Final answer:
The Earth's atmosphere is a gaseous layer that surrounds our planet and consists of various gases. It is divided into five layers, with the troposphere being the lowest and most important layer for weather events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Earth's atmosphere is the gaseous layer that surrounds our planet.
It is composed of several types of gas, including nitrogen (77%) and oxygen (21%), along with minor elements like argon, helium, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The atmosphere is divided into five layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere, with each layer having distinctive characteristics.
The troposphere is the lowest layer, extending up to 12 km above sea level, and is responsible for most weather events.