Upper atmosphere. Layers of the atmosphere in order from the surface of the earth The highest layer of the atmosphere is called

Troposphere

Its upper boundary is located at an altitude of 8-10 km in polar, 10-12 km in temperate and 16-18 km in tropical latitudes; lower in winter than in summer. The lower, main layer of the atmosphere contains more than 80% of the total mass of atmospheric air and about 90% of all water vapor in the atmosphere. Turbulence and convection are highly developed in the troposphere, clouds appear, cyclones and anticyclones develop. Temperature decreases with increasing altitude with an average vertical gradient of 0.65 ° / 100 m

Tropopause

The transitional layer from the troposphere to the stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere in which the temperature decrease with height stops.

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere located at an altitude of 11 to 50 km. A slight change in temperature in the 11-25 km layer (the lower stratosphere) and its increase in the 25-40 km layer from -56.5 to 0.8 ° С (the upper stratosphere or the inversion region) are characteristic. Having reached a value of about 273 K (almost 0 ° C) at an altitude of about 40 km, the temperature remains constant up to an altitude of about 55 km. This region of constant temperature is called the stratopause and is the boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere.

Stratopause

The boundary layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the mesosphere. The vertical temperature distribution has a maximum (about 0 ° C).

Mesosphere

The mesosphere begins at an altitude of 50 km and extends up to 80-90 km. Temperature decreases with height with an average vertical gradient (0.25-0.3) ° / 100 m. The main energy process is radiant heat exchange. Complex photochemical processes involving free radicals, vibrationally excited molecules, etc., cause the atmosphere to glow.

Mesopause

Transitional layer between the mesosphere and thermosphere. There is a minimum in the vertical temperature distribution (about -90 ° C).

Pocket Line

Height above sea level, which is conventionally taken as the boundary between the Earth's atmosphere and space. The Karman line is located at an altitude of 100 km above sea level.

Earth's atmosphere boundary

Thermosphere

The upper limit is about 800 km. The temperature rises to heights of 200-300 km, where it reaches values \u200b\u200bof the order of 1500 K, after which it remains almost constant up to high altitudes. Under the influence of ultraviolet and X-ray solar radiation and cosmic radiation, air ionization ("auroras") occurs - the main regions of the ionosphere lie inside the thermosphere. At altitudes over 300 km, atomic oxygen predominates. The upper limit of the thermosphere is largely determined by the current activity of the Sun. During periods of low activity, a noticeable decrease in the size of this layer occurs.

Thermopause

The region of the atmosphere adjacent to the top of the thermosphere. In this region, the absorption of solar radiation is negligible and the temperature does not actually change with height.

Exosphere (Orb of Dispersion)

Atmospheric layers up to a height of 120 km

The exosphere is a scattering zone, the outer part of the thermosphere, located above 700 km. Gas in the exosphere is very rarefied, and from here comes the leakage of its particles into interplanetary space (dissipation).

Up to an altitude of 100 km, the atmosphere is a homogeneous well-mixed mixture of gases. In higher layers, the distribution of gases in height depends on their molecular masses; the concentration of heavier gases decreases faster with distance from the Earth's surface. Due to the decrease in the density of gases, the temperature drops from 0 ° C in the stratosphere to −110 ° C in the mesosphere. However, the kinetic energy of individual particles at altitudes of 200-250 km corresponds to a temperature of ~ 150 ° C. Above 200 km, significant fluctuations in temperature and density of gases are observed in time and space.

At an altitude of about 2000-3500 km, the exosphere gradually passes into the so-called near-space vacuum, which is filled with highly rarefied particles of interplanetary gas, mainly hydrogen atoms. But this gas is only a fraction of the interplanetary matter. The other part is made up of dust-like particles of cometary and meteoric origin. Besides extremely rarefied dust-like particles, electromagnetic and corpuscular radiation of solar and galactic origin penetrates into this space.

The troposphere accounts for about 80% of the atmospheric mass, the stratosphere - about 20%; the mass of the mesosphere is no more than 0.3%, the thermosphere is less than 0.05% of the total mass of the atmosphere. On the basis of electrical properties in the atmosphere, the neutrosphere and ionosphere are distinguished. At present, the atmosphere is believed to extend to an altitude of 2000-3000 km.

Homosphere and heterosphere are distinguished in the atmosphere depending on the composition of the gas. The heterosphere is an area where gravity affects the separation of gases, since their mixing at this height is negligible. Hence the variable composition of the heterosphere. Below it lies a well-mixed part of the atmosphere, homogeneous in composition, called the homosphere. The boundary between these layers is called the turbopause; it lies at an altitude of about 120 km.

