Earth's atmosphere
Earth's Atmosphere
The Earth's atmosphere (/ɜːrθz ætməsfɪər/) is a layer of gases, commonly known as air, that surrounds the planet Earth and is retained by Earth's gravity.
Etymology
The term "atmosphere" is derived from the Ancient Greek words "ἀτμός" (atmos), meaning 'vapor', and "σφαῖρα" (sphaira), meaning 'sphere'.
Composition
The Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases including Argon, Carbon Dioxide, and Neon.
Layers
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers: the Troposphere, the Stratosphere, the Mesosphere, the Thermosphere, and the Exosphere. Each layer has unique characteristics and is defined by variations in temperature.
Troposphere
The Troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It extends from Earth's surface to an average height of about 12 km.
Stratosphere
The Stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It extends from the top of the Troposphere to about 50 km above the Earth's surface.
Mesosphere
The Mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It extends from the top of the Stratosphere to about 85 km above the Earth's surface.
Thermosphere
The Thermosphere is the fourth layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It extends from the top of the Mesosphere to about 600 km above the Earth's surface.
Exosphere
The Exosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It extends from the top of the Thermosphere to about 10,000 km above the Earth's surface.
Related Terms
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