Earth's Atmosphere

Discover Earth's atmosphere layers! This worksheet covers the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere with fun facts and diagrams.

Layers of Earth's Atmosphere The atmosphere surrounding Earth is made up of several layers of gas mixtures. The most common gases in our atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The amount of the gases in the mixture varies above the different places on Earth.The atmosphere puts pressure on the planet. The amount of pressure becomes less and less the further away from Earth’s surface you are. When we think of the atmosphere, we mostly think of the part that is closest to us. At any moment in time, the overall condition of Earth’s atmosphere, including the part we can see and the parts we cannot, is called weather. Weather can change, and it frequently does. That is because the conditions of the atmosphere can change.The four main layers in Earth’s atmosphere are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere and the thermosphere. The layer that is closest to the surface of Earth is called the troposphere. It extends up from the surface of Earth for about 11 kilometers. This is the layer where airplanes fly. We experience almost all weather in this layer. About three-fourths of our atmosphere’s air is also found in the troposphere.Just above the troposphere is the stratosphere. It extends to about 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface. Most of our planet’s ozone layer is in this colder, drier layer. Ozone is important to the health of our planet because it helps keep some of the sun’s dangerous radiation from reaching the Earth’s surface.If we continue upward, the next layer is the mesosphere, which extends up to about 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface. The mesosphere is extremely cold. It is within this layer that you are most likely to find meteors. Most meteors will completely burn up before they reach Earth’s surface.The final layer is the thermosphere, the layer that is closest to the sun. Temperatures in the thermosphere can be over 1,500º Celsius. Together, the layers of our atmosphere protect Earth. The atmosphere provides the conditions needed to support life. Which layer of the atmosphere contains most of the air? Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere What are the most common gases in Earth's atmosphere? Nitrogen Carbon Dioxide Oxygen All of these Which layer of the atmosphere contains weather? Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Which layer of the atmosphere contains ozone? Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Which layer of the atmosphere contains meteors? Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Which layer of the atmosphere is the hottest? Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Weather BalloonScientists use weather balloons to carry measuring tools or instruments up into the atmosphere to measure and record a variety of things. As you watch the video, listen for the kinds of things weather balloons measure. What are two things a weather balloon measures? What is the purpose of a weather balloon? Look at the sample data from a weather balloon. What do you notice? Earth's Amazing Atmosphere!Follow the directions to draw and label the diagram of Earth's atmosphere. 1. Label each layer of Earth's atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Use the reading from above for help.2. There is no clear boundary between the uppermost layer of the atmosphere and space. The atmosphere becomes thinner and thinner and blends into space.At the very top of the diagram, write the word space with an arrow pointing up.3. The ozone layer is in the upper part of the atmospheric layer that contains most of the atmosphere’s ozone (look back at the reading for which layer this is!). Use the symbol for ozone to draw in the ozone layer on the diagram.4. The ozone layer is important because it absorbs ultraviolet radiation. Draw a wavy line coming from space to represent the UV radiation that is absorbed by the ozone layer.5. The thermosphere contains ions, which are electrically charged particles. When nitrogen and oxygen atoms absorb solar energy, they become ions. Draw the ions in the thermosphere. Remember that the thermosphere is very thin, so you only need to draw a few of these!6. The troposphere is the densest layer of the atmosphere. It is much denser than the other layers. Use the symbol for density in the key (dots) and fill this layer with A LOT of dots to indicate how dense it is.7. The stratosphere is very thin. Add less dots to represent a lower density here.8. The mesosphere is even less dense than the stratosphere. Add even less dots here.