Final answer:
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five layers.
- Troposphere: This is the layer closest to the Earth's surface, extending up to about 12 kilometers. It is where most weather events occur, and it is where humans live and breathe.
- Stratosphere: Above the troposphere, reaching up to about 50 kilometers, is the stratosphere. This layer contains the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.
- Mesosphere: Going higher, the mesosphere extends from about 50 to 80 kilometers. Meteors burn up in this layer of the atmosphere.
- Thermosphere: The thermosphere is located between 80 and 700 kilometers above the Earth's surface. It is characterized by very high temperatures but low density of air molecules.
- Exosphere: Finally, the exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, extending beyond 700 kilometers. It gradually merges with space.