STRUCTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE

The Atmosphere is divided into layers according to major changes in temperature. Gravity
pushes the layers of air down on the earth's surface. This push is called air pressure. 99% of
the total mass of the atmosphere is below 32 kilometers.

Troposphere 0 to 12 km - Contains 75% of the gases in

the atmosphere. This is where you live and where weather
occurs. As height increases, temperature decreases. The
temperature drops about 6.5 degrees Celsius for every
kilometer above the earth's surface or (3.6F/1000ft.)

The lowest part of the troposphere is further divided into

three sub-layers: the friction layer, the surface layer and
the laminar layer. The height of the friction layer is about
1km from the surface of the earth. In this layer the surface
topography controls the wind speed and its direction. The
surface boundary layer extends upto a few meters from the
earths surface, whereas the laminar layer compromises
only a few millimeters. In this sub-layer the air is held almost stationary around all solid
and liquid surfaces by molecules forces. It provides thermal insulation.

o Tropopause at the top of the troposphere there is a shallow layer separating it

from the next layer of the atmosphere, i.e., the stratosphere. This shallow layer is
known as the tropopause. The word tropopause has also been taken from the
Greek word which literally means, where the mixing stops it was Sir Napier
Shaw who for the first time used this word. Because of warm temperatures and
highly developed thermal mixing the tropopause has its greatest height near the
equator, i.e., about 18kms. It is interesting to note that the lowest temperatures in
the entire troposphere are found directly over the equator and not at the poles.
o Stratosphere 12 to 50 km- the Stratosphere begins at the
tropopause, which forms its lower boundary. The lower stratosphere is
isothermal in character. In other words, the temperature in the lower part of this
sphere doesnt change with altitude. In certain situations, there may be slight
increase in temperature with elevation. This temperature region is found to be
present up to about 30 kilometers. There is also persistent of its circulation
patterns and high winds speeds. The circulation changes, if they occur at all, are
very rapid. Cirrus clouds, called the mother-of-pearl cloud, occasionally form in
the lower stratosphere. Above troposphere no visible weather phenomena ever
occur. There is a gradual temperature increase with height beyond 20
kilometers. The region is known as the upper stratosphere. The thickness of the
stratosphere is highest at the poles. The upper boundary of the stratosphere is
called the Stratopause.

o Mesosphere (Ozonosphere) -The mesosphere (from the Greek words

mesos = middle and sphaira = ball) is the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is
directly above the stratosphere and directly below the thermosphere. The
mesosphere is located about 50 to 85 kilometers (30 to 50 miles) above the
Earth's surface. The temperature drops in this layer to about -100 degrees
Celsius. This is the coldest region of the atmosphere. This layer protects the
earth from meteoroids. They burn up in this area. Millions of meteors enter the
atmosphere, an average of 40 tons per day. 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. The general agreement among scientists that this warm layer is due
mainly to the selective absorption of ultra-violet radiation by ozone. In fact, the
ozone layer acts as a filter for the ultra-violet rays of the sun. Because of its
inherent quality to absorb short-wave radiation its usefulness to climate cannot
be overemphasized. The presence of this layer is undoubtedly boon to
humanity. In the absence of ozone in the upper atmosphere, the much harmful
ultra-violet radiation would reach the earth in large amounts. Such an event
could lead to disastrous consequences. This radiation in excessive quantity
would render men and animals blind. This would also burn mans skin, increase
the incidence of skin cancer, a dreadful diseases, and destroy many
microscopic forms of life.

o Thermosphere The air is very thin. Its a Greek word (thermos) means
heat, the thermosphere begins about 80 km above the earth. The temperature is
very high in this layer because ultraviolet radiation is turned into heat.
Temperatures often reach 2000 degrees Celsius or more. This layer contains:

Ionosphere This is the lower part of the thermosphere. It extends from

about 80 to 550 km. Gas particles absorb ultraviolet and X-ray radiation
from the sun. The particles of gas become electrically charged (ions).
Radio waves are bounced off the ions and reflect waves back to earth.
This generally helps radio communication. However, solar flares can
increase the number of ions and can interfere with the transmission of
some radio waves.

Exosphere the upper part of the thermosphere. It extends from about

550 km for thousands of kilometers. Air is very thin here. This is the area
where satellites orbit the earth.
Magnetosphere the area around the earth that extends beyond the
atmosphere. The earth's magnetic field operates here. It begins at about
1000 km. It is made up of positively charged protons and negatively
charged electrons. This traps the particles that are given off by the sun.
They are concentrated into belts or layers called the Van Allen radiation
belts. The Van Allen belts trap deadly radiation. When large amounts are
given off during a solar flare, the particles collide with each other causing
the aurora borealis or the northern lights.