Exploring Atmospheric Principles: An Inquiry into Our Surrounding Air
The Earth's atmosphere, an invisible yet vital component of our planet, is a complex system layered by temperature and composition. This intricate system plays a crucial role in supporting life and protecting the planet in various essential ways.
The atmosphere is divided into five main layers, each with distinct characteristics: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
The **Troposphere**, the lowest layer, extends from the surface up to 8 to 15 kilometres in altitude. It is where almost all weather occurs, including clouds, rain, and wind. The troposphere contains about 75% of atmospheric mass and most water vapour. As we ascend, the temperature decreases with altitude, and the thickness varies, being approximately 7-10 kilometres near the poles and up to 17-18 kilometres near the equator.
The **Stratosphere** begins at an altitude of 15 to 50 kilometres and is known for its stable conditions, less turbulent than the troposphere. The stratosphere is particularly notable for containing the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation, acting as the Earth's main UV sunscreen. The temperature in the stratosphere increases with altitude due to ozone absorbing solar energy.
The **Mesosphere**, located between 50 to 85 kilometres above the Earth's surface, is the coldest atmospheric layer, with temperatures as low as -90°C. Meteoroids burn up in this layer, causing "shooting stars." The temperature decreases with altitude in the mesosphere.
The **Thermosphere** starts at 85 kilometres and extends up to 600 kilometres. In this layer, temperature rises sharply due to absorption of high-energy solar radiation. The thermosphere contains the ionosphere, which is important for radio communication. The thermosphere also hosts auroras and some satellites.
The **Exosphere**, the outermost layer, extends from 600 kilometres and above. It gradually merges with outer space and contains very sparse particles that can escape into space. Satellites orbit in this layer.
Each layer performs vital functions, from regulating Earth's temperature and weather (troposphere), protecting life from UV radiation (stratosphere), to shielding Earth from meteoroids (mesosphere), enabling communication and showing auroras (thermosphere), and blending into space (exosphere).
In Māori, much knowledge is associated with the changes in the weather and the phenomena that occur in the sky. The air is part of the domain of the deity Tāwhirimātea, who is known as the god of the weather. To learn about the tohu (signs) of a specific region or rohe (district), it is appropriate to enquire locally. The Kuputaka Māori mō te hau takiwā is a list of glossary terms associated with the air in te ao Māori.
It's essential to note that students can sometimes think that, if the amount of air is unchanged, the air volume will not change. However, air can be compressed to fit into a smaller space, as demonstrated by a bicycle tyre. The increased air pressure makes the tyre feel firm. Compressed air can also be used to do work, driving various tools such as pneumatic drills, dentist drills, truck brakes, and opening some doors on buses.
In conclusion, the Earth's atmosphere is a complex system layered by temperature and composition, supporting life and protecting the planet in various essential ways. Understanding this complex system can provide valuable insights into the intricate workings of our planet and the signs that surround us.
Advancing our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere can facilitate the application of data and cloud computing in the field of environmental science, particularly in relation to climate-change. For instance, analyzing data collected from the various atmospheric layers could lead to breakthroughs in technology, such as developing more effective strategies to mitigate the effects of global warming. The troposphere, in particular, being the primary location for weather phenomena, is crucial for such analysis.
