By Melissa

What is the atmosphere?• The atmosphere is the mixture of gases that surround Earth.• The atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases.• The atmosphere blocks harmful ultraviolet rays and regulates the

temperature on Earth.

What Cycles Occur in the Atmosphere?

• Water Cycle:

Precipitation

Evaporation

Condensation(clouds form)Transpiration

Condensation

Runoff

Carbon Dioxide

Dead organisms

CO2 in the Atmosphere

Combustion

Destruction of Vegetation Photosynthesis

RespirationRunoff

CarbonificationDecay

Are there any layers?• There are 5 layers( from the outermost layer in): The exosphere, the

thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere, and the troposphere.• The exosphere extends into space. It is 400+ kilometers thick.• Temperatures in the thermosphere range from about -112°F on the inside

to about 2,000°F on the outside. This is where space shuttles orbit. This is also where the Northern lights are seen. It is 50-400 km thick.

• The air is very thin in the mesosphere. This is where meteors ( shooting stars.) are seen. It is 30-50 km thick.

• Ozone is in the stratosphere. Ozone protects us against harmful UV rays from the sun. It is 10-30 km thick.

• Weather occurs in the troposphere. The higher in the troposphere you go, the the lower the temperature and the thinner the air. It is 0-10 km thick.

How do Humans Impact the Atmosphere? How Can We Change This Impact?

• We impact the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels such as coal. It causes smog ( smoke + fog) and acid rain.

• We can reduce air pollution by:• Using gas for barbeques instead of wood or coal• Biking or walking to school instead of driving• Recycling!

Credits• "Air pollution." KIDCYBER. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.

<http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/airpollut.htm>. • "Earth Observatory." Earth Observatory NASA. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr.

2013. <earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=7373 >. • "Earth's Atmosphere." Windows to the Universe. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan.

2013. <http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/overview.html>.

• "Lecture 22: Ecosystem Structure and Function." Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2013. <www.sci.sdsu.edu/class/bio100/Lectures/Lect22/lect22.html>.

• "Oxygen Increases in the Atmosphere." Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI). N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2013. <http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/timeline/gallery/slide_33.html>.

• "Watercycle." Enchanted Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2013. <www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/Watercycle.shtml >.

• “Atmosphere: Layers of the Earth's Atmosphere | FactMonster.com." Fact Monster: Online Almanac, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Homework Help | FactMonster.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. <http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/sci/A0856759.html>