1. The atmosphere is not solid.
2. We live in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
3. When the sun heats the ground, the air above it gets warmer and rises; as it cools, it sinks back down, creating a convection current that moves heat around Earth.
4. The atmosphere protects us from harmful solar radiation, regulates temperature, and provides oxygen for breathing.
5. It is mostly made of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%).
6. The 5 layers of the atmosphere are: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
7. The ozone layer is in the stratosphere.
8. The thermosphere is the hottest layer because it absorbs high-energy solar radiation, but it would feel cold to us because the air molecules are so far apart they don’t transfer heat well.
9. In Death Valley, California, the air pressure is higher than at sea level because you’re below sea level; the weight of the air above you is greater.
10. If you climb a mountain, your ears may pop because the atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, causing a pressure difference between the inside and outside of your eardrum.
11. Mountain climbers wear oxygen masks because the air pressure and oxygen concentration are lower at high altitudes, making it hard to breathe.
12. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
13. Atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of the air above pressing down on the surface.
14. The mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
15. The ionosphere is responsible for reflecting radio waves and is located within the thermosphere.
16. The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.
17. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth’s average temperature would be about -18°C (0°F), too cold for most life.
18. When an astronaut jumps on the Moon, there is no atmosphere to slow their fall or provide air resistance, so they fall faster and land harder.
19. The highest layer is the exosphere, where the atmosphere thins out into space and merges with the vacuum of space.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of bill nye atmosphere worksheet.
