Atmospheric Structure and Composition

Definitions
Atmosphere: The thin envelope of gases surrounding the earth Highly compressible
Density decreases rapidly with height Air: A mechanical mixture of gases and aerosols

Vertical Structure of Atmosphere

Troposphere

(surface to 8-20 km) Upper boundary varies from about 8 km (poles in winter) to about 20 km (tropics) Weather and climate layer Most of atmospheres mass; all of its water

Vertical Structure of Atmosphere

Stratosphere

(8-20 km up to about 50 km) Ozone (O3) Layer Temperature inversion

Vertical Structure
Mesosphere

(50-80 km)

Temperature decreases with height.

Thermosphere

(80-480 km)

Temperature inversion.

Vertical Structure
Transition

zones between layers

Tropopause Stratopause Mesopause

Composition of the Air

Uniform

gases Nitrogen (N2) 78%, (O2) 21%, Argon (Ar) 1%, trace gases (Neon, Helium, Methane (CH4), etc.) gases Water Vapor (H2Ov), O3, CO2

Variable

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