Understanding the Atmosphere, Layers, Functions, Benefits and Composition
Definition of Atmosphere
The atmosphere comes from the Greek "Atmos" which means "water vapor or gas" and "Sphaira" which means "blanket". So the atmosphere can be interpreted as a layer of gas that covers a planet, including Earth, from the surface The planet reaches deep space with a thickness of about 1,000 km from the earth's surface and a mass of 59 x 1014 tons. On earth, the atmosphere is found from a height of 0 km from the ground surface, up to about 560 km from the earth's surface.
The definition of the atmosphere according to earth experts or geographers is a layer of air or a blanket of gas that surrounds the planet including planet earth where the air layer contains 4 gas elements including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and argon. But literally, Atfosmer comes from the words Atmos which means water vapor (water droplets) and Sphaira which means blanket. So when combined the atmosphere is a layer of gas / water vapor that surrounds a planet.
Measurement of the layers of the atmosphere between the earth's surface at an altitude of 30 km using a radiosonde. For the atmospheric layer between an altitude of 30 km and 90 km, measurements are carried out using a rocket, while if it is above an altitude of 90 km using a satellite. Meteorology is a science that studies the atmosphere which emphasizes a layer of air that surrounds the earth. There are main things studied in meteorology, including:
- wind
- cloud
- weather
- thunder
- light symptom
- water deposits in the air
- air temperature and pressure.
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The Beginning of the Evolution of the Atmosphere
According to geologists, at first the Earth's atmosphere contained high levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide), so the temperature on the Earth's surface was also high. At that time oxygen (O2) had not yet been formed so that there was no ozone layer in the stratosphere, because of that Ultraviolet rays from the sun that reach the earth's surface with a very intense radiation intensity strong. This condition is not possible for life, unless there may be life in very deep waters so that it is protected from ultra violet rays.
Around 3.5 billion years ago, the evolution of living things with chlorophyll that made it possible to carry out the process of photosynthesis began. Because photosynthesis requires CO2, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere decreases and vice versa, the level of O2 increases. Through this process, the ozone layer (O3) is formed.
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Functions and Benefits of the Layers of the Atmosphere
Functions of the atmosphere is to protect the four gaseous elements by the earth's gravity and to defend and protect against outside forces. The composition of the four elements is nitrogen by 78%, oxygen by 21%, carbon dioxide by 0.03% and argon by 0.9%.
We simplify the function of the atmosphere layer:
- Protector of the earth. What is protected? Protecting the earth's temperature to remain stable and keeping the weather and air humidity inside the earth also stable.
- Balancing and balancing the conditions inside and outside the earth.
- Reduces the heat that is given directly by the sun.
- Protect the earth from attacks by meteors or space objects.
- Keeping the earth's gravity stable.
In essence, the function of the atmosphere is to regulate the process of receiving heat from the sun. That is by absorbing sunlight and then reflecting the heat emitted by the sun. About 34% of 100% of the sun's reflected heat will be returned to space by the help of the atmosphere, cloud cover and the earth's surface. Then about 19% will be absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds.
And the remaining 47% reaches the earth's surface, meaning that the heat that reaches our skin is already absorbed or filtered by the atmosphere and clouds. Apart from the four gaseous elements, there are other elements that surround the earth's atmosphere including water vapor, krypton, neon, xinon, hydrogen and ozone.
Please note that the atmosphere layer is surrounded by a very thick layer, very thick The distance of these layers can reach thousands or even tens of thousands of kilometers from the planet to the outside space. The layer of the atmosphere of the planet Earth itself has a thickness of about 1000 kilometers from the surface or bottom of the earth and has a mass of 59 x 1014 tons. To be able to determine the distance between the layers of the atmosphere and the earth's surface using a radiosonde, this is specifically for a distance of 30 km and below.
