56: The Atmosphere

Introduction
The atmosphere is a thick layer of gases that cover Earth. Without atmosphere, life would not exist on
this planet.
This lesson will help you describe the different layers of the atmosphere. At the end of this lesson, you
will also be aware of human activities that affect the atmosphere and make you understand how a
student like you can help protect the atmosphere.
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is composed of different layers. Each layer can be distinguished from the other because
of its unique characteristics.

It is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere. It is

where light phenomena such as aurora borealis and
aurora australis occur.

It is the hottest layer of atmosphere because it is

the layer most exposed to ultraviolet rays of Sun.

It has a temperature colder than that of

stratosphere. This layer has strong winds.
It is composed of the protective layer called ozone
layer. Aircrafts, such as airplanes and helicopters,
can reach up to this layer only. It is hotter than
troposphere.
It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere closest to
the ground. Any change in troposphere causes
change in weather. It is composed of all gases
needed by living things, ice, dust, and water.

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Human Activities that Affect the Atmosphere

The atmosphere protects us from harmful rays of Sun. It reflects the heat coming from Sun back into
space.
It is the ozone layer, a protective layer that contains the chemical ozone that blocks the harmful rays
from Sun. The ozone layer can be destroyed when greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur
oxides, methane, carbon dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) are released into the atmosphere.
Human activities affect the atmosphere and cause depletion of the ozone layer. Some of these activities
are:
1. Burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases.
2. Using fertilizers produces nitrogen oxides.
3. Burning of fuels in automobiles causes release of carbon dioxide.
4. Factories that make plastics and foams produce large amount of CFC.
5. Burning of forests and grasslands release carbon dioxide and methane.
Question Examples
1. _____is the third layer of the atmosphere from the ground.
Mesosphere
Explanation: The atmosphere is composed of different layerstroposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
thermosphere, and exosphere.
2. Which of the following is the function of ozone?
Ozone destroys the ozone layer.
Ozone is present in stratosphere.
Ozone blocks the harmful rays from Sun.
Ozone keeps the harmful rays from Sun.
Explanation: Though ozone is present in stratosphere, this option does not explain the function of
ozone. Ozone is a chemical that blocks the harmful rays from Sun.

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Quiz
1. Which of the following layers of the atmosphere contains most of the gases needed by living things?
Exosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Troposphere
Explanation: Troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground. Thus, it contains all gases
needed by living things.
Hint: It is the layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground.
2. An old car emits greenhouse gases. Which of the following is/are the possible gas/es released by the
car?
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrogen
Water vapor
Explanation: Nitrogen and water vapor are gases that cannot destroy the ozone layer; therefore, they
are not greenhouse gases. Both carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases.
3. _____ is the layer of the atmosphere in which aircrafts can still fly.
Stratosphere
Explanation: Aircrafts can reach up to stratosphere only. Next to stratosphere is mesosphere, a layer of
atmosphere with strong winds that aircrafts cannot withstand.
4. Who among the following perform human activity that does not contribute to the production or
release of greenhouse gases?
Dani, an engineer, uses methane as fuel.
Brian, a farmer, uses compost in growing crops.
Mike, a farmer, burns the forest for planting crops.
Alex, a chemist, uses nitrogen oxides in production of acid.

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Explanation: Both Dani and Alex are involved in usage of two of the greenhouse gasesmethane and
nitrogen oxides. Burning of forests contribute to the production of carbon dioxide and methane. Brian
uses compost, an organic fertilizer which does not contain nitrogen oxides.
5. Which of the following layers of the atmosphere is closest to the ground?
Exosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Explanation: Troposphere contains all gases needed by living things; so, it is the one closest to the
ground.
6. Which of the following materials contains CFC?
Foam
Paper
Plastic
Wood
Explanation: Both paper and wood come from trees and that makes them safe to use. Foam and plastic
are made of materials containing CFC.
7. Which of the following statements suggests ways in protecting the atmosphere?
Use bicycle in going to near places.
Burn fossil fuels in generating electricity.
Reuse plastic in storing materials at home.
Use chemicals containing nitrogen oxide to keep the soil fertilized.
Explanation: Use of bicycle does not require burning of fuels that contribute to the production of carbon
dioxide and methane. Reuse of plastic lessens its production and effects to less use of CFC.
8. Arrange the following layers of atmosphere from lowest to uppermost.
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

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Exosphere
Stratosphere
Answer:
Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
Explanation: The layers of the atmosphere are arranged from lowest to uppermost in this order:
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
9. Why is thermosphere the hottest layer of the atmosphere?
The thermosphere is the hottest layer of the atmosphere because it contains all the gases needed by
living things.
The thermosphere is the hottest layer of the atmosphere because it is most exposed to the ultraviolet
rays from Sun.
The thermosphere is the hottest layer of the atmosphere because it has the ozone layer that blocks the
heat from Sun.
The thermosphere is the hottest layer of the atmosphere because it is the uppermost layer of the
atmosphere and is most exposed to Sun.
Explanation: Thermosphere does not contain all gases needed by living things and the ozone layer. It is
not the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.
10. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
Methane
Nitrogen oxide
Oxygen
Sulfur oxide
Explanation: The greenhouse gases are nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, methane, carbon dioxide, and
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC).

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