The Earth is surrounded by different gases that form the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a huge band of colorless gases, dust particles and water vapor that is about 300 miles (483 km) high.
Do we need it?
The atmosphere acts like a blanket, keeping out harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun. The atmosphere allows the warmth of the Sun to touch the Earth. But it also keeps some of this warmth trapped so that the Earth stays warm enough to support life. The gases in the atmosphere make up the air that we breathe.
How did they get there?
The atmosphere was formed when gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and water vapor were let out from inside the Earth. There is no exact point where the atmosphere ends. It just gets thinner and lighter and blends into outer space.
Fact: If you went soaring through the atmosphere in a hot air balloon, you would find it harder to breathe the higher you went as the atmosphere got thinner.
Layered like an onion
Exosphere: outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Stretches from about 400 miles (1,287 km) high.
Lonoshere: stretches from about 43-50 miles (69- 80 km) to about 400 miles (644 km) away from the Earth.
Mesosphere: extends between 31 miles (50 km) to about 50 miles ( 80 km). The temperature falls quickly the higher you go.
Stratosphere: the belt between 11 miles (18 km) and 31 miles (50 km) above the Earth. This is where the ozone layer is. The ozone layer absorbs harmful rays from the Sun. You'd find high clouds in the lower stratosphere.
Troposphere: the air band closest to Earth, stretching from the surface to about 11 miles (18 km) high. This is where you'd find clouds and weather. Warmest near Earth, it cools as you travel up. Its upper boundary is called the tropopause.
Fact: The troposphere is where you find life on Earth.
DID YOU KNOW? Most of the atmosphere is nitrogen ( 78 per cent). About 21 per cent is oxygen. Just 0.9 per cent is argon, and carbon dioxide makes up 0.03 per cent. The rest is tiny amounts of other gases.
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The Earth
Non-FictionDiscover our amazing planet! If you would like to know more about anything about the Earth you may comment down below. "Oh," and just to tell you this is not my information, I am just sharing this information with you, if you don't have this book. I...
