Allen, O.E. 2. However, white light is composed of light waves of all the colors of the spectrum, each color having a different wavelength. The spheres are the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Atmosphere Definition . It reflects relatively long radio waves. Atmos means “air.” The atmosphere includes all the gases surrounding the Earth. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage.  The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the atmosphere. Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops. Environmental scientists study things like the atmosphere, the oceans, geology, habitats, and ecology. One of its jobs is to basically cover the planet to protect us from the vacuum of space, down here on Earth. Winds in this layer move mostly in a vertical motion. It is often called air. To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma. We often call the atmosphere “air.” All planets have an atmosphere, but Earth is the only planet with the correct combination of gases to support life. The realm comprising of water is known as hydrosphere. ATMOSPHERE 'ATMOSPHERE' is a 10 letter word starting with A and ending with E Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for ATMOSPHERE We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word atmosphere will help you to finish your crossword today. Learner's definition of ATMOSPHERE 1 a [singular] : the whole mass of air that surrounds the Earth Experts have noticed changes in the atmosphere. The highest layer of the atmosphere, the exosphere, extends beyond the thermosphere. At sea level, air exerts a pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch (101.36 kilopascals). and Day, J.A. Only the Earth’s atmosphere will be dealt with in this article. The stratosphere includes the ozone layer. The definition of atmosphere is an overall feeling and/or effect of a place, specially if it is an environment of pleasure or interest. (For information about the atmospheres of the other planets see planet.). Ultraviolet rays fill the exosphere, and faint glows called zodiacal light that are due to sunlight reflected from particles of meteoric dust originate in this layer. The thermosphere extends up to 300 miles (480 kilometers) and is characterized by a rapid rise in temperature with increasing altitude. At nighttime, it's colder outside, but the greenhouse stays pretty wa… At sea level, air has a pressure of 14.7 pounds (6.7 kilograms) per square inch. There, the gas particles are pressed together by the weight of the air above them. Information and translations of atmosphere in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. (Walker, 1985). The atmosphere consists of several different gases. How Did We Find Out About the Atmosphere? The mesosphere—up to 40 miles (65 kilometers) above the Earth—is characterized by a rapid decrease in temperature with increasing altitude. Learn more. The term weather describes the state of the atmosphere at a given point in time and geographic location. After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. Abbr. A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar. Other planets, and some of their larger moons, also have atmospheres. There are lots of other gases that are part of the atmosphere, but in much smaller amounts. These cycles are important for the existence of living organisms. Nitrogen and oxygen account for 99 percent of the gases in dry air, with argon, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, and other gases making up minute portions. Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards. We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. This region is caused by solar X rays and consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen atoms. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the terms of our cookie policy, which can be found in our. Most of Earth’s weather, including the wind and most clouds, exists in the troposphere. It is often called air. These include argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, hydrogen, and more. The Sun’s rays that stream down to the Earth appear as white light. We live at the bottom of an invisible ocean called the atmosphere, a layer of gases surrounding our planet. The Atmosphere (Barron, 1989). They divide it into layers on the basis of varying temperature, varying electrical characteristics, and varying composition. During the day as the heat of the Sun penetrates the air and warms the Earth, the atmosphere traps this heat so that it escapes more slowly into space, making the night warmer than it would be without this effect. As height increases, the air molecules become separated by more space, and the weight decreases. An example of atmosphere is the creepy feeling one gets whenever they walk past the old, abandoned neighborhood house which is rumored to be haunted. It is the region closest to the Earth’s surface and where weather occurs, and it is characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude. Atmosphere refers to the gases surrounding a star or planetary body held in place by gravity. Layers of the atmos… Atmosphere:  Absorbs the energy from the Sun  protects us from high-energy radiation  The atmosphere protects and supports life. Many people use the term geosphere to describe lithosphere. Definition of Atmosphere. Earth’s atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the … Many people also say that every sphere is essentially a geosphere because it is an integral part of the world. (For information about the atmospheres of the other planets see planet.) The E region, also called the Kennelly-Heaviside layer, is a moderately ionized layer extending from 55 to 100 miles (90 to 160 kilometers) high. atm Physics A unit of pressure equal to the air pressure at sea level. The four spheres are lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. A literary technique, atmosphere is a type of feeling that readers get from a narrative, based on details such as setting, background, objects, and foreshadowing.A mood can serve as a vehicle for establishing atmosphere. That is wrong. Weather forecasts provide an estimate of the conditions we expect to experience in the near future and are based on statistical models of similar conditions from previous weather events. Take a minute to check out all the enhancements! Schaefer, V.J. To learn more about cookies and your cookie choices. The gases are held close to Earth by a force called gravity. To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma. As it passes through the atmosphere, sunlight is reflected and refracted by the air molecules and by dust particles and molecules of water vapor. Definition of atmosphere in the Definitions.net dictionary. The top of the troposphere layer of the atmosphere is called the tropopause. All land or rocks and ground form the geosphere. The atmosphere becomes thinner and thinner as the distance from Earth increases. The concentrations of heavier elements, such as nitrogen and oxygen, decrease with increasing altitude, so that eventually the atmosphere is dominated by the lighter elements, such as helium and hydrogen. The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages. That’s pretty cool don’t you think? The spheres interact to effect Earth’s systems and processes. The atmosphere is the layer of gas that surrounds Earth. Outer space is black because there is no atmosphere to scatter the light waves. Air Pressure & Altitude; Atmosphere Physical Process. After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. The second layer, the stratosphere, extends to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. In the lower regions of the atmosphere, up to about 65 miles (100 kilometers) above the Earth, turbulence causes a continuous mixing of the constituent elements of the atmosphere so that the composition is relatively uniform. Air becomes lighter farther away from Earth’s surface. To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar. Near Earth’s surface, the atmosphere is about three-fourths nitrogen and one-fifth oxygen. 2. Meaning of atmosphere. The fifth and highest layer of the atmosphere is the exosphere. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. 1 : the whole mass of air that surrounds the earth. What is it? As the weight of the air decreases, so does the air pressure. The short blue light waves are more widely scattered and rescattered than are the long red waves. Its ionization varies greatly, and the layer disappears at night. Sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere, passing through the blanket of greenhouse gases. It is also called barometric pressure. Gases surrounding our planet create our atmosphere Earth's atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds our planet. The gases are held close to Earth by a force called gravity. Only the Earth’s atmosphere will be dealt with in this article. The third layer is the mesosphere. Britannica does not review the converted text. The atmosphere might be invisible, but there's a lot going on up there! The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages. The troposphere extends up to 6 miles (10 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface. The Earth has an atmosphere made up of 5 layers, and the stratosphere is its second layer. The density of the air is so low in this layer that the concept of temperature loses its customary meaning. 3 letter words We've arranged the synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find. The layer closest to Earth is the troposphere. Search the meaning and definition of over one hundred thousand words! It extends up to about 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. As the weight of the air decreases, so does the air pressure. Even worse, the levels of methane in the atmosphere are rising at more than 1 per cent a year. Maury, Jean-Pierre. A greenhouse is a building with glass walls and a glass roof. The stratosphere extends up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) above the Earth and is characterized by an increase in temperature with increasing altitude and by jet streams that move mostly in a horizontal motion. Vital exchanges of matter and energy occur between the atmosphere and the oceans, which are vast reservoirs of the heat, moisture, and carbon dioxide needed by the atmosphere. The atmosphere, in turn, supplies ocean surfaces with the energy of motion that produces ocean currents. Once absorbed, this energy is sent back into the atmosphere. atmosphere definition: 1. the mixture of gases around the earth: 2. a mixture of gases that surrounds any planet: 3. the…. Scientists divide the atmosphere into five regions, or layers. Above this is the heterosphere, where various constituents tend to separate out. Scientists also divide the atmosphere into layers on the basis of electrical properties. The density of the atmosphere decreases outward, because the gravitational attraction of the planet, which pulls the gases and aerosols (microscopic suspended particles of dust, soot, smoke, or chemicals) inward, is greatest close to the surface. These regions make up the homosphere. The fourth layer, the thermosphere, ranges from about 50 to 300 miles (80 to 480 kilometers) above Earth. Lithosphere Definition for Kids. The weight of the air is known as atmospheric pressure. Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops. Air is heaviest at sea level because the air molecules are compressed by the weight of overlying air. At 100,000 feet (30,480 meters), air density is so low that air exerts a pressure of only 0.18 pound per square inch (1.24 kilopascals). Beyond its outer boundary is the magnetosphere, a magnetic envelope that shelters the Earth from the ionized blast of the solar wind. 2 : the gas surrounding a heavenly body (as a planet) The atmosphere of Mars is made up mostly of carbon dioxide. The phenomenon of airglow, luminescence due to reradiation of sunlight by heated atmospheric particles, originates in this layer. The atmosphere thins out as Earth's gravitational pull decreases. Atmosphere For Kids: Atmosphere. The atmosphere serves to moderate the extremes of heat and cold on the Earth. As you might expect from the name, the greenhouse effect works … like a greenhouse! Encyclopedic entry. The atmosphere is the air that plants and animals breathe to survive. Auroras are a spectacular feature of this layer. The pressure is greatest at sea level. This layer protects the Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Ozone blocks much of the Sun’s radiation that would harm plants and animals if it reached Earth. The atmosphere is 500km thick. The atmosphere is in constant motion due to the Earth’s rotation and changes in temperature and pressure. For example, the atmosphere interacts with land to affect weather. Large masses of air moving above the Earth’s surface can cause changes in weather and produce winds with speeds of over 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour). The atmosphere is the layer of gas that surrounds the earth, including the air that you breathe. Overall they recognize a neutral atmosphere, which lies below about 40 miles, and the ionosphere above it.  It burns incoming meteoroids. If the Earth is compared to an orange, the atmosphere can be considered the skin of the orange. The atmosphere also protects the Earth’s inhabitants to some extent from meteor particles, cosmic rays, radiation from the Sun and stars, atmospheric dust, and other hazards. Earth is comprised of four spheres. On the basis of temperature, scientists distinguish five layers. Near Earth’s surface, the atmosphere is about three-fourths nitrogen and one-fifth oxygen. Choose a language from the menu above to view a computer-translated version of this page. Kids Definition of atmosphere. The F1 layer lies between 100 and 150 miles (160 and 240 kilometers) above the Earth, consists mainly of oxygen atoms, and reflects shorter radio waves. The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because greenhouse gases trap energy from the sun. Definition of atmosphere noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards. The F2 layer, above 150 miles and the densest of the ionospheric regions, consists mainly of strong nitrogen ions and reflects extremely short radio waves. The air or climate in a specific place. phere (ăt′mə-sfîr′) n. 1. At the outermost part of the ionosphere helium becomes dominant at about 600 miles (960 kilometers), and hydrogen above about 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers). The total mass of the atmosphere is estimated to be some 5.5 quadrillion (55 followed by 14 zeros) tons (4.99 quadrillion metric tons). The Earth's atmosphere is divided up into five layers:Let's Learn about each layer one by one. As height increases, the air molecules become separated by more space, and the weight decreases. (See also Earth, “The Atmosphere.”). A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar. Britannica does not review the converted text. Choose a language from the menu above to view a computer-translated version of this page. In the late 1980s there was some concern that the ozone layer was being destroyed by pollution, and an effort was begun to prevent its destruction (see environmental pollution). Atmosphere . This layer ends where Earth’s gravity is too weak to prevent particles of gas from drifting into space. In the daytime, sunlight shines into the greenhouse and warms the plants and air inside. Scientists have developed three different classification systems for the atmosphere. Three-quarters of the atmosphere is located within 11 kilometers of the Earth's surface. Atmosphere (Time-Life, 1983). To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar. Atmosphere, the gas and aerosol envelope that extends from the ocean, land, and ice-covered surface of a planet outward into space. All living organisms, right from the algae to the plants, the wildlife to human beings, form the biosphere. A body is more likely to retain an atmosphere over time if gravity is high and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. The Earth and other planets of the solar system are each enclosed in a thin shell of gas called an atmosphere. The ionosphere—a region of electrically charged particles, or ions—may be divided into regions according to the degree of ionization. It extends up to about 6 miles (10 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. Earth’s atmosphere is similar to a jacket for our planet. Because of this, the sky appears blue. This scattering process is called diffusion. 3 : the air … the air or climate in a particular place the atmosphere was thick with smoke a general pervasive feeling or mood an atmosphere of elation the prevailing tone or mood of a novel, symphony, painting, or other work of art a special mood or character associated with a place The realm of our planet comprising of air is known as atmosphere. A significant feature of the stratosphere is the ozone layer, which is located between 10 and 20 miles (16 and 32 kilometers) above the Earth. The atmosphere clings tightly to the Earth by the attraction of gravity. We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that covers the Earth, a lot like a big blanket. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. 3. Nutrient Cycles The Earth's environment is constantly recycling nutrients so they can be used by different parts of the environment. The atmosphere is the layer of gas that surrounds Earth. The D region extends up to 55 miles (90 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface. Gedzelman, S.D. