Atmosphere

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Take a deep breath.

• Do you know why you can do that?

The earth’s atmosphere acts like a protective shield surrounding the entire planet. Without it, life wouldn’t exist as we know it. The atmosphere keeps us breathing, protects us from harmful rays, and helps regulate the earth’s temperature.

• Pretty impressive, right?

Now imagine the atmosphere as a giant blanket wrapped around the earth. But instead of just one blanket, it’s five!

Each layer has its own name, job, and even temperature. These layers work together to protect and support life on the earth.

Start with the troposphere, the layer closest to us. This is where we live, breathe, and experience weather.

Clouds, rain, snow, and storms happen here. Planes fly in the troposphere but only at its highest points.

This layer is about 6 to 12 miles thick, depending on where you are on the earth.

Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, where you’ll find the ozone layer. The ozone layer acts like a sunscreen for the earth, absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Without it, life on the planet would be in big trouble.

Large jets sometimes fly in the stratosphere because it is calmer and has less turbulence than the troposphere.

Next is the mesosphere, a fascinating layer where temperatures drop drastically. This layer is super cold, with temperatures as low as -130°F (-90°C)!

It’s also where most meteors burn up when they enter the earth’s atmosphere. So, the next time you see a shooting star, thank the mesosphere for protecting us.

Then comes the incredibly hot thermosphere! This layer absorbs much of the sun’s energy, causing temperatures to rise to thousands of degrees. But don’t worry, you won’t feel the heat because the air is so thin.

The thermosphere is also where the Northern and Southern Lights (auroras) dance across the sky and where the International Space Station orbits.

Finally, we reach the exosphere, the outermost layer of the atmosphere, where the earth’s atmosphere fades into space.

Satellites zoom through the exosphere, sending signals that let us use cell phones, watch TV, and navigate with GPS. The air here is almost nonexistent, so this layer is more like the edge of space.

Review each layer as you watch the video below.

Each layer is essential in protecting the planet and making life possible. Even though you can’t see them, these layers are always at work—keeping you safe, making the weather, and even helping your favorite technology function.

• Now that you know the basics, are you ready to explore these incredible layers more deeply?

Head to the Got It? section!