Quantitative composition of air. Did you know that air is a mixture of gases? Gas composition of air

The air that makes up the earth's atmosphere is a mixture of gases. Dry atmospheric air contains: oxygen 20.95%, nitrogen 78.09%, carbon dioxide 0.03%. In addition, atmospheric air contains argon, helium, neon, krypton, hydrogen, xenon and other gases. Ozone, nitric oxide, iodine, methane, and water vapor are present in small amounts in the atmospheric air.

In addition to the constant components of the atmosphere, it contains a variety of pollution introduced into the atmosphere by human production activities.

1. An important component of atmospheric air is oxygen , the amount of which in the earth's atmosphere is 1.18 × 10 15 tons. A constant oxygen content is maintained due to continuous processes of its exchange in nature. On the one hand, oxygen is consumed during the respiration of humans and animals, is spent on maintaining the processes of combustion and oxidation, on the other hand, it enters the atmosphere due to the processes of plant photosynthesis. Land plants and phytoplankton of the oceans fully restore the natural loss of oxygen. With a drop in the partial pressure of oxygen, the phenomena of oxygen starvation can develop, which is observed when ascending to a height. The critical level is the partial pressure of oxygen below 110 mm Hg. Art. Reducing the partial pressure of oxygen to 50-60 mm Hg. Art. usually incompatible with life. Under the influence of short-wave UV radiation with a wavelength of less than 200 nm, oxygen molecules dissociate to form atomic oxygen. The newly formed oxygen atoms are added to the neutral formula of oxygen, forming ozone . Simultaneously with the formation of ozone, its decay occurs. The general biological significance of ozone is great: it absorbs short-wave UV radiation, which has a detrimental effect on biological objects. At the same time, ozone absorbs infrared radiation coming from the Earth, and thus prevents excessive cooling of its surface. Ozone concentrations are unevenly distributed along the height. Its greatest amount is noted at the level of 20-30 km from the Earth's surface.

2. Nitrogen in terms of quantitative content, it is the most significant component of atmospheric air; it belongs to inert gases. Life is impossible in a nitrogen atmosphere. Air nitrogen is assimilated by certain types of soil bacteria (nitrogen-fixing bacteria), as well as by blue-green algae; under the influence of electrical discharges, it turns into nitrogen oxides, which, falling out with atmospheric precipitation, enrich the soil with salts of nitrous and nitric acids. Under the influence of soil bacteria, nitrous acid salts are converted into nitric acid salts, which in turn are absorbed by plants and serve for protein synthesis. Along with the assimilation of nitrogen in nature, it is released into the atmosphere. Free nitrogen is formed during the combustion of wood, coal, oil; a small amount of it is formed during the decomposition of organic compounds. Thus, in nature there is a continuous cycle, as a result of which the nitrogen of the atmosphere is converted into organic compounds, restored and enters the atmosphere, then is again bound by biological objects.

Nitrogen is necessary as an oxygen diluent, since breathing pure oxygen leads to irreversible changes in the body.

However, an increased content of nitrogen in the inhaled air contributes to the onset of hypoxia due to a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen. With an increase in the nitrogen content in the air to 93%, death occurs.

In addition to nitrogen, the inert gases of air include argon, neon, helium, krypton and xenon. Chemically, these gases are inert, they dissolve in body fluids depending on the partial pressure, the absolute amount of these gases in the blood and tissues of the body is negligible.

3. An important component of atmospheric air is carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide, carbonic acid). In nature, carbon dioxide is in free and bound states in the amount of 146 billion tons, of which only 1.8% of its total amount is contained in atmospheric air. Most of it (up to 70%) is in a dissolved state in the water of the seas and oceans. Some mineral compounds, limestones and dolomites contain about 22% of the total amount of dioxide and carbon. The rest of the amount falls on the animal and plant world, coal, oil and humus.

Under natural conditions, there are continuous processes of release and absorption of carbon dioxide. It is released into the atmosphere due to the respiration of humans and animals, the processes of combustion, decay and fermentation, during the industrial roasting of limestones and dolomites, etc. At the same time, processes of assimilation of carbon dioxide are going on in nature, which is absorbed by plants in the process of photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide plays an important role in the life of animals and humans, being a physiological causative agent of the respiratory center.

When high concentrations of carbon dioxide are inhaled, the redox processes in the body are disturbed. With an increase in its content in the inhaled air up to 4%, headaches, tinnitus, palpitations, and an excited state are noted; at 8% death occurs.

From a hygienic point of view, the content of carbon dioxide is an important indicator by which the degree of air purity in residential and public buildings is judged. The accumulation of large amounts of it in indoor air indicates sanitary problems (crowding, poor ventilation).

Under normal conditions, with natural ventilation of the premises and infiltration of outdoor air through the pores of building materials, the content of carbon dioxide in the air of residential premises does not exceed 0.2%. With an increase in its concentration in the room, a deterioration in the well-being of a person, a decrease in working capacity, may be noted. This is explained by the fact that simultaneously with an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the air of residential and public buildings, other properties of the air worsen: its temperature and humidity increase, gaseous products of human vital activity appear, the so-called anthropotoxins (mercaptan, indole, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia).