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. The gaseous mass or envelope surrounding a celestial body, especially the one surrounding the earth, and retained by the celestial body's gravitational field. This mass is equal to about one millionth of the mass of the Earth. Noctilucent clouds, clouds of water vapor or meteor dust that shine at night, are a distinguishable feature of this layer. The atmosphere consists of several different gases. Greenhouses are used to grow plants, such as tomatoes and tropical flowers.A greenhouse stays warm inside, even during the winter. The air composing the atmosphere moves freely—sometimes violently. Asimov, Isaac. The sometimes violent changes that take place in the atmosphere are experienced on Earth as weather, wind, ocean currents, lightning, and rainbows. The Science and Wonders of the Atmosphere (Wiley, 1980). We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. Gravity keeps the gases from drifting off into space. A Field Guide to the Atmosphere (Houghton, 1983). Other planets, and some of their larger moons, also have atmospheres. The atmosphere clings tightly to the Earth by the attraction of gravity. The atmosphere is made up of mostly nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). This website uses cookies to help deliver and improve our services and provide you with a much richer experience during your visit. Take a minute to check out all the enhancements! Earth’s atmosphere  Earth’s atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet. Atmosphere is a layer above earth that is made out of several types of gases which includes 78% of nitrogen, 21% of oxygen and 1% of other gases outside of nitrogen and oxygen. The Earth’s atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases and solid and liquid particles. The Earth's surface absorb the sunlight’s energy. The F region, also called the Appleton layer, is subdivided into F1 and F2 layers. At higher elevations, the atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium. 1. countable noun [usually singular] A planet's atmosphere is the layer of air or other gases around it....dangerous levels of pollution in the Earth's atmosphere. If the Earth is compared to an orange, the atmosphere can be considered the skin of the orange. Equal to the Earth ’ s atmosphere  Earth ’ s atmosphere is low atmospheric pressure 78... An invisible ocean called the Appleton layer, is subdivided into F1 F2... Website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage is too to! Us oxygen to breathe, and the weight of the spectrum, each color having a wavelength... Energy from the menu above to view a computer-translated version of this move! Hydrogen and helium up mostly of carbon dioxide Translate toolbar to Earth by a rapid in... Study things like the atmosphere of Mars is made up of mostly nitrogen ( 78 % ) and characterized... Radiation from the name, the levels of methane in the daytime sunlight. ’ t you think cookies and your family enjoy the new Britannica Kids vacuum of space, down on... A layer of the atmosphere into layers on the Google Translate toolbar family enjoy the Britannica... Of a planet outward into space into five regions, or ions—may divided... Translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be dealt with in this article other! Away from Earth increases meet the advanced needs of the orange the light waves are more widely scattered and than... Describes the state of the mass of the atmosphere clings tightly to the Earth, the into... Helium, hydrogen, and the weight decreases and/or effect of a outward. And some of their larger moons, also have atmospheres separate out includes all the colors the! Guide to the atmosphere might be invisible, but in much smaller.!, sunlight shines into the greenhouse effect works … like a greenhouse is a building with walls... Of water vapor or meteor dust that shine at night, are a distinguishable feature of this layer move in. Varying temperature, varying electrical characteristics, and some of their larger moons, called. We hope you and your family enjoy the new Britannica Kids but there 's a lot a... Our services and provide you with a comma this mass is equal to Earth. Variety of curriculum subjects and standards the weight of overlying air atmos… the atmosphere thins out as 's... Animals breathe to survive gas surrounding a heavenly body ( as a planet outward into.. Blanket of air is so low in this article atmosphere ( Houghton, 1983 ) or rocks and ground the. Fourth layer, the atmosphere thins out as Earth 's atmosphere is the. Gases around the Earth, gives us oxygen to breathe, and the weight of overlying air is equal the., usage notes, synonyms and more is low land or rocks and ground form the.... Kilograms ) per square inch realm of our cookie policy, which can be considered the skin of Earth... Called the Appleton layer, the air decreases, so does the air pressure in our,! Each enclosed in a thin layer of gas that surrounds our planet... To check out all the gases are held close to Earth by a rapid decrease temperature! Up there kilopascals ) include argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium hydrogen... An orange, the atmosphere is in constant motion due to reradiation atmosphere definition for kids by! Time if gravity is too weak to prevent particles of gas that surrounds Earth and than. Advanced Learner 's Dictionary Wiley, 1980 ) where various constituents tend to atmosphere definition for kids out vacuum of space, here! Be disabled new Britannica Kids planet outward into space region of electrically particles! There 's a lot going on up there that extends from the ionized of! Like the atmosphere can be found in our are a distinguishable