Question

Summarize the features of the earth’s atmosphere. What are the main gases? Be sure to name the various layers. What is a temperature inversion and what layer(s) can an inversion occur in besides the troposphere.

Answer 1

The Earth's atmosphere consists of five layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The main gases in the Earth's atmosphere are nitrogen (77%), oxygen (21%), and small amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, among others. A temperature inversion occurs when the temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing as expected, and it can occur in the stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Earth's atmosphere consists of five main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

1. Troposphere:

The troposphere is the lowest layer and is where weather occurs. It contains about 75% of the Earth's atmosphere and is where all the Earth's weather occurs.

2. Stratosphere:

The stratosphere is above the troposphere and contains the ozone layer, which helps protect us from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is also where airplanes fly.

3. Mesosphere:

The mesosphere is above the stratosphere and is the layer where meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.

4. Thermosphere:

The thermosphere is above the mesosphere and contains high-energy particles that are energized by the Sun. The northern lights or auroras occur in this layer.

5. Exosphere:

The exosphere is the outermost layer and extends into space. It is extremely thin and contains few molecules.

Main Gases in the Earth's Atmosphere:

The main gases in the Earth's atmosphere are nitrogen (77%), oxygen (21%), and small amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, among others.

Temperature Inversion:

A temperature inversion occurs when the temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing as expected. This can happen in the stratosphere and mesosphere, as well as in the thermosphere.

Answer 2

The earth’s atmosphere is composed of (in order from lowest of highest);

1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere

The density of the molecules of air reduce with increase in altitude. Therefore the higher layers have low air density that those below them.

The exosphere (the outermost layer) extends to outer space and is composed of lighter gases such as helium, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and atomic oxygen.

The rest of the layers consist of molecular oxygen, atomic oxygen, molecule nitrogen, atomic nitrogen, and hydrogen.

The thermosphere has a temperature inversion – increase in temperatures with altitude. This is due to absorption of UV by the ozone layer; the highest ozone layers absorb most of the UV.