Layers-of-the-atmosphere.pptx

LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Continuation of LESSON 1  ATMOSPHERE The word atmosphere comes from the Greek word “atmos” meaning vapor; steam and “sphaîra” means sphere. The envelope of gases surrounding the earth. The atmosphere has a layered structure. ...

LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Continuation of LESSON 1  ATMOSPHERE The word atmosphere comes from the Greek word “atmos” meaning vapor; steam and “sphaîra” means sphere. The envelope of gases surrounding the earth. The atmosphere has a layered structure.  TROPOSPHERE is the atmosphere's lowest layer, and it extends upwards to 12 miles above the surface of our planet. It is the layer where most of the Earth's weather occurs. It is also the layer that contains the majority of the atmosphere's mass, almost 80 percent of it. This layer is warmer in its lower parts because the ground heats it.  STRATOSPHERE is the layer that can be found at the heights between 12 and 31 miles above the Earth's surface. The difference between this layer and the troposphere is that the temperatures begin to rise with height in the stratosphere. Another important thing we need to mention about the stratosphere is that it is the place where the ozone layer is found. The ozone layer is what protects us, along with other biological organisms, from ultraviolet radiation.  MESOSPHERE This layer of the atmosphere extends between the heights of 31 to 53 miles above the surface of our planet. Airplanes do not fly high enough to be able to reach it, and satellites orbit the planet at much higher altitudes. The most important purpose is that most meteors, which are on the way to impact the Earth, burn up in this layer of the atmosphere. This makes the mesosphere an important line of defense for our planet.  THERMOSPHERE It is also the largest layer, extending between altitudes of 53 and 621 miles. This boundary that cuts through the thermosphere is known as the Karman line. The International Astronautical Federation recognizes this line as the official boundary of space. All satellites and the International Space Station orbit our planet by passing through the thermosphere. However, there is one other layer of gas that can be found above the thermosphere  EXOSPHERE the exosphere is the highest part of the atmosphere where the density of gas molecules is very low. It consists of helium, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Many consider it to be an official part of our planet's atmosphere, but the air density is so low in it, that it is officially regarded as interplanetary space.  HYDROSPHERE Is the layer of Earth that is composed of all the water. Nearly three-fourths of Earth is covered in water. The hydrosphere includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air. A planet's hydrosphere can be liquid, vapor, or ice. On Earth, liquid water exists on the surface in the form of oceans, lakes, and rivers. It also exists below ground—as groundwater, in wells and aquifers. Water vapor is most visible as clouds and fog.  WATER CYCLE Water moves through the hydrosphere in a cycle. Water collects in clouds, then falls to Earth in the form of rain or snow. This water collects in rivers, lakes and oceans. Then it evaporates into the atmosphere to start the cycle all over again. This is called the water cycle.  DIFFERENT WATER BODIES Ocean, Freshwater, Groundwater, Ice Caps and Glaciers, Swamps, Lakes, Rivers, Surface water and others. Ocean or Saline water is consist of 97% and 3% of FRESHWATER: it consist of Freshwater.  68.7%- Ice caps and Glaciers The 3% of freshwater is  30.1%- Groundwater divided into:  0.30%- surface water Groundwater and Ice  0.9%- others. caps and glaciers, surface water and others.  DIFFERENT WATER BODIES The 0.30% surface water is also divided into three: Surface water: Lakes 87%- Lakes Swamps 11%- Swamps 2%- Rivers Rivers  IMPORTANT ROLE OF HYDROSPHERE: The major importance of the hydrosphere is that water sustains various life forms. To regulate Earth’s temperature and Climate. The ocean absorbs heat from the sun and interacts with the atmosphere to move the heat around the Earth in air currents. The hydrosphere covers all water present on the surface of the earth.  LITHOSPHERE The lithosphere is the outermost layer of Earth, composed of the crust and the brittle part of the upper mantle. The term lithosphere is derived from the Greek words "lithos," meaning stone, and "sphaira," meaning globe or ball. Earth’s solid shell It consists of the crust and upper portion of the mantle. It extends from Earth’s surface about 100 km downward. COMPOSITION OF THE EARTH’S LITHOSPHERE  EARTH’S LITHOSPHERE It consist of Rocks and Minerals which are made of several elements such as silicon, iron, and magnesium with other elements like aluminum, sodium, and potassium. The mantle contains more iron than the lithosphere but the lithosphere has more silica (silicon and oxygen), especially in the continental lithosphere. The most abundant elements in the lithosphere are called SILICATES. QUARTZ is the most common silicate in the lithosphere and most common type of rock on Earth.