THE AIR WE BREATHE

Earth’s Atmosphere

The atmosphere is broken down into 4 distinct layers based on temperature variations.

TROPOSPHEREextends from the earth’s surface to

approximately the top of Mt. Everest75% of all gases weather occurs heretemperature decreases with altitude

(1.5 °C/1,000 feet) known as the lapse rate

- this is due to adiabatic cooling- warm air rises, there is less atmospheric pressure which allows the air to expand and cool

TROPOPAUSEnot a layeracts as a ceiling for weathercontains the Jet Streams- west to east flow of air- maximum speed of 200 mph

STRATOSPHERE temperatures increase with altitude

due to the good ozone layer absorbing UV radiation from the sun

- UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and genetic mutations- prior ozone in our atmosphere life only existed in water - This ozone is being depleted by CFC’s (refrigerants and propellants for aerosols)