Exploring Earth's Atmospheric Layers

Earth's atmosphere is a complex layer of gases surrounding our planet, held together by gravity. It supports life, protects from solar radiation, and plays a crucial role in climate regulation.

Air is not just oxygen. It's primarily nitrogen (78%), followed by oxygen (21%), and trace amounts of other gases including argon, carbon dioxide, and noble gases.

The troposphere is the lowest layer where weather occurs. Temperature decreases with altitude. It contains about 80% of the atmosphere's mass and extends roughly 8 to 15 kilometers high.

Above the troposphere, the stratosphere extends to 50 kilometers. It houses the vital ozone layer, which absorbs the majority of the Sun's harmful UV radiation. Interestingly, temperature increases with altitude here.

Reaching up to 85 kilometers, the mesosphere is where most meteors burn up upon entry, resulting in meteor showers. It's the coldest layer, with temperatures plunging below -85°C.

Extending from 85 to 600 kilometers, the thermosphere is where the International Space Station orbits. It's characterized by extremely high temperatures that can exceed 2,000°C due to solar activity.

The exosphere, over 600 kilometers high, gradually fades into space. Here, molecules travel hundreds of kilometers without colliding, often escaping into space, which is why the air is extremely thin.

Sound travels faster at higher altitudes due to warmer temperatures, reaching over 1,200 km/h in the thermosphere.