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The Atmosphere






Introduction to the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a layer of gas and suspended solids extending from the Earth's surface up many thousands of miles, becoming increasingly thinner with distance but always held by the Earth's gravitational pull.















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The Atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere
The Ionosphere


Air Pressure

The Transfer of Heat Energy

Energy Balance

Hydrologic Cycle
What-a-cycle


Precipitation










The Atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere
The Ionosphere


Air Pressure

The Transfer of Heat Energy

Energy Balance

Hydrologic Cycle
What-a-cycle


Precipitation

















The atmosphere surrounds the Earth and holds the air we breathe; it protects us from outer space; and holds moisture (clouds), gases, and tiny particles. In short, the atmosphere is the protective bubble in which we live.

This protective bubble consists of several gases (listed in the table below), with the top four making up 99.998% of all gases. Of the dry composition of the atmosphere, nitrogen by far is the most common. Nitrogen dilutes oxygen and prevents rapid burning at the Earth's surface. Living things need it to make proteins.

Oxygen is used by all living things and is essential for respiration. It is also necessary for combustion (burning). Argon is used in light bulbs, in double-pane windows, and to preserve museum objects such as the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Plants use carbon dioxide to make oxygen. Carbon dioxide also acts as a blanket that prevents the escape of heat into outer space.

The exact amounts of each gas vary slightly from day to day. The NOAA Global Monitoring Lab updates trends in the 4 main Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere daily.

Chemical makeup of the atmosphere EXCLUDING water vapor
GasSymbolContent
NitrogenN278.084%
OxygenO220.946%
ArgonAr0.934%
Carbon dioxideCO20.042%
NeonNe18.182 parts per million
HeliumHe5.24 parts per million
MethaneCH41.92 parts per million
KryptonKr1.14 parts per million
HydrogenH20.55 parts per million
Nitrous oxideN2O0.33 parts per million
Carbon monoxideCO0.10 parts per million
XenonXe0.09 parts per million
OzoneO30.07 parts per million
Nitrogen dioxideNO20.02 parts per million
IodineI20.01 parts per million
AmmoniaNH3trace


These percentages of atmospheric gases are for a completely dry atmosphere. The atmosphere is rarely, if ever, dry. Water vapor (water in a gas state) is nearly always present, up to about 4% of the total volume. 

Chemical makeup of the atmosphere INCLUDING water vapor
Water VaporNitrogenOxygenArgon
0%78.084%20.947%0.934%
1%77.30%20.70%0.92%
2%76.52%20.53%0.91%
3%75.74%20.32%0.90%
4%74.96%20.11%0.89%


In the Earth's desert regions (30°N/S), when dry winds are blowing, the water vapor contribution to the composition of the atmosphere will be near zero. Water vapor contribution climbs to near 3% on extremely hot/humid days. The upper limit, approaching 4%, is found in tropical climates.
















The Atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere
The Ionosphere


Air Pressure

The Transfer of Heat Energy

Energy Balance

Hydrologic Cycle
What-a-cycle


Precipitation













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Last updated July 2, 2024

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