The root atm means smoke or vapor

The Atmosphere

Here are the layers of the atmosphere

The Atmosphere covers the whole earth!

Exosphere – (exo) meaning outer or beyond, so this is the outermost layer of our atmosphere. where the atmosphere thins out and merges with interplanetary space.

Thermosphere – (thermo) meaning temperature. Within this layer, ultraviolet radiation (UV) causes ionization. The thermosphere begins about 85 kilometers (53 mi) above the Earth. At these high altitudes, the residual atmospheric gases sort into strata according to molecular mass. Thermospheric temperatures increase with altitude due to absorption of highly energetic solar radiation.

Mesophere – (meso) meaning ball in Greek. The upper boundary of the mesosphere is the mesopause it is the coldest part of Earth's atmosphere. This sphere generates waves and strong zonal (East-West) winds.

Stratosphere- about 8 to 30 miles high, no weather occurs in the stratosphere. The stratosphere is 15% of the total mass of the atmosphere, and is where the ozone layer is located. Air temperature slowly increases with height in the stratosphere.

Troposphere- is the lowest major atmospheric layer, reaching from the Earth's surface up to the bottom of the stratosphere. The troposphere is where all of Earth's weather occurs. It contains approximately 80% of the total mass of the atmosphere.

General Information

Since the atmosphere covers the whole earth and more, it affects is interacting with multiple spheres.

• The weather happens in the Troposphere and regulates the environment on earth.

• The moon that is in the Exosphere affects the tides of the ocean.

• The wind produced in the Troposphere erodes rocks and other objects

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RXmD_QJYdw

• along with acid rain which also erodes statues and rocks.

Sphere Interactions

This graph show the sun’s energy transfer through the atmosphere.

How does the Energy Flow?

• The mesosphere lies above the maximum altitude for aircraft and below the minimum altitude for orbital spacecraft. It has only been accessed through the use of sounding rockets. As a result, it is the most poorly understood part of the atmosphere.

• Millions of meteors enter the atmosphere, an average of 40 tons per year. Within the mesosphere most melt or vaporize as a result of collisions with the gas particles contained there. This results in a higher concentration of iron and other refractory materials reaching the surface.

Fun Facts