But for measurements above 30 km - 90 km can only use a rocket. And for measurements above 90 km using satellites. One of the branches of science that deals with the atmosphere is Meteorology. Meteorology is a branch of science that studies the atmosphere or the layer of air that surrounds the planet (including Earth). The main lesson in meteorology is the study of wind, weather, light phenomena, deposits of water or water vapor in the air, air temperature or temperature and finally air pressure.
Here are some of the benefits of the atmosphere:
- Protects the earth from various kinds of space objects that fall to earth due to the earth's gravity.
- Protect the earth from ultraviolet radiation which is very dangerous, for the life of living things on earth with the ozone layer.
- Contains various gases needed by humans, animals and plants to breathe and for other purposes such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and others.
- Weather media that affect wind, clouds, snow, rain, typhoons, storms and so on.
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Atmospheric Composition
As mentioned above that the atmosphere consists of several compositions. Here's the explanation:
- Oxygen (O2) – The oxygen content in the atmosphere is 20.95%. As is well known that oxygen serves to convert materials / food substances that are processed / entered into the body into energy. Oxygen comes from trees. Therefore, the presence of trees is very helpful in maintaining the ozone layer. is very important for life, namely to convert nutrients into life energy.
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Carbon dioxide (CO2) – the level of carbon dioxide in the earth is 0.034%. This is a small number, but carbon dioxide can be produced from burning land, breathing humans and animals and the energy that plants need. One of the effects of carbon dioxide is that it can cause a greenhouse effect on electromagnetic radiation. So do not be surprised if the increase or the increasing amount of carbon dioxide will cause an increase in temperature on the earth's surface.
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Nitrogen (N2) – is the most abundant element in the Earth's atmosphere. There are about 78.08%. The presence of nitrogen is needed by organic compounds, so even so, nitrogen does not directly form new compounds with other elements.
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Neon (Ne), argon (Ar), xenon (Xe), and krypton (Kr) – are noble gases. Why? because these four elements are not easy to combine with other elements so it will be difficult to form other compounds.
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Helium (He) and hydrogen (H2) – very rare in air except at high levels. This gas is the lightest and is often used to fill meteorological balloons.
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Ozone (O3) – is another form of oxygen so it is very effective at absorbing ultraviolet radiation where this radiation has enormous energy and is harmful to the human body. Ozone can only be reached at an altitude between 20 km – 30 km.
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Water vapor (H2O) – present in the atmosphere as a result of evaporation from oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, and plant transpiration. Water vapor is very important in weather or climate processes, because it can change phases.
ATMOSPHERE GAS COMPOSITION
KINDS OF GAS |
VOLUME % |
| Nitrogen | 78,08 |
| Oxygen | 20,95 |
| Argon | 0,93 |
| carbon dioxide | 0,034 |
| Neon | 0,0018 |
| Helium | 0,0005 |
| Ozone | 0,00006 |
| Hydrogen | 0,00005 |
| Krypton | 0,00011 |
| Methane | 0,00015 |
| Xenon | VERY SMALL |
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Layers of the Atmosphere and Their Functions
There are 4 layers of the atmosphere that surround the earth. These include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere and exosphere. Of the six layers of the atmosphere have characteristics and functions as well as different distances from one another. Here's the explanation.
Troposphere Lapisan
Troposphere is – Humans in the traposphere are still able to breathe. So it is not surprising that we see mountain climbers can still survive in this layer. However, it can cause fatigue and cold sweat.
Natural phenomena such as changes in weather and climate occur in this layer. The troposphere layer contains 2 chemical compounds, namely carbon dioxide and water vapor, these 2 compounds are the most commonly found compared to other layers.
The troposphere is located at an altitude of 0 to 12 kilometers above the earth's surface. The troposphere is the most basic layer close to the earth, so the troposphere functions to maintain the stability of the air on earth. Some of the uses of this layer are:
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The Emergence of Various Natural Phenomena
There are several natural phenomena that can occur in the troposphere, including the occurrence of very strong winds strong, followed by torrential rains and alternating thunderstorms which were initially marked by heavy clouds thick. Humans basically live in this layer. -
Barrier Layer (Tropopause)
After the troposphere, there is a balancing layer that connects with the layers of the atmosphere at a higher level. This boundary layer or tropopause includes the atmospheric layer which is considered constant.