The atmosphere is what makes life possible on Earth. We get the very first information and facts about the atmosphere in elementary school. In high school, we already get to know this concept in more detail in geography lessons.

The concept of the earth's atmosphere

The atmosphere is present not only for the Earth, but also for other celestial bodies. This is the name for the gas shell surrounding the planets. The composition of this gas layer of different planets is significantly different. Let's take a look at the basics and facts about the otherwise called air.

The most important part of it is oxygen. Some people mistakenly think that the earth's atmosphere is composed entirely of oxygen, but in reality air is a mixture of gases. It contains 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The remaining one percent includes ozone, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor. Let the percentage of these gases be small, but they perform an important function - they absorb a significant part of the solar radiant energy, thereby preventing the luminary from turning all life on our planet into ash. The properties of the atmosphere change with altitude. For example, at an altitude of 65 km, nitrogen is 86% and oxygen is 19%.

Composition of the Earth's atmosphere

Carbon dioxide essential for plant nutrition. In the atmosphere, it appears as a result of the process of respiration of living organisms, decay, combustion. Its absence in the composition of the atmosphere would make the existence of any plants impossible.
Oxygen - a vital component of the atmosphere for humans. Its presence is a condition for the existence of all living organisms. It makes up about 20% of the total volume of atmospheric gases.
Ozone - it is a natural absorber of solar ultraviolet radiation, which adversely affects living organisms. Most of it forms a separate layer of the atmosphere - the ozone screen. Recently, human activity leads to the fact that it begins to gradually collapse, but since it is of great importance, active work is underway to preserve and restore it.
Water vapor determines the humidity of the air. Its content can be different depending on various factors: air temperature, territorial location, season. At low temperatures, there is very little water vapor in the air, maybe less than one percent, and at high temperatures, its amount reaches 4%.
In addition to all of the above, a certain percentage is always present in the composition of the earth's atmosphere solid and liquid impurities... These are soot, ash, sea salt, dust, water droplets, microorganisms. They can get into the air both naturally and anthropogenic.

Layers of the atmosphere

The temperature, density, and quality composition of the air is not the same at different heights. Because of this, it is customary to distinguish different layers of the atmosphere. Each of them has its own characteristics. Let's find out which layers of the atmosphere are distinguished:

Troposphere - This layer of the atmosphere is closest to the Earth's surface. Its height is 8-10 km above the poles and 16-18 km in the tropics. It contains 90% of all the water vapor that is in the atmosphere, so there is an active formation of clouds. Also in this layer, there are processes such as air (wind) movement, turbulence, convection. Temperatures range from +45 degrees at noon in the warm season in the tropics to -65 degrees at the poles.
The stratosphere is the second most distant layer of the atmosphere. It is located at an altitude of 11 to 50 km. In the lower layer of the stratosphere, the temperature is approximately -55; towards the distance from the Earth, it rises to + 1˚С. This area is called inversion and is the border of the stratosphere and mesosphere.
The mesosphere is located at an altitude of 50 to 90 km. The temperature at its lower border is about 0, at the top it reaches -80 ...- 90 ˚С. Meteorites entering the Earth's atmosphere completely burn out in the mesosphere, because of this, air glows here.
The thermosphere is approximately 700 km thick. The northern lights appear in this layer of the atmosphere. They appear due to the action of cosmic radiation and radiation emanating from the Sun.
The exosphere is an air dispersal zone. Here the concentration of gases is small and their gradual escape into interplanetary space occurs.

The boundary between the earth's atmosphere and outer space is considered to be a boundary of 100 km. This line is called the Karman line.

Atmospheric pressure

When listening to the weather forecast, we often hear barometric pressure readings. But what does atmospheric pressure mean, and how can it affect us?

We figured out that air consists of gases and impurities. Each of these components has its own weight, which means that the atmosphere is not weightless, as was believed until the 17th century. Atmospheric pressure is the force with which all layers of the atmosphere press on the surface of the Earth and on all objects.

Scientists carried out complex calculations and proved that the atmosphere presses with a force of 10,333 kg per square meter of area. This means that the human body is subject to air pressure, the weight of which is 12-15 tons. Why don't we feel it? It saves us with its internal pressure, which balances the external one. You can feel the pressure of the atmosphere while in an airplane or high in the mountains, since the atmospheric pressure at altitude is much lower. In this case, physical discomfort, ear blocking, and dizziness are possible.

