Layers of the Atmosphere

The mass of all the atmospheric layers combined adds up to 1.10231131 × 10 19 lbs;
approximately 80 percent of which can be attributed to the troposphere alone. Each
of these layers have some unique characteristics―details of which are discussed
below.

Troposphere: The first layer of the Earth's atmosphere, troposphere starts from the
surface of the planet and extends up to a vertical distance of 4.34 miles near the
poles and 10.56 miles near the equator. The temperature of troposphere decreases
with altitude, which means that the lowest part of the layer is the warmest at any
given point of time. This can be attributed to the fact that this layer is most often
heated by transfer of energy from the surface. On an average, the temperature here
drops at a rate of approximately 6.5°C per 1000 meters in a phenomenon referred to
as the Environmental Lapse Rate. Troposphere is separated from stratosphere by
the atmospheric boundary referred to as the tropopause.

Stratosphere: The second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, stratosphere extends

from tropopause to a vertical distance of 32 miles. Unlike troposphere, the
temperature in stratosphere increases with altitude. This layer contains
approximately 19.9 percent of the total mass of the atmosphere. The temperature in
this layer remains constant with altitude for the first 5.59 miles, but increases for next
12.42 to 31.06 miles. The ozone layer, which is very crucial for lifeforms on the
Earth, also lies in this zone. Stratosphere is separated from mesosphere by the
atmospheric boundary referred to as the stratopause.

Mesosphere: The third layer of the atmosphere, mesosphere extends from

stratopause to a vertical distance of around 50 - 53 miles. In mesosphere,
temperature decreases with altitude. It is separated from the thermosphere by the
mesopause, which is also the coldest part of the Earth, with a temperature of around
-100°C (-148.0°F). Mesosphere is the layer wherein most of the meteors burn when
they enter the atmosphere.

Thermosphere: The fourth and also the biggest of the atmospheric layers,
thermosphere extends to a vertical distance of around 220 - 500 miles. In this layer,
the temperature increases with altitude and can reach up to 1200°C at times. The
oxygen molecules in this zone contributes to the rising temperature by absorbing
intense solar radiation. Located within the thermosphere is ionosphere, a layer which
contains electrically charged gas particles that help in transmission of radio signals.
The highest point of thermosphere, thermopause, and the lowest point of the
exosphere, exobase, combine to form an atmospheric boundary between the two
layers.
 Exosphere: The outermost layer of the atmosphere, exosphere extends from
thermospause into the space. This layer is mainly made up of hydrogen and helium.
Though the definite boundary of this layer is not known, scientists believe that it
extends for a vertical distance of 6200 miles. That, however, is not supported by
substantial evidence, so thermosphere is referred to as the biggest among all these
layers of the planet's atmosphere.

Each of these layers play a crucial role in making Earth the only planet with life.
Without this protective covering, the Earth would have been as 'dead' as the other
planets in the universe.
 Weather Instruments
A THERMOMETER measures the air temperature. Most thermometers are closed
glass tubes containing liquids such as alcohol or mercury. When air around the tube
heats the liquid, the liquid expands and moves up the tube. A scale then shows what
the actual temperature is.

A BAROMETER measures air pressure. It tells you whether or not the pressure is
rising or falling. A rising barometer means sunny and dry conditions, while a falling
barometer means stormy and wet conditions. An Italian scientist named Torricelli
built the first barometer in 1643.
 A SLING PSYCHROMETER measures relative humidity, using the cooling effect of
evaporation. Two thermometers are used in a sling psychrometer. Wet the cloth of
one of the thermometers and swing the psychrometer around a few times. Water
evaporates from the cloth, causing the temperatures on that thermometer to be lower
than the other.

A RAIN GAUGE measures the amount of rain that has fallen over a specific time
period.
A WIND VANE is an instrument that determines the direction from which the wind is
blowing.

An ANEMOMETER measures wind speed. The cups catch the wind, turning a dial
attached to the instrument. The dial shows the wind speed.
A WIND SOCK is a conical textile tube, which resembles a giant sock, designed to
indicate wind direction and relative wind speed.

WEATHER MAPS indicate atmospheric conditions above a large portion of the

Earth’s surface. Meteorologists use weather maps to forecast the weather.
A HYGROMETER measures the water vapor content of air or the humidity.

A WEATHER BALLOON measures weather conditions higher up in the

atmosphere.
 A COMPASS is a navigational instrument for finding directions.

WEATHER SATELLITES are used to photograph and track large-scale air

movements. Then meteorologists compile and analyze the data with the help of
computers.
ASSIGNMENT
IN
SCIENCE
Submitted by:

Rosalie Joy I. Vicente

VI-Dinagyang

Submitted to:

Mrs. Salcedo
Teacher

February 12, 2018