The document summarizes the composition and structure of the atmosphere. It states that the atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and dust particles. The composition varies with altitude, and 99% of the atmosphere's mass is within 32 km of the Earth's surface. The structure of the atmosphere consists of five layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - each characterized by variations in temperature with altitude.
The document summarizes the composition and structure of the atmosphere. It states that the atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and dust particles. The composition varies with altitude, and 99% of the atmosphere's mass is within 32 km of the Earth's surface. The structure of the atmosphere consists of five layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - each characterized by variations in temperature with altitude.
The document summarizes the composition and structure of the atmosphere. It states that the atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and dust particles. The composition varies with altitude, and 99% of the atmosphere's mass is within 32 km of the Earth's surface. The structure of the atmosphere consists of five layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - each characterized by variations in temperature with altitude.
The document summarizes the composition and structure of the atmosphere. It states that the atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and dust particles. The composition varies with altitude, and 99% of the atmosphere's mass is within 32 km of the Earth's surface. The structure of the atmosphere consists of five layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - each characterized by variations in temperature with altitude.
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Composition of Atmosphere –
Geography Study Material & Notes
The composition of Atmosphere is said to be a mixture of different gases. It envelops around the Earth. 99% of total mas of atmosphere is confined to highest of 32 km from the Earth’s surface.
Permanent gases of the Atmosphere
Atmosphere is consists of various gases, water vapour and dust particles.
The presence of oxygen becomes negligible at the height of 120 km from the surface of earth with regards to the composition of atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and water vapour occur only upto 90 km. Carbon dioxide is meteorically very important as it is transparent to incoming solar radiation but opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation. It is also responsible for greenhouse effect. Ozone gas: 10-50 km above earth surface and acts as filter, absorbing ultraviolet rays from the sun. Ozone prevents the rays from reaching the surface of earth. Water vapour is variable gas, decreases with altitude. It also decreases from equator towards the poles. Acts like blanket allowing the earth to neither to become too cold nor too hot. Also contributes to the stability and instability in the air. Dust particles: are in higher concentration in subtropical and temperate regions due to dry winds in comparison to equatorial and polar regions. Dust particles act as a hygroscopic nuclei over which water vapour of atmosphere condenses to produce clouds.
The composition of atmosphere varies with local environmental factors also.
Structure of Atmosphere: There are five layers in the structure of atmosphere depending upon temperature.
I. Troposphere:
It is the lowermost layer.
13 km height average with 8 km at poles and 18 km at equator (lesser at poles and greater at equator). The thickness is 18 km at equator because heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents. This layer has adult particles and water vapour. Climate and weather changes occur here. Temperature decreases at rate of 1 degrees celcius for every 165 m of height. Zone separating troposphere from stratosphere is called tropopause. Temperature at tropopause is minus eighty degrees celcius over equator and minus forty five degrees celcius over the poles. This remains constant through the year.
II. Stratosphere
It is found above the troposphere.
extends upto 50 km of height. Has ozone layer – absorbs ultraviolet radiation and shields life on earth from harmful energy.
III. Mesosphere:
Above stratosphere reaches till 80 km height.
Temperature decreases with altitude here, by 80 km it reaches minus hundred degrees
celcius . The upper limit is called mesopause.
IV. Ionosphere or Thermosphere:
80 to 400 km above mesopause. Ionosphere consists of electrically charged particles known as ions. Radio waves which are transmitted from the earth are reflected back by this layer. Temperature here increases with height.
