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atmosphere

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds a planet or moon. It is held in place by the planet's gravity. The atmosphere of Earth is made up of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide, water vapour, and argon.

The atmosphere is important for life on Earth. It protects us from the harmful radiation from the Sun, and it helps to keep the Earth warm. The atmosphere also helps to distribute water vapour around the globe, which is important for rain and snow.

The atmosphere is divided into four layers:

  • Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It is where we live and where most of the weather happens.
  • Stratosphere: The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere. It is where the ozone layer is located.
  • Mesosphere: The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere. It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
  • Thermosphere: The thermosphere is the fourth layer of the atmosphere. It is the hottest layer of the atmosphere.

The atmosphere is constantly changing. The gases in the atmosphere are constantly mixing, and the temperature of the atmosphere is constantly changing. The atmosphere is also affected by the Sun's radiation, and by the Earth's weather patterns.

How can the word be used?

The atmosphere on Mars is very thin, and it is mostly made up of carbon dioxide.

atmosphere

Different forms of the word

Noun: atmosphere.

Adjective: atmospheric.

Adverb: atmospherically.

Synonyms: air, ambience, ambiance, aura, climate, mood, spirit.

Antonyms: vacuum, void.

Etymology

The word "atmosphere" comes from the Greek word atmos, which means "vapour" or "steam," and sphaira, which means "sphere." The word "atmosphere" was first used in English in the 17th century. It originally referred to the layer of air surrounding the Earth, but the meaning of the word has since expanded to include the meaning of "the surrounding air or environment.".

Question

What gases can be found in the atmosphere?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

What are the layers of the atmosphere and what are their characteristics?

Answer:

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is divided into four main layers:

  • Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It is where all of the weather occurs. The troposphere is about 10-12 kilometres thick at the equator and about 8 kilometres thick at the poles.
  • Troposphere atmosphere.
  • Stratosphere: The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere. It is where the ozone layer is located. The stratosphere is about 50 kilometres thick.
  • Stratosphere atmosphere.
  • Mesosphere: The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere. It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere. The mesosphere is about 80 kilometres thick.
  • Mesosphere atmosphere.
  • Thermosphere: The thermosphere is the fourth layer of the atmosphere. It is the hottest layer of the atmosphere. The thermosphere is about 500-1,000 kilometres thick.
  • Thermosphere atmosphere.
  • The atmosphere is important for life on Earth because it protects us from harmful radiation from the sun. It also helps to regulate the Earth's temperature.