The Atmosphere Diagram

Thermosphere Atmospheric layer above the mesosphere and farthest away from Earth’s surface with an altitude starting at 80 km; high temperatures (as high as above 2000 °C) due to nitrogen and oxygen absorbing energy from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation; despite the high temperatures, the thermosphere would not feel hot because there are no enough particles to transfer the heat; low level satellites are found in this layer; the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, occur in this layer above the poles. Layer: ThermosphereAtmospheric layer above the mesosphere and farthest away from Earth’s surface with an altitude starting at 80 km; high temperatures (as high as above 2000 °C) due to nitrogen and oxygen absorbing energy from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation; despite the high temperatures, the thermosphere would not feel hot because there are no enough particles to transfer the heat; low level satellites are found in this layer; the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, occur in this layer above the poles. Mesosphere Atmospheric layer above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere with an altitude range of 50 km to 80 km; atmospheric layer with the coldest temperature, temperatures have been measured as low as -93°C; meteors typically burn up in this atmospheric layer before reaching the Earth’s surface. Layer: MesosphereAtmospheric layer above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere with an altitude range of 50 km to 80 km; atmospheric layer with the coldest temperature, temperatures have been measured as low as -93°C; meteors typically burn up in this atmospheric layer before reaching the Earth’s surface. Stratosphere Atmospheric layer above the troposphere and below the mesosphere with an altitude range of 18 km to 50 km; atmospheric layer where the ozone (O₃) layer is found in the upper portion; temperatures increase with increased altitude due to ozone layer absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation Layer: StratosphereAtmospheric layer above the troposphere and below the mesosphere with an altitude range of 18 km to 50 km; atmospheric layer where the ozone (O₃) layer is found in the upper portion; temperatures increase with increased altitude due to ozone layer absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation Troposphere Atmospheric layer nearest Earth’s surface with an altitude range of 0 km to 18 km; atmospheric layer where we live and other forms of life live; almost all weather occurs in this atmospheric layer such as rain, sleet, snow, hurricanes, tornados, etc.; atmospheric layer with the highest density; average temperature is 5°C; temperature decreases as altitude increases; most commercial airlines fly in the upper portion of the troposphere. Atmospheric layer nearest Earth’s surface with an altitude range of 0 km to 18 km; atmospheric layer where we live and other forms of life live; almost all weather occurs in this atmospheric layer such as rain, sleet, snow, hurricanes, tornados, etc.; atmospheric layer with the highest density; average temperature is 5°C; temperature decreases as altitude increases; most commercial airlines fly in the upper portion of the troposphere. The Layers of the Atmosphere Altitude-Pressure-Density Relationship As the distance above Earth increases, or as the altitude increases, there are less and less gas particles in the atmosphere, therefore density and pressure decrease with increasing altitude. The Atmosphere Altitude-Pressure-Density RelationshipAs the distance above Earth increases, or as the altitude increases, there are less and less gas particles in the atmosphere, therefore density and pressure decrease with increasing altitude. Layer of the Atmosphere Altitude Troposphere 0 km - 18 km Stratosphere 18 km - 50 km Mesosphere 50 km - 80 km Thermosphere starts at 80 km Layer of the Atmosphere Distance from Earth's Surface Troposphere Closest to Earth's Surface Stratosphere Second Closest to Earth's Surface Mesosphere Third Closest to Earth's Surface Thermosphere Greatest Distance from Earth's Surface Layer of the Atmosphere Density Troposphere Greatest Density Stratosphere Second Greatest Density Mesosphere Third Greatest Density Thermosphere Least Dense Layer Layer of the Atmosphere Pressure Troposphere Greatest Pressure Stratosphere Second Greatest Pressure Mesosphere Third Greatest Pressure Thermosphere Lowest Pressure Layer of the Atmosphere Temperature Troposphere Average Temperature is 5 °C Stratosphere increasing temperatures in the area with Ozone (O₃) Mesosphere coldest layer, temperatures as low as -93°C Thermosphere hottest layer up to 2000 °C, but does not feel hot because there is not enough particles to transfer the energy