Sometimes the atmosphere, a thick layer surrounding our planet, called the fifth ocean.No wonder the second name of the aircraft - aircraft.The atmosphere is a mixture of various gases, which are dominated by nitrogen and oxygen.It is thanks to the latter on the planet possible life in the manner to which we are accustomed.Besides them, there are 1% other components.This inert (not chemically react) gases, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide.Also in the fifth ocean contains mechanical impurities: dust, ashes and so on. All the layers of the atmosphere a total stretch of almost 480 km from the surface (the data are different, more on this point stop, etc.).This impressive thickness forms a kind of impenetrable shield that protects the planet from the harmful cosmic radiation and large objects.
are the following layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, followed by the stratosphere, mesosphere, and further, finally, the thermosphere.The above procedure begins at the planet's surface.The dense layers of the atmosphere are presented by the first two.They filtered out much of the destructive cosmic radiation.
The lowest layer of the atmosphere - the troposphere, extends only 12 km above sea level (18 km in the tropics).There was concentrated to 90% of water vapor, so the cloud formed therein.Most of the air is also concentrated here.All subsequent layers of the atmosphere colder, as the proximity to the surface allows the reflected rays of the sun to heat the air.
The stratosphere extends to nearly 50 km from the surface.Most weather balloons "swim" in this layer.Also, there can fly some types of aircraft.One of the amazing features of a temperature control: in the range of 25 to 40 km begins the growth temperature.-60 Degrees Celsius, it rises almost to 1. Then there is a slight decrease to zero, which is preserved to a height of 55 km.The upper limit - it is the notorious ozone layer.
further to almost 90 km stretches mesosphere.The air temperature here drops sharply.For every 100 meters rise decrease by 0.3 degrees.Sometimes it is called the coldest portion of the atmosphere.The air density is low, but it is enough to create resistance to the falling meteors.
atmosphere in the conventional sense an end at an altitude of about 118 km.It formed the famous aurorae.Above the thermosphere region begins.Because X-rays and ultraviolet rays are ionized those few molecules of air contained in the area.These processes create a so-called ionosphere (which is often included in the thermosphere, so the individual is not considered).
Anything above 700 km, called the exosphere.The concentration of air molecules is extremely small, so they move freely, without experiencing resistance due to collisions.This allows some of them to store energy corresponding to 160 degrees Celsius, though the ambient temperature is low.The gas molecules are distributed over the volume exosphere in accordance with its own mass, so the most severe of these can be found only in the bottom layer.Decreases with height pull of the planet can no longer hold the molecule, so high-energy cosmic particles and radiation reported gas molecules momentum sufficient to leave the atmosphere.This area is one of the most extensive: it is believed that the atmosphere is completely transformed into the vacuum of space at altitudes above 2,000 km (sometimes even appears the number 10000).Satellites orbiting the planet back in the thermosphere.
All these numbers are approximate, since the boundary atmospheric layers depend on several factors, for example, solar activity.
