WELCOME

STRUCTURE OF THE
ATMOSPHERE

From the earths surface upwards, there is a

change in temperature. Based on this change
in temperature the atmosphere has been
divided into four different layers.

Troposphere

The atmospheric layer close to the earths surface is

troposphere.
According to the latitude and seasons the height of the
troposphere varies.
At poles it is about 8 kms and at the equator it is about 17
kms.
The extent of the troposphere is influenced by the changes in
temperature.
The phenomena like clouds, rain, snow, thunderstorm etc are
found only in the troposphere.

Stratosphere

In the lower part of stratosphere, the temperature is constant.

As the height increases temperature does not vary.
The ultraviolet rays of the sun absorb the oxygen molecules
and split them into oxygen atoms which aid the formation of
ozone in this layer.
The ozone that is produced in this layer is known as the
ozone layer which protects the earth.
The transitional zone above the stratosphere is stratospause.

Mesosphere

The atmospheric layer that extends from 50 km to 80 km

above the sea level is mesosphere.
As the height increases, the temperature in the mesosphere
decreases.
In the upper part of the mesosphere, the temperature
decreases from -83 degree and -100 degree Celsius
The transitional zone above the stratosphere is stratopause.
The transitional zone above this where the temperature
remains steady is called mesopause.

Thermosphere

This is an area where the temperature increases abruptly

The part of the thermosphere from above 80 kms to 400 kms
above the earths surface is called ionosphere
Due to ionization process the temperature in this part of the
atmosphere increases considerably.
Ionization occurs more during the day and the zone is
inactive during night.
Ionosphere reflects radiowaves. During day times the
ionosphere is well developed and hence it reflects radio waves
effectively.

CONCLUSION
TheEarth's atmosphereis an envelope of gas
that surrounds theEarth. Atmosphere becoming
increasingly thinner with distance but always
held in place by Earth's gravitational pull. The
atmosphere contains the air we breathe and it
holds clouds of moisture that become the water
we drink. It protects us frommeteorsand
harmfulsolar radiation from the Earth's surface.