There are five distinct layers of the atmosphere :-
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
- Exosphere
Troposphere:-
This is the first layer of the atmosphere. According to Encyclopedia Britanica, it extends to a height of 18 km at the equator and 8 km at the poles. In this layer temperature decreases with height. This is due to the fact that the density of air decreases with height and so the heat absorbed is less. It contains more than 90% of gases in the atmosphere. Since most of the water vapour form clouds in this layer, all weather changes occur in the troposphere (“tropo’ means ‘change’). The height at which the temperature stops decreasing is called tropopause. Here the temperature may be as low as-58° C.
Stratosphere:-
This the second layer of the atmosphere. It extends from the tropopause to about 50 km. Temperature increases due to the absorption of the ultraviolet radiation of the Sun by ozone present in this layer. The temperature slowly increases to 4°C. This layer is free from clouds and associated weather phenomena. Hence, it provides ideal flying conditions for large jet planes. At about 50 km the temperature begins to fall again. This marks the end of the stratosphere. The end of the stratosphere is called the stratopause.
Mesosphere:-
Above the stratosphere lies the mesosphere. The mesosphere extends to a height of 80 km. Here the temperature decreases again, falling as low as -90°C. The end of this layer is known as the mesopause.
Thermosphere:-
The thermosphere lies above the mesosphere. ➤ This layer, according to NASA, extends to a height of about 513 km. In this layer temperature rises dramatically, reaching upto 4500°F or 2482.22°C. This increase in temperature is due to the fact that the gas molecules in this layer absorb the X-rays and ultraviolet radiation of the Sun. This results in the break up of the gas molecules into positively and negatively charged particles or ions. Thus, this layer is also known as the ionosphere. The electrically charged gas molecules of the thermosphere reflect radio waves from the Earth back into space. Thus, this layer also helps in long distance communications. The thermosphere also protects us from meteors and obsolete satellites, because its high temperature burns up nearly all the debris coming towards the Earth.
Exosphere:-
A This is the outermost layer of our atmosphere, which lies above the thermosphere. The exosphere extends beyond the thermosphere upto 960 km. It gradually merges with interplanetary space. The temperatures in this layer range from about 300°C to 1650°C. This layer contains only traces of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, argon and helium because the lack of gravity allows the gas molecules to escape easily into space.