Podcast
Questions and Answers
Explain the formation of the earth's atmosphere and the gases released during the evolution of the solid earth.
The earth's atmosphere formed over four billion years ago during the evolution of the solid earth. Volcanic eruptions released gases into the developing atmosphere, including water vapor (H2O), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrochloric acid (HCl), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen (N2), and sulfur gases.
What is the approximate extent of the earth's atmosphere and where does it transition to interplanetary space?
The earth's atmosphere extends outward to about 1,000 kilometers where it transitions to interplanetary space.
Where is most of the mass of the earth's atmosphere located?
Most of the mass of the atmosphere (greater than 99 percent) is located within the first 40 kilometers.
What are the main sources of radiant energy in the atmosphere, and what are the respective radiation spans?
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What does the vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere depend upon?
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Most of the mass of the earth's atmosphere is located within the first 100 kilometers
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The sun's radiation in the atmosphere spans the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light regions
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The earth's radiation in the atmosphere is mostly visible light
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The vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere is constant and does not vary
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The outgassing during the evolution of the solid earth did not include nitrogen gas
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