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PROPERTIES
OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The student will investigate and understand that air has properties and that Earth’s atmosphere has structure and is dynamic.
Key ideas include:
c) properties of the atmosphere change with altitude
to DIFFERENTIATE between the layers of the atmosphere in terms of general characteristics and changes in altitude
How do atmospheric properties change with altitude?
The atmosphere is made up of layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere) that have distinct characteristics.
The troposphere starts at ground level and extends 10 km above sea level. Most of the mass (75-80%) of the atmosphere comes from the troposphere. Helicopters and jets fly in the troposphere.
99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. Because of this, you find most clouds in this layer.
Air is warmest at the bottom of the troposphere near ground level. That's why the peaks of tall mountains can be snow-covered even in the summertime.
3
The stratosphere extends from 10-50 km above sea level.
Ozone (O ), an unusual type of oxygen molecule, is found in the stratosphere. Ozone absorbs thermal energy from incoming ultraviolet radiation.
Opposite of the troposphere, temperatures rise as altitude increases in the stratosphere. Commercial airplanes fly in the stratosphere.
The mesosphere measures 50-85 km above sea level. Temperatures decrease with altitude in the mesosphere. Temperatures can reach as low as -130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meteors burn up in the mesosphere and leave behind lingering material. Because of this, the mesosphere has a high concentration of iron and other metals.
The mesosphere contains very little air (only 0.1%) and contains only He and H.
The thermosphere measures about 90-500 km above sea level. Temperatures rise in the thermosphere, then begin to level off.
Gases begin to separate in the thermosphere. Atomic oxygen(O), nitrogen (N) , and helium (He) are the main components of air in the thermosphere.