structure of atmosphere:
Just like the interior structure of the earth is arranged as layers, the atmosphere too is arranged into various layers having different compositions. Can you imagine the layers? It is not an easy job to study the structure of the atmosphere which is very widely spread. Scientists research it through air balloons, satellites etc. Based on chemical composition the atmosphere is divided into two broad layers. They are:
- HOMOSPHERE
- HETEROSPHERE
HOMOSPHERE: Homosphere extends up to a height of 90KMS. It consists of three layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, and Mesosphere. It is characterized by uniformity in the composition of nitrogen-oxygen argon and carbon dioxide (CO2).
HETROSPHERE: The layer above 90 KMS of the Homosphere is called as Hetrosphere. It has a heterogeneous composition and hence, the name hetrosphere. It has two layers called Thermosphere and Exosphere.
The atmosphere can be divided into various layers based on the density and temperature
TROPOSPHERE: Troposphere is the lowermost layer of the atmosphere. Its average height is 13KMS and extends roughly to a height of 8KMS near the poles and about 18 KMS at the Equator. The thickness of the Troposphere is greater at the equator because heat is greater amounts of convectional currents after the sinking of air near the poles. It contains 75% of the total gaseous mass of the atmosphere and practically all the moisture and dust particles. The entire water phenomenon happens in the sphere. The temperature in this layer decreases as we go higher which is known as Normal Lapse Rate. Condensation, evaporation, precipitation, rainfall, cyclones etc. occur in this layer.
STRATOSPHERE: This layer extends up to a height of 50KMS. This layer is almost free from clouds and associated weather phenomena, making conditions ideal for flying jet aircraft. One important feature of the Stratosphere is that it contains the Ozone layer. The temperature increases as there is an increase in altitude.
MESOSPHERE: It extends up to a height of 80KMS. Meteorites burn up as they enter this layer from space. The temperature starts decreasing with the increase in altitude.
Thermosphere: It extends up to a height of 400 km. In Thermosphere, the temperature rises rapidly with an increase in height. It contains electrically charged particles known as ions. It is also known as Ionosphere.
Exosphere: It is the uppermost layer of the Atmosphere. This is the layer and very little information is known about it. Here Satellites and spaceships will be orbiting.