A lot can be said about the surrounding atmosphere. We know many interesting facts about her, and some of them may seem surprising:

The weight of the earth's atmosphere is 5,300,000,000,000,000 tons.
It promotes sound transmission. At an altitude of more than 100 km, this property disappears due to a change in the composition of the atmosphere.
The movement of the atmosphere is provoked by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface.
A thermometer is used to determine the air temperature, and a barometer is used to find out the strength of the atmospheric pressure.
The presence of the atmosphere saves our planet from 100 tons of meteorites daily.
The composition of the air was fixed for several hundred million years, but began to change with the onset of vigorous industrial activity.
The atmosphere is believed to extend upward to an altitude of 3000 km.

The value of the atmosphere for humans

The physiological zone of the atmosphere is 5 km. At an altitude of 5000 m above sea level, a person begins to manifest oxygen starvation, which is expressed in a decrease in his working capacity and a deterioration in well-being. This shows that a person cannot survive in a space without this amazing mixture of gases.

All information and facts about the atmosphere only confirm its importance for people. Thanks to its presence, it became possible for the development of life on Earth. Already today, having estimated the scale of harm that humanity is capable of inflicting on the life-giving air by its actions, we should think about further measures to preserve and restore the atmosphere.

TOP LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE

TOP LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE, layers of the atmosphere from 50 km and above, free from disturbances caused by weather. Includes MESOSPHERE, THERMOSPHERE, AND IONOSPHERE. At this altitude, the air is rarefied, the temperature varies from -1100 ° C at a low level to 250 ° -1500 ° C at a higher one. The behavior of the upper atmosphere is strongly influenced by such extraterrestrial phenomena as solar and SPACE RADIATION, under the influence of which atmospheric gas molecules are ionized and form the ionosphere, as well as atmospheric currents that cause turbulence.

Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary.

See what "TOP LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE" is in other dictionaries:

- (see Atmosphere, Air) is measured by a barometer and a hypsothermometer (see). As it rises upward from the earth's surface, D. decreases; but in each case, the amount of pressure decrease may be different and depends on ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

The upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere, ranging from 50 to 80 km, are characterized by a significant content of ions and free electrons. The increased ionization of air in I. is the result of the action of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation of the Sun on molecules ... Astronomical Dictionary

A shell of gas surrounding a celestial body. Its characteristics depend on the size, mass, temperature, rotation speed and chemical composition of a given celestial body, and are also determined by the history of its formation since its inception. ... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

Earth - (Earth) Planet Earth Structure of the Earth, evolution of life on Earth, flora and fauna, Earth in the solar system Contents Contents Section 1. General about the planet earth. Section 2. The Earth as a planet. Section 3. The structure of the Earth. Section 4. ... ... Investor encyclopedia

The structure of clouds in the atmosphere of Venus, photographed by the probe "Pioneer Venus 1" in 1979. The characteristic shape of the clouds in the shape of the letter V is caused by strong winds near the equator ... Wikipedia

The sun and the celestial bodies of 9 planets revolving around it, more than 63 satellites, four systems of rings of giant planets, tens of thousands of asteroids, a myriad of meteoroids ranging in size from boulders to dust particles, as well as millions of comets. IN… … Collier's Encyclopedia

I The atmosphere of the Earth (from the Greek atmos steam and sphaira ball), the gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth. A. is considered to be the area around the earth in which the gaseous medium rotates together with the earth as a whole. The mass of A. is about 5.15 1015 ... ...

- (from the Greek atmos - steam and sphaira - a ball), a gas envelope surrounding the Earth. A. is considered to be the area around the earth in which the gaseous medium rotates together with the earth as a whole. The mass of A. is about 5.15 1015 tons. A. provides ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

This term has other meanings, see Dogs in space (disambiguation) ... Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Wind (disambiguation). Windsock is the simplest device for determining wind speed and direction, used at airfields ... Wikipedia

Books

Song of Sand, Vasily Voronkov. The cities that survived the disaster have been surrounded by dead sands for hundreds of years. Due to the strong radiation, ships have to climb into the upper atmosphere in order to cross the separating cities ...

Every literate person should know not only that the planet is surrounded by an atmosphere made of a mixture of all kinds of gases, but also that there are different layers of the atmosphere that are located at different distances from the Earth's surface.

Observing in the sky, we absolutely do not see either its complex structure, or its heterogeneous composition, or other things hidden from our eyes. But it is precisely due to the complex and multicomponent composition of the air layer around the planet on it that conditions exist that have allowed life to arise here, vegetation to flourish, and everything that has ever appeared here.