This means that in this boundary layer all elements of oxygen and carbon dioxide are gone. So that living things, including humans, will neither live nor be able to stay long. -
Temperatures in Different Layers
The shape of the earth is spherical, but its location is similar to that of people bowing, which also causes the height of the layers to vary. For example, the distance between the earth's surface and the polar regions, which is only about 8 kilometers high with a humidity temperature of approximately -46⁰ Celsius. Another area with a temperate climate has a distance of 11 kilometers from the troposphere with a temperature of -50⁰ Celsius. It's different with areas that are in the imaginary line of the equator or the equator has a height of about 16 kilometers with a temperature of approximately -50⁰ Celsius. -
Troposphere Temperature Conditions Keadaan
As the benefit of the troposphere is to balance temperature and air, but the troposphere layer cannot balance temperature or temperature. Therefore we see that there is a temperature difference between one place and another.
For example, if we are in a high position, we will automatically feel a cold temperature, whereas if we are at a lower position we will feel a hot temperature. It should be noted that each layer in the atmosphere has a special sub-layer, including:
- The layer with a distance of 0-1 kilometers above the earth's surface is called the water planet layer.
- Layers with a distance of 1 - 8 kilometers are called convection layers (air circulation).
- Layers with a distance of 8-12 kilometers are called the tropopause layer. In this layer air will not be found.
Stratosphere Lapisan
The statosphere is – The layer that is cold and occupied only by ozone. The stratosphere layer serves as a protector from ultraviolet radiation waves that are very dangerous when exposed to human skin.
The ozone layer will be depleted if activities in the world do a lot of damage such as massive tree cutting. The layer above the tropopause, the troposphere. Some of the characteristics of this layer are:
- O3 (Ozone) Layer Place
Many of us do not really realize that the ozone layer as we know it is a sub / part of the stratosphere layer. The ozone layer is located at a distance of 35 kilometers above the earth's surface. Differences in temperature will begin to appear in this layer, for example, differences in pressure, air and temperature. This layer has a very important influence, why? Because in this layer light from the sun will not directly enter the earth's surface, but will be absorbed. As in the case at the end of the day as a result of global warming, it is feared that the ozone layer is perforated. Ultraviolet rays that enter through these gaps, can increase the risk of skin cancer and other dangerous diseases. -
Stratopause Barrier Layer
Just like in the troposphere, the stratosphere also has a boundary layer. In this layer the temperature is relatively stable, namely the temperature range of 5⁰C. Stratosphere sub-sections are as follows:
1. isotherm layer
2. Hot layer
3. Top mixed layer
Mesosphere Layer
The mesosphere is the layer at an altitude of 50 kilometers to 75 kilometers above the earth's surface. The third layer of the atmosphere, there is a significant decrease in temperature with each increase in altitude.
The temperature in the mesosphere layer can reach 0.4 ° C every 100 meters at an altitude. If you ask Why can a very large meteor be destroyed before entering the earth? The reason is that in the mesosphere every incoming space object will be burned and decomposed into dust. Because in this layer at the lowest altitude of the mesosphere the temperature is around 10°C and the highest distance is -120°C.
What are the characteristics of the mesosphere layer? The mesosphere has the characteristics of a layer height between 50 kilometers to 75 kilometers. And in this layer the temperature is unstable, every 100 meters the temperature will decrease by 0.4°C. What are the characteristics of the mesosphere layer? Here's the explanation:
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Protector of Earth from Space Objects
How does the mesosphere protect the earth from outer space? The trick is to take advantage of the temperature instability at every 100 meters. So that space objects that want to enter will be scorched and even become dust before reaching the earth. -
Changes in Weather and Temperature
The values are quite extreme in terms of temperature and weather conditions, which range between 10°C and the highest distance is -120°C. -
Mesopause barrier Lapisan
Just like the previous 2 layers, the mesosphere layer is directly adjacent to the thermosphere. This means that in this layer there is absolutely no air.
