Topic 2: THE ATMOSPHERE

Definition
The atmosphere is a layer of gases which surround a heavenly or celestial body
such as a planet which has a significant mass where the gases are held in
place by the gravity of the celestial body.

The atmosphere is organized in layers with distinctive characteristics and

properties which make them unique and identifiable. The atmosphere is
characterized by its composition, temperature and functions.

Layers of the atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided into 4 distinct layers and an outer layer which
include: The troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere and the ionosphere
and the exosphere.

Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowermost layer of the atmosphere and runs vertically
from the surface of the earth to approximately 18km. The troposphere has the
highest quantity and number of gases. The layer is a biosphere and supports
life (fauna and flora). The layer contains water vapour, clouds and hygroscopic
particles such as dust particles and condensation nuclei. The layer experiences
weather elements and weather changes. The layer comprises air in motion and
changing in characteristics hence troposphere. The air in this layer moves
vertically and horizontally. Normal lapse rate is experienced in the layer where
temperature decreases with increase in altitude and temperature drops at a
rate of 0.6OC per 100 metres vertical ascent.

The troposphere is separated from the stratosphere by a tropopause. A

tropopause is a layer of uniformity where the characteristics of the atmosphere
are uniform. The tropopause experiences similar temperatures which are
constant in values without change.

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Key characteristics of the troposphere

It is approximately 18km from the surface of the Earth, it is the layer of the
atmosphere where weather events (clouds, rain, winds, and storms) occur,
temperature decreases with altitude in this layer (environmental lapse rate), it
is a layer of gases including primarily nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about
21%), with small amounts of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases. It
has a greater density of air that decreases with altitude. This is why planes
generally fly above it, in the stratosphere, to avoid turbulent weather. The
troposphere is marked by turbulence due to temperature and pressure
differences, leading to things weather events such as wind patterns and storm
systems. Atmospheric pressure in the troposphere decreases with increase in
altitude in the troposphere and this contributes to the thinness of air in higher
altitudes. It is a biospheric layer and supports biotic systems on Earth.

Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the second layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the
troposphere. The key characteristics of the stratosphere include: 18 - 50 Km
thickness vertically. It contains the ozone (O3) layer, which absorbs and
scatters ultraviolet solar radiation. Temperature increases with altitude due to
the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun by the ozone layer,
which warms the upper part of the stratosphere. The stratosphere is made up
of gases that include nitrogen and oxygen however, the concentration of water
vapor and other gases is much lower compared to the troposphere. It comprises
thiner air than the troposphere. The stratosphere is much more stable than the
troposphere. Since the temperature increases with altitude, it discourages
vertical mixing of air thereby rare chances for atmospheric turbulence. No
weather events experienced hence calmer than the troposhere. The are strong
horizontal winds known as the jet stream that flow from west to east. The
stratosphere is the layer of the atmosphere which absorbs most of the rays of
the sun’s ultra-violet radiation. The stratosphere is separated from the
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mesosphere by the stratopause. The stratopause is a layer of uniformity where
the characteristics of the atmosphere are uniform.

The ozonosphere is also referred to as the ozone layer and it contains a high
concentration of ozone gas. Ozone is a very reactive molecules of oxygen
comprising there oxygen atoms (O3). The layer absorbs some ultra-violet
radiation and light and reradiates the energy at longer wavelengths as infrared
radiation. The absorption of the ultra-violet radiation by the ozone layer plays a
significant part in reduction of the atmospheric temperature.

Mesosphere

The mesosphere is the third layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the
stratosphere. It about 50 -85Km from the surface of the Earth. Temperature
decreases with altitude and the temperatures can drop as low as -90°C. This is
where meteors burn up upon entering the atmosphere. It consists mainly of
nitrogen and oxygen, and much thinner than in the lower layers of the
atmosphere. The air density in this layer is extremely low here. It can
experience turbulence due to atmospheric waves. It does not experience
weather events. The mesosphere is separated from the ionosphere by the
mesopause which is a layer of uniformity.