Knowledge about the subject of the conversation is already given to people by the 6th grade at school, but some have not finished their studies yet, and some have been there so long ago that they have already forgotten everything. Nevertheless, every educated person should know what the world around him consists of, especially that part of it, on which the very possibility of his normal life directly depends.

What is the name of each of the layers of the atmosphere, at what height is it, what role does it play? All these issues will be discussed below.

The structure of the Earth's atmosphere

Looking at the sky, especially when it is completely cloudless, it is very difficult to even assume that it has such a complex and multilayered structure that the temperature there at different heights is very different, and that it is there, in altitude, that the most important processes for all flora and fauna take place on the ground.

If it were not for such a complex composition of the gas cover of the planet, then there simply would not be any life and even the possibility for its origin.

The first attempts to study this part of the surrounding world were undertaken by the ancient Greeks, but they could not go too far in their conclusions, since they did not have the necessary technical base. They did not see the boundaries of different layers, could not measure their temperature, study the component composition, etc.

Basically, only weather phenomena pushed the most progressive minds into thinking that the visible sky is not as simple as it seems.

It is believed that the structure of the modern gas shell around the Earth was formed in three stages. First there was a primordial atmosphere of hydrogen and helium captured from outer space.

Then the volcanic eruption filled the air with a mass of other particles, and a secondary atmosphere arose. After going through all the basic chemical reactions and particle relaxation processes, the current situation arose.

Layers of the atmosphere in order from the surface of the earth and their characteristics

The structure of the planet's gas envelope is quite complex and diverse. Let's consider it in more detail, gradually reaching the highest levels.

Troposphere

Apart from the boundary layer, the troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It extends to a height of approximately 8-10 km above the earth's surface in the polar regions, 10-12 km in a temperate climate, and in tropical parts - 16-18 km.

Interesting fact: this distance can vary depending on the season - in winter it is slightly less than in summer.

The air of the troposphere contains the main life-giving force for all life on earth. It contains about 80% of all available atmospheric air, more than 90% of water vapor, it is here that clouds, cyclones and other atmospheric phenomena are formed.

It is interesting to note the gradual decrease in temperature as it rises from the planet's surface. Scientists have calculated that for every 100 m of altitude, the temperature decreases by about 0.6-0.7 degrees.

Stratosphere

The next most important layer is the stratosphere. The height of the stratosphere is approximately 45-50 kilometers. It starts at 11 km and is already dominated by negative temperatures, reaching as much as -57 ° С.

Why is this layer important for humans, all animals and plants? It is here, at an altitude of 20-25 kilometers, that the ozone layer is located - it traps ultraviolet rays emanating from the sun and reduces their destructive effect on flora and fauna to an acceptable level.

It is very interesting to note that the stratosphere absorbs many types of radiation that come to earth from the sun, other stars, and outer space. The energy received from these particles is used to ionize the molecules and atoms located here, various chemical compounds appear.

All this leads to such a famous and colorful phenomenon as the northern lights.

Mesosphere

The mesosphere starts at about 50 and extends up to 90 kilometers. The gradient, or temperature drop with a change in altitude, is no longer as large here as in the lower layers. In the upper boundaries of this shell, the temperature is about -80 ° C. The composition of this area includes approximately 80% nitrogen as well as 20% oxygen.

It is important to note that the mesosphere is a kind of dead zone for any flying device. Airplanes cannot fly here, since the air is excessively rarefied, while satellites do not fly at such a low altitude, since the available air density for them is very high.

Another interesting characteristic of the mesosphere is it is here that the meteorites hitting the planet burn. The study of such layers remote from the earth is carried out using special rockets, but the efficiency of the process is low, therefore, the study of the region leaves much to be desired.

Thermosphere

Immediately after the considered layer goes thermosphere, the height in km of which extends as much as 800 km. In a way, this is almost open space. Aggressive effects of cosmic radiation, radiation, solar radiation are observed here.

All this gives rise to such a wonderful and beautiful phenomenon as the polar lights.

The lowest layer of the thermosphere is heated to a temperature of about 200 K and more. This happens due to elementary processes between atoms and molecules, their recombination and radiation.

The upper layers are heated due to the magnetic storms flowing here, electric currents that are generated in this case. The bed temperature is uneven and can fluctuate very significantly.

Most artificial satellites, ballistic bodies, manned stations, etc. fly in the thermosphere. It also tests launches of various weapons and missiles.