The part of the mesosphere that is directly adjacent to the thermosphere is the mesopause layer or it can also be called the transition layer.
The Thermosphere (Ionosphere)
The thermosphere is the layer where the ionization of particles occurs so that it will have an effect on propagation or reflection of radio waves, both low and high frequency radio waves.
The thermosphere layer is located at an altitude of 80 kilometers to 100 kilometers. After the mesosphere, there is a layer further away from the mesosphere. Do you know about aurora? Well, in the thermosphere layer aurora can be formed. Here's the explanation:
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Aurora appears
The thermosphere is also known as the ionosphere. This is due to the ionization process in particles or molecules. The existence of an ionization process that results in various electron addition and subtraction reactions which will produce beautiful colorful light. This light is known as an aurora. -
Temperature Change
The temperature changes in the thermosphere layer range from 40°C to 1232°C. -
Electric Charge
There are many ionization processes in the ionosphere. This causes this layer to be electrically charged due to ionization processes and activities. -
Radio Wave Reflection Site
Many television and radio media companies use this layer for the reflection of radio waves. In this layer, long and short radio waves are reflected which are in the Kennelly and Appleton sub layers.
Sub/Section Ionosphere Layer:
- The Kennelly Heavyside layer or known as the E layer is located at an altitude of 100 kilometers to 200 kilometers from the earth's surface
- The Appleton layer or commonly known as the F layer is located at a distance of 200 kilometers to 400 kilometers from the earth's surface
- Layers of atoms that are at a distance of 400 kilometers to 800 kilometers.
Exosphere Layer
The exosphere is the last layer that covers the earth with a distance of above 800 kilometers to 3260 kilometers. What happens to the exosphere? In this layer there are various interactions between gases in outer space.
The strength or attraction of the earth in the low exosphere layer because it is quite far from the earth's surface. This is why the effect of gravity on this layer is very small. Because the exosphere layer begins to interact very hard with the composition of gases in outer space.
Very little gas is found in the exosphere. So that the appearance of dim light in the u = layer is due to the very small amount of hydrogen element. This faint light is known as the zodiacal light and the gegenscherin.
This faint light that appears is basically the result of reflection of sunlight which is then reflected by countless meteoritic dust particles. Please note that the exosphere is the hottest layer than the other 4 layers. This layer is often referred to as interplanetary space and geostationary. This layer is very dangerous, because it is where the destruction of meteors from outer space occurs.
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What is the Function of the Ozone Layer?
Ozone layer is a layer of O3 gas located at the stratosphere level that naturally envelops or protects the earth's surface from ultraviolet rays or radiation originating from the sun. Ozone in the troposphere can have a negative impact. This is because it can form a very dangerous and even toxic smog.
Many companies engaged in the industrial sector produce ozone gas and release it into the air so that it can pollute the environment. However, because this amount of ozone is only 90% of the total ozone on Earth and is located at high altitudes 20 km, it can be used as a shield which is often referred to by earth experts as staratospheric ozone.
Do you know what the function of the ozone layer is? There are as many as 3 functions of the ozone layer including:
- Absorb any radiation or ultraviolet light that enters the earth's surface.
- Protect the earth from outer space objects such as meteors that will fall to earth.
- Neutralize or stabilize the temperature on the earth's surface so that global warming can be overcome.
The ozone layer is very important for living things on earth. Because the ozone layer protects the earth from ultraviolet rays or radiation or abbreviated as UV-B which is very dangerous for creatures on earth. UV-B wavelength is in the range of 280-315 nano meters, part of this wavelength is absorbed by ozone. So that only a few reach the earth's surface. If radiation enters the earth without being absorbed by the ozone layer, it will cause skin cancer, cataracts and can reduce the human immune system.
