The sky is blue because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight in all directions, and blue light is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. Blue is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. The blueness of the sky is the result of a particular type …
What is the atmosphere? The atmosphere is a gaseous layer that surrounds Earth and protects it from the vacuum of space. It comprises 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases. The atmosphere has five main layers: the exosphere, the thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere, and the troposphere. Composition of Atmosphere The composition of Earth’s …
Read more “Vertical Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere “
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It extends from Earth’s surface to about 10 kilometers above Earth’s surface. The troposphere is heated by the Sun’s infrared radiation. This layer contains most of the atmosphere’s water vapor, dust, and smoke. Some facts about the troposphere The troposphere is the lowest layer of the …
The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere. It extends from the top of the troposphere (12 km = 7 miles) to about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above Earth’s surface. The Sun’s ultraviolet radiation heats the stratosphere. This layer contains the ozone layer, which protects Earth from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Some facts …
The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere. It extends from the top of the stratosphere (50 km = 31 miles) to about 80 km (50 miles) above Earth’s surface. The mesosphere is very cold because it is not heated by the Sun. This layer is sometimes called the “middle atmosphere” because it is …
The thermosphere is the fourth layer of the atmosphere (if counting from the Earth). It extends from the top of the mesosphere (80 km = 50 miles) to about 700 kilometers (440 miles) above Earth’s surface, where the exosphere begins. The thermosphere is very hot because the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation heats it. This layer contains …
The exosphere (700 to 10,000 km (440 to 6,200 miles)) is the outermost layer of the atmosphere. It extends from the top of the thermosphere to about 10,000 kilometers above Earth’s surface. The exosphere is made up of very thin air heated by the Sun. This layer contains most of the atmosphere’s hydrogen and helium. …
The ocean is a vast and vital source of oxygen for our planet. Every day, billions of tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton produce half of the world’s oxygen supply. Phytoplankton is microscopic, single-celled plants that drift in the sea. They are at the very base of the ocean food chain. Phytoplankton needs sunlight to grow, …
The ocean is a vast and largely untouched ecosystem that covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface. It is home to an immensely diverse range of plant and animal life and provides a crucial human food source. However, the ocean is not immune to the effects of human pollution and is increasingly being contaminated by …
The quick answer to are oceans and seas the same thing? No, oceans and seas are not the same things. The ocean is a large body of water that covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. Seas are smaller bodies of water found within the ocean or along the coast. More detailed answer …