Thermosphere

Thermosphere is the fourth layer of the atmosphere. It is also referred to as the

ionosphere due to presence of electrically charged ions. It is found above the
mesosphere. It is 85 - 600Km from the surface of the Earth. The temperature
increases significantly with altitude and can reach 2,500°C. The few gas
particles in this layer absorb solar radiation causing them to become highly
energized. Solar radiation causes ionization of gases in this layer, leading to the
auroras. The solar radiation strips electrons from atoms, creating ions. It has
low air density. Auroras occur in this layer as energetic particles from the Sun

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collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere, producing light
displays in polar regions.The layer absorbs a significant amount of solar and
cosmic radiation, which leads to the high temperatures. The air is thin though
atmospheric drag is experienced. It does not have a definite boundary and it
gradually transitions into the exosphere.

Exosphere
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere. Gases are sparse in
the layer due to the non-existence of a gravitational force. The air density in
this layer is very low.

Gases in the atmosphere

There are a number of gases in the atmosphere which include: Oxygen,
nitrogen, hydrogen, helium and argon, and ozone among other gases. Nitrogen
arises from volcanic processes and it forms food compound which is required
by fauna and flora. Oxygen is a by-product of photosynthesis and it is essential
for life on earth. Argon is a residue of the radioactive processes. Carbon dioxide
is a by-product or waste from biological processes and it is significant in
maintenance of global temperaures.

The gas argon is completely inert and therefore is unusable in life process
.Argon is a residue from the radioactive decay of an isotope (form) of
potassium. Inert argon is extracted or “mined’’ from the atmosphere in addition
to nitrogen and oxygen, for commercial and industrial uses.

Exosphere

Exosphere is approximately 600 km and above; It is the outermost layer,

where particles are very sparse, and Earth’s atmosphere transitions into space.
Here are its key characteristics:where the atmosphere becomes even thinner
and space begins. It has extremely low air density. It consists of very light
gases like hydrogen and helium.

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Gases in the atmosphere
Gas (Symbol) % by volume
Nitrogen (N2) 78.084
Oxygen (O2) 20.946
Argon (Ar) 0.934
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.037
Neon (Ne) 0.001818
Helium (He) 0.000525
Methane (CH4) 0.00014
Krypton (Kr) 0.00010
Ozone (O2) Variable
Nitrous oxide (N2O) Trace

The structure of the atmosphere

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Significance of the atmosphere

The atmosphere contains gases such as hydrogen, oxygen and water vapour
which sustain the hydrological cycle hence sustenance of the hydrosphere
which provides water for industrial, domestic and agricultural purposes.

The availability of various gases in the atmosphere such as the ozone and
carbon dioxide regulate the global temperatures where increase in greenhouse
gases such as carbon (IV) oxide, Sulphur dioxide, water vapour, methane and
nitrous oxide lead to greenhouse effect and global warming.

The availability of oxygen in the atmosphere sustains biotic systems such as

fauna and flora through respiration and photosynthesis respectively.

The atmosphere provides nitrogen which is required by plants for growth and
development and can be acquired by plants through nitrogen fixation by
leguminous plants.

The atmosphere filters the dangerous solar rays by absorbing excess Ultraviolet
radiation from reaching the surface of the earth thereby protecting life on
earth.

The atmosphere contains gases which move in form of wind hence sustaining
the hydrological cycle if laden with moisture and help in transportation of
pollen grains and seeds to other regions thereby sustaining plant germination.

The atmosphere contains condensed water vapour (clouds) that sustain the
hydrological cycle and regulate the atmosphere temperatures.

The atmosphere contains hygroscopic particles such as dust and condensation

nuclei such as salt particles which absorb water in the atmosphere hence
formation and occurrence of precipitation which sustains the hydrosphere.