In addition, UV-B radiation or exposure can also damage plant life, eukaryotic organisms or single cells and the order of aquatic ecosystems. Unlike the case of ultraviolet exposure with a wavelength of 315-400 nano meters which we shorten with UV-A, this emission is not absorbed by the ozone layer.
Because at this wavelength UV-A radiation is very beneficial for the survival of creatures on earth. This is why the ozone layer is so important. Because the ozone layer is able to absorb ultraviolet rays from the sun to protect high radiation from reaching the earth's surface.
What are the Causes and Impacts of the Depletion of the Ozone Layer?
The concern of scientists was proven by the discovery of one of the causes of the depletion of the ozone layer, namely: the presence of CFC or chloro fluorocarbon compounds which are commonly used in refrigerants and spray propellants aerosols. If this compound is released into the air, the compound will be broken down by sunlight which will cause chlorine molecules to react and destroy ozone (O3) molecules.
Every single CFC molecule is capable of breaking down and destroying up to one hundred thousand (100,000) ozone molecules. So, if this continues to happen, the ozone layer will continue to thin even to a hole. So dangerous is the ozone layer, that scientists continue to campaign for the use of CFCs to be reduced and forest plantings to be increased.
If the ozone layer is depleted, it will have an impact on the weak absorption of UV-B rays that enter the earth's surface. This UV-B radiation will then have an effect on human health. Not only affects humans, but the entire ecosystem structure also affects marine life, which becomes unstable, can reduce agricultural and forest yields. The most dangerous effect for humans is an increase in skin diseases and can damage the eyes so that cataracts arise and can at most weaken the body's immune system human.
The impacts that occur on agriculture include destroying the world's main crops. Plants will experience a decrease in productivity which is marked by the dwarf form of the plant. The impact of the waters can indirectly kill fish, crabs and shrimp in the ocean. And will reduce one source of animal food, namely plankton.
In addition to CFC gases, the greenhouse effect is also the cause of the depletion of the ozone layer. With so many impacts from depleting the ozone layer, it causes the world organization to take steps and form a body called UNEP (United Nation Environment Programme).
This agency is an agency under the auspices of the United Nations which is engaged in environmental and natural protection programs. By knowing the dangers posed by the depletion of the ozone layer. So we are expected to be able to protect and preserve the earth by reducing the use of CFCs and the greenhouse effect.
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Classification of Earth's Layer Structure Struktur
In order to understand more about the atmosphere, it helps us here to explain about the earth. What is earth? Earth is one of the planets in the solar system located in the Milky Way galaxy or the Milk Ways or white fog. In this case the earth is ranked third from the sun. But keep in mind that there are more than 200 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy. And also the galaxies in outer space are very numerous.
A branch of science that studies the occurrence, structure and composition of the earth's crust is geophysics. In this science, it states that the earth's elements are approximately 4700 years old, starting from the cooling process until they experience freezing. And the earth continues to rotate on its axis for 24 hours and undergoes a revolution around the sun for 365 days and 4 hours 48 minutes in one year.
Then there are also geologists classify the earth based on its structure. They argue based on the mass of gas which will gradually undergo a cooling process so that over time it hardens. This cooling process has been going on for millions of years. So that the earth-forming substances that consist of chemical and physical properties have separated themselves.
Earth Physical Properties Fisik this is what we will discuss further in this chapter. From the results of research geologists say planet earth consists of 3 layers of structure, namely the earth's crust, the earth's blanket and the earth's core.
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Earth's Crust or Crash
Earth's crust or Crash is the part of the earth's layer that lies beyond the earth's surface. The thickness of this layer is up to 70 km. Researched by geophysicists that this layer consists of various types of rock and acid. And it is also in this layer that humans and other living things live.
