Sure! Here’s a quick overview of the Earth's atmospheric layers for a science 7 level:
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Troposphere:
- Location: Closest to Earth's surface (up to about 8-15 km high).
- Characteristics: Weather occurs in this layer; it contains most of the atmosphere's mass and water vapor.
- Temperature: Decreases with altitude.
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Stratosphere:
- Location: Above the troposphere (up to about 50 km high).
- Characteristics: Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This layer is more stable, with few clouds.
- Temperature: Increases with altitude due to ozone absorption of UV radiation.
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Mesosphere:
- Location: Above the stratosphere (up to about 85 km high).
- Characteristics: This is where most meteors burn up upon entering the atmosphere.
- Temperature: Decreases with altitude, making it the coldest layer.
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Thermosphere:
- Location: Above the mesosphere (up to about 600 km high).
- Characteristics: Contains very thin air; temperatures can reach up to 2,500 °C or more. The Northern Lights (Auroras) occur in this layer.
- Temperature: Increases significantly with altitude due to absorption of high-energy solar radiation.
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Exosphere:
- Location: The outermost layer, starting around 600 km and extending into space.
- Characteristics: Very thin air, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium; satellites orbit in this layer.
- Temperature: Can also reach thousands of degrees, but it's not felt due to the low density of particles.
Feel free to ask more questions if you need further details or explanations!