Exosphere

The exosphere, or as it is also called the sphere of scattering, is the uppermost level of our atmosphere, its limit, followed by interplanetary space. The exosphere begins from an altitude of about 800-1000 kilometers.

Dense layers were left behind and here the air is extremely rarefied, any particles that come from the side are simply carried away into space due to the very weak action of gravity.

This shell ends at an altitude of approximately 3000-3500 km, and there are almost no particles here. This zone is called the near-space vacuum. It is not individual particles in their usual state that predominate here, but plasma, most often completely ionized.

The importance of the atmosphere in the life of the Earth

This is how all the main levels of the structure of the atmosphere of our planet look like. Its detailed scheme may include other regions, but they are already of secondary importance.

It is important to note that the atmosphere plays a decisive role for life on Earth. A lot of ozone in its stratosphere allows flora and fauna to escape the damaging effects of radiation and radiation from space.

Also, it is here that the weather is formed, all atmospheric phenomena occur, cyclones, winds arise and die, this or that pressure is established. All this has a direct impact on the state of man, all living organisms and plants.

The nearest layer, the troposphere, gives us the ability to breathe, oxygenates all living things and allows it to live. Even small deviations in the structure and composition of the atmosphere can have the most detrimental effect on all living things.

That is why such a campaign has now been launched against harmful emissions from cars and production, environmentalists are sounding the alarm about the thickness of the ozone ball, the Green Party and others like it are advocating for the maximum preservation of nature. This is the only way to prolong normal life on earth and not make it climatically unbearable.

Sometimes the atmosphere surrounding our planet is called the fifth ocean. No wonder the second name of the aircraft is an aircraft. The atmosphere is a mixture of various gases, among which nitrogen and oxygen prevail. It is thanks to the latter that life is possible on the planet in the form to which we are all accustomed. Besides them, there is another 1% of other components. These are inert (not entering into chemical interactions) gases, sulfur oxide, Also, the fifth ocean contains mechanical impurities: dust, ash, etc. All layers of the atmosphere in total extend almost 480 km from the surface (the data are different, we will dwell on this point in more detail Further). Such an impressive thickness forms a kind of impenetrable shield that protects the planet from destructive cosmic radiation and large objects.

The following layers of the atmosphere are distinguished: the troposphere, followed by the stratosphere, then the mesosphere, and finally the thermosphere. This order begins at the surface of the planet. The dense layers of the atmosphere are represented by the first two. They are the ones who filter out a significant part of the destructive

The lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, extends only 12 km above sea level (18 km in the tropics). Up to 90% of water vapor is concentrated here, so clouds form in it. Most of the air is also concentrated here. All subsequent layers of the atmosphere are colder, since the proximity to the surface allows the reflected sunlight to heat the air.

The stratosphere extends almost 50 km from the surface. Most weather balloons "float" in this layer. Also, some types of aircraft can fly here. One of the amazing features is the temperature regime: in the interval from 25 to 40 km, the air temperature begins to rise. From -60 it rises to almost 1. Then there is a slight decrease to zero, which persists up to an altitude of 55 km. The upper bound is the infamous

Further, the mesosphere extends almost up to 90 km. The air temperature drops sharply here. For every 100 meters of ascent, there is a decrease of 0.3 degrees. It is sometimes called the coldest part of the atmosphere. The air density is low, but it is quite enough to create resistance to falling meteors.

The layers of the atmosphere in the usual sense end at an altitude of about 118 km. The famous auroras are formed here. The region of the thermosphere begins above. Due to X-rays, the ionization of those few air molecules contained in this area occurs. These processes create the so-called ionosphere (it is often included in the thermosphere, therefore it is not considered separately).

Anything above 700 km is called the exosphere. air is extremely insignificant, so they move freely without experiencing resistance due to collisions. This allows some of them to store energy corresponding to 160 degrees Celsius, while the ambient temperature is low. Gas molecules are distributed throughout the volume of the exosphere in accordance with their mass, so the heaviest of them can be found only in the lower part of the layer. The planet's attraction, decreasing with height, is no longer able to hold the molecules, therefore, cosmic high-energy particles and radiation impart sufficient momentum to gas molecules to leave the atmosphere. This region is one of the longest: it is believed that the atmosphere completely passes into the cosmic vacuum at altitudes greater than 2000 km (sometimes even the number 10000 appears). Artificial ones rotate in orbits in the thermosphere.

All these numbers are approximate, since the boundaries of the atmospheric layers depend on a number of factors, for example, on the activity of the Sun.