If we look deeper, the temperature in the deepest part of the earth's crust can reach 1,100 degrees Celsius. And the layer of the earth that is located 100 km below the earth's crust is called the lithosphere. The composition of the earth's crust consists of 2 types of materials, namely feldfar and silicate minerals. Then the land that we occupy now is a layer of the earth's crust that is in the mainland area. The soil we now live in is made up of various types of solid material that have been overwritten by the weather and contains a lot of organic matter is derived from the decay of living things in ancient times. -
Cover or Blanket Earth (Mantle)
Geophysicists agree to call the earth's blanket the asthenosphere. Where is this layer located? They replied, this layer lies beneath the earth's crust. The thickness of the asthenosphere can reach 2,900 km and is a dense rock layer consisting of various types of materials that contain liquids, solids or gases at very high temperatures high. This layer has a very high temperature, reaching 3,000 degrees Celsius. The function of this earth blanket is to protect the earth's core. The composition consists of one type of element, namely magnesium. However, we also need to inform you that the earth's mantle consists of 2 layers namely. The upper mantle layer which is plastic to semiplastic with a depth of up to 400 km and the lower mantle layer which is only dense with a depth of up to 2,900 km. -
Earth's Core or Core
The Earth's core or Core is part of the Earth's layer structure consisting of various liquid materials with its constituent elements are 90% iron metal, 8% nickel and various other types of materials to a depth of 2900-5200 km. Earth's core layer is divided into two, namely the outer core layer or called the outer core and the inner core layer called the inner core. These two layers have very different thicknesses such as the outer core layer which has a thickness of up to 2000 km and the inner core layer which has a thickness of 2700 km.
The temperature in each core is also different. As with the outer core temperature, which can reach 2200 degrees Celsius and 4700 degrees Celsius for the inner core layer. Geophysicists say that the composition of the Earth's core material has the same specific gravity as that of metal meteorites, which consists of 2 elements, namely iron and nickel.
So that way experts are very sure that the material that makes up the earth is made up of two chemical compounds of iron and nickel. Therefore, with the two compounds we mentioned earlier, we conclude that the characteristics of the earth's layers are hard and solid. And also covered by a thick liquid layer. Similarly, the outer or upper part of the lithosphere is a layer that has a hard and solid nature.
Earth's Chemical Properties consists of four parts. The first solid part consisting of various types of soil and rock or called the lithosphere. The two parts consisting of various types of aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, rivers and the sea are called the hydrosphere.
The third part that consists of air and covers the entire surface of the earth is called the atmosphere. And the fourth part occupied by living things and other organisms is called the biosphere. However, on this occasion we simply explain two parts of the earth's chemical properties, namely the atmosphere and hisrosphere. Because these two layers are enough to play a role in the continuity of life on earth.
First, the atmosphere as we have reported above that the role of the atmosphere is very much one of which is where the ozone layer is located. Second, the hydrosphere which covers and surrounds the entire water area on the earth's surface. Namely includes oceans, lakes, springs, rain and the sea. So no wonder we mention the earth is covered by a layer of the hydrosphere. Because 3/4 of the earth is covered by water. The water cycle in the earth is in the hydrological circle. That is, starting from water that falls to the earth through rain and then falls into the oceans and oceans. Then it flows into the river and back again into the atmosphere.
Water according to geologists is divided into 3 parts, namely:
- Water on the earth's surface. Such as sea water, rivers, lakes, oceans, swamps, ice and glaciers at the poles.
- Water in the air. Such as water vapor, fog and various types of clouds.
- Water on the ground. Such as spring water, capillary water, artois and geysers.
Unique and truly extraordinary the composition of the water on the earth's surface does not increase nor decrease. However, its form and place have changed. This change in form then forms a cycle called hydrology. What is the hydrologic cycle?
The hydrological cycle is the process of water circulation starting from steam to become clouds and when the cloud has undergone a saturation point process it will fall to form rainwater and so on. There are three changes in the form of the water cycle, namely solid, liquid and gas. All of this revolves around the cycle earlier.