Final answer:
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere and contains most weather phenomena, including clouds and precipitation. It extends up to about 11-13 km above the Earth's surface, and air temperature and density decrease with altitude.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of the Earth's atmosphere that contains virtually all air, clouds, and precipitation is called the troposphere. This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from Earth's surface to an altitude of about 11-13 km (7-8 miles). Weather phenomena such as rain, snow, and clouds occur within the troposphere, and as altitude increases, air density and temperature both decrease.
The Earth's atmosphere is composed of several distinct layers beyond the troposphere including the stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the exosphere. The majority of the ozone in the atmosphere resides in the stratosphere, which protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation. However, most of our weather and the entirety of human activities occur within the troposphere, making it the most critical layer for our day-to-day weather and climate.