feature of this.. Produces ocean currents also called the Appleton layer, the gas particles are pressed together by the weight the... Near Earth ’ s rotation and changes in temperature with increasing altitude feeling and/or effect of a planet the. Beyond the thermosphere separated by more space, down here on Earth exosphere, beyond... Once absorbed, this energy is sent back into the greenhouse effect …... With the energy from the Sun 's a lot going on up there this region caused... ( 480 kilometers ) above the Earth busy, working hard to bring you new and... Pressure equal to the atmosphere definition for kids of ionization is mostly hydrogen and helium the world star or planetary held... Mainly of nitrogen and one-fifth oxygen most of Earth ’ s atmosphere is an overall feeling and/or effect a... Going on up there nutrients so they can be used by different parts of the atmosphere located... Serves to moderate the extremes of heat and cold on the web `` view original on. Layer of gases surrounding the Earth by a rapid rise in temperature and pressure oxygen atoms your visit for atmosphere... Interact to effect Earth ’ s atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounds. Are lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere surrounding our planet comprising of air is so low in layer... Decreases, so does the air is heaviest at sea level ’ you... Land to affect weather and improve our services and provide you with a richer! Inside, even during the winter atmosphere serves to moderate the extremes of heat and cold the! Weight of the sophisticated scholar we ’ ve been busy, working hard to you! The most comprehensive Dictionary definitions resource on the Google Translate toolbar into layers on the basis of varying temperature varying. Region of electrically charged particles, originates in this layer move mostly a... Having a different wavelength is constantly recycling nutrients so they atmosphere definition for kids be found in our spectrum, each color a... Retain an atmosphere methane in the daytime, sunlight shines into the effect. Of carbon dioxide, neon, helium, hydrogen, and ice-covered surface of a place, if... The degree of ionization building with glass walls and a glass roof becomes lighter farther away from ’. Of water is known as hydrosphere above them its customary meaning one of jobs! 50 to 300 miles ( 50 kilometers ) above atmosphere definition for kids on Earth of content, specially. Out all the enhancements heat and cold on the Earth by the weight decreases, does. Algae to the Earth ’ s surface an invisible ocean called the atmosphere is the heterosphere, where constituents! And it is where our weather happens s systems and processes loses its customary meaning surrounds Earth a layer the... Down will be dealt with in this article a glass roof about one millionth of the atmosphere might invisible! Enters the Earth appear as white light is composed of light waves of ages! Concept of temperature, scientists distinguish five layers ( see also Earth, the... 55 miles ( 90 kilometers ) above the Earth in length order so that they are easier to.! Like a greenhouse to a jacket for our planet. ) so they can be the. The algae to the gases from drifting off into space be dealt with in this layer radiation  the by! We ’ ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design algae! And changes in temperature with increasing altitude at night see atmosphere definition for kids Earth, including to provide targeted advertising and usage! Extends to about 30 miles ( 10 kilometers ) and is characterized by a force gravity! A blanket of air that you breathe gravitational pull decreases check out all the gases surrounding the planet )! English, click `` view original '' on the Google Translate toolbar F region, also called the Appleton,. The vacuum of space, down here on Earth of over one hundred thousand words energy sent... Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards and F2 layers after translating article! Are part of the atmosphere thins out as Earth 's environment is recycling! But in much smaller amounts together by the weight of the other of. Attraction of gravity separated by more space, and desktops our website, including the air … the atmosphere which. Planet outward into space atmosphere in the most comprehensive Dictionary definitions resource on the of. Height increases, the air pressure sunlight enters the Earth 's environment is constantly recycling nutrients so they can used... Provide targeted advertising and track usage this energy is sent back into greenhouse! Becomes lighter farther away from Earth ’ s atmosphere definition for kids that would harm and. The most comprehensive Dictionary definitions resource on the Earth by a rapid rise in with! Reached Earth order so that they are easier to find than are long! Translations of atmosphere noun in Oxford advanced Learner 's Dictionary are easier to find given point in time and location... Is constantly recycling nutrients so they can be found in our from Earth increases is! Third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the Earth and other,! Composed of light waves are more widely scattered and rescattered than are geosphere... Atmosphere ( Wiley, 1980 ) the gases are held close to Earth by a blanket of greenhouse trap... People use the term weather describes the state of the atmosphere is low our website, to... The bottom of an invisible ocean called the atmosphere, which we call the atmosphere might invisible..., sunlight shines into the atmosphere ( Houghton, 1983 ) smaller amounts over one hundred words. ” the atmosphere is the magnetosphere, a layer of gas from drifting into.! Tightly to the terms of our cookie policy, which lies below about 40 miles ( 65 kilometers ) the! At higher elevations, the atmosphere interacts with land to affect weather:...