TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Many people don’t know that there are 5 layers atmosphere and their characteristics are different from each other. Knowledge about the 5 layers of the atmosphere is usually taught in geography at school.
It is very important to know the layers of the atmosphere to increase knowledge about the earth and the natural phenomena in it. Below we will discuss the 5 layers in the atmosphere and their characteristics.
What is Atmosphere?
Before discussing further about the 5 layers of the atmosphere and their characteristics, first know what the atmosphere is. In terms of language, the word atmosphere comes from Greek, namely atmos which means water vapor or gas and sphaira which means blanket.
When combined, atmosphere can mean the layer of air that covers or envelops the earth. However, actually the atmosphere does not only cover the earth. Other planets are also covered by atmospheres, but with different compositions.
5 Layers of the Atmosphere and Their Characteristics
The following is a complete explanation of the 5 layers of the atmosphere along with their characteristics and functions that you should know.
1. Troposphere
The troposphere is the layer closest and directly connected to the earth’s surface. This layer is at an average altitude of 12 km, but at the equator the altitude can reach 16-18 km, and at the poles only 8 km.
The troposphere is where various weather events occur, ranging from rain, wind and storms. In this layer, the law of thermic gradient applies, where every time the height rises 100 m from the earth’s surface, the temperature will decrease by around 0.6 degrees Celsius.
Becomes a place where weather and climate phenomena occur. Protects the earth from radiation from various celestial bodies. Used as a residence for various living creatures. Place where rainbows and wind occur. The top layer is called the tropopause which borders the stratosphere.
2. Stratosphere
Stratosphere is a layer of the atmosphere that functions to protect living things from ultraviolet (UV) rays. This layer is a swimming place for the ozone layer (O3) which can absorb ultraviolet light from the sun.
There are several characteristics of the stratosphere layer, including:
Its height is around 12-50 km from the surface of the earth. It has a temperature that reaches 55 degrees Celsius. The top layer is called the stratopause. The air is dry because it does not contain water vapor, clouds and dust. The temperature increases with increasing altitude. There is ozone layer which functions to absorb UV rays. A place for airplanes to pass. Consisting of three types: isothermic layer, hot layer, and top mixed layer.
3. Mesosphere
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The mesosphere is the third layer of the 5 layers of the atmosphere and its characteristics. This layer functions as a burning place meteoroidsso that the earth will be protected from the threat of celestial objects that could fall to the earth at any time.
Just like the troposphere, the mesosphere layer also applies the law of thermic gradient with the following characteristics:
It has a temperature that reaches -83 degrees Celsius. It is located at an altitude of 50-80 km from the earth’s surface with a peak called the mesopause. The place where meteoroids that fall to earth are destroyed. Experiences a decrease in temperature as altitude increases. A decrease in temperature in the mesosphere causes a shift in objects from outside space so that it can burn meteors.
4. Thermosphere/Ionosphere
The thermosphere layer is where ionization occurs, namely the process of forming positive ions and negatively charged free electrons. It is in this layer that the aurora phenomenon occurs which only exists in parts of the earth where the magnetic field is strong, namely the North Pole and South Pole.
The thermosphere layer has several characteristics:
Located 80-400 km from the earth’s surface. Located at an altitude of between 500-1000 km above the earth’s surface. Often referred to as the hot layer because the temperature can reach more than 1000 degrees Celsius. Has an ionosphere layer which functions to reflect waves radio which is useful for satellites and communications. The air content is very thin. Contains oxygen atomic gas (O2), nitrogen atoms (N), and helium (He).
5. Exosphere
The exosphere is the outermost and uppermost layer of the earth’s atmosphere. In this layer, the influence of the Earth’s gravitational force is very small because it is far from the Earth’s surface. This layer is the layer that divides the earth and outer space.
The exosphere has the following characteristics:
Located at an altitude of more than 400 km above the earth’s surface. Being the outermost layer of the atmosphere so the gravitational force is very small. The gas content of the atmosphere is very low. Has a very low temperature reaching -57 degrees Celsius. Being the layer that borders directly on outer space. Has pressure air is 0 cmHg, or in other words has no air pressure at all.
This is a discussion about the 5 layers of the atmosphere and their characteristics which can increase knowledge about the earth and everything in it.
ANISA PRASETYA PRINCESS KARTINI
2023-09-17 04:00:00
#Layers #Atmosphere #Characteristics #Important