With an increase in the content of CO 2 in the air and the deterioration of meteorological conditions in residential and public buildings, the ionization regime of the air changes (an increase in the number of heavy and a decrease in the number of light ions), which is explained by the absorption of light ions during breathing and contact with the skin, as well as the intake of heavy ions with exhaled air.

The maximum allowable concentration of carbon dioxide in the air of medical institutions should be considered 0.07%, in the air of residential and public buildings - 0.1%. The latter value is taken as a calculated one when determining the efficiency of ventilation in residential and public buildings.

4. In addition to the main components, atmospheric air contains gases released as a result of natural processes occurring on the Earth's surface and in the atmosphere.

Hydrogen contained in the air in an amount of 0.00005%. It is formed in the high layers of the atmosphere due to the photochemical decomposition of water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen does not support respiration, in a free state it is not absorbed and is not released by biological objects. In addition to hydrogen, atmospheric air contains a small amount of methane; usually the concentration of methane in the air does not exceed 0.00022%. Methane is released during anaerobic decay of organic compounds. As an integral part, it is part of natural gas and gas from oil wells. When inhaling air containing methane in high concentrations, death from asphyxia is possible.

As a decomposition product of organic substances, small amounts of ammonia. Its concentrations depend on the degree of contamination of the area with sewage and organic emissions. In winter, due to the slowdown in the processes of decay, the concentration of ammonia is somewhat lower than in summer. During anaerobic processes of decomposition of sulfur-containing organic substances, the formation of hydrogen sulfide, which, in low concentrations, gives the air an unpleasant odor. In atmospheric air, iodine and hydrogen peroxide can be found in small concentrations. Iodine enters the atmospheric air due to the presence of the smallest droplets of sea water and seaweed. Due to the interaction of UV rays with air molecules, hydrogen peroxide; together with ozone, it contributes to the oxidation of organic substances in the atmosphere.

In the atmospheric air are suspended matter, which are represented by dust of natural and artificial origin. The composition of natural dust includes cosmic, volcanic, ground, sea dust and dust generated during forest fires.

Natural processes play an important role in the release of the atmosphere from suspended solids. self-cleaning, among which the dilution of pollution by convection air currents near the Earth's surface is of significant importance. An essential element of self-purification of the atmosphere is the precipitation of large particles of dust and soot from the air (sedimentation). As the altitude increases, the amount of dust decreases; at a height of 7 - 8 km from the Earth's surface, there is no dust of terrestrial origin. Significant Precipitation plays a role in self-cleaning processes, increasing the amount of settled soot and dust. The dust content in the atmospheric air is affected by meteorological conditions and aerosol dispersion. Coarse dust with a particle diameter of more than 10 microns falls out quickly, fine dust with a particle diameter of less than 0.1 microns practically does not fall out and is in suspension.

It is probably not entirely correct to speak of air as a chemical compound. Rather, it is a mixture of gases in which water vapor is present. The main composition of air is nitrogen-oxygen in a volume ratio of 78-21%. The rest belongs to hydrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, etc. The composition of the air can vary depending on the geography of the place (city, forest, mountains, sea) within 2% for each gas.

Many people sometimes wonder what air is made of and what its formula is. Air is a mixture of gases that envelops our Earth in the atmosphere. So the main components are nitrogen and oxygen, the rest are gases that just add a little air

Air is a mixture of gases. The composition of the air is not a constant value and varies depending on the location, region and even the number of people around you. Basically, the air consists of about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, the rest is impurities of various compounds.



Vladimir! As such, there is no chemical formula for air.

air is a mixture of various gases - oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and other gases ..

It is difficult to name the exact proportion of these gases in the atmosphere ...

Air is essentially a mixture of nitrogen (about 80%) and oxygen (about 20%), other gases are about 1% or less. As such, the chemical formula of air does not exist, since it is a mixture of various compounds in various percentages.

Air is not a chemical compound. Air is a mixture of gases, and its composition is not constant and depends directly on the place where we will analyze the composition of the air, the presence of certain contaminants.

98-99% of air composition is nitrogen and oxygen. Air also contains

It is impossible to make a single integral formula for the Earth's atmosphere. But you can determine what gases are in the air:

• Nitrogen N2 - 78.084%.
• Oxygen (which we breathe) O2 - 20.9476%.
• Argon Ar - 0.934%.
• Carbon dioxide CO2 - 0.0314%.
• Neon Ne - 0.001818%.
• Methane CH4 - 0.0002%.
• Helium He - 0.000524%.
• Krypton Kr - 0.000114%.
• Hydrogen H2 - 0.00005%.
• Xenon Xe - 0.0000087%.
• Ozone O3 - 0.000007%.
• Nitrogen dioxide NO2 - 0.000002%.
• Iodine I2 - 0.000001%.
• The amount of carbon monoxide CO and ammonium NH3 is negligible.

• Air cannot be called a chemical compound, because it consists of a mixture of various gases, which constantly changes its composition. Moreover, this change is both qualitative and quantitative. So, if up to a height of 13 kilometers, the composition of the atmosphere changes little, then the ozone layer appears above, that is, a large amount of triatomic oxygen appears in the atmosphere. On the contrary, at the surface, the composition of the atmosphere is greatly influenced by pollution, both man-made (emissions from enterprises, cars) and natural (volcanic activity). A chemical compound, on the other hand, is usually constant, the atoms of the elements in it are connected by various bonds and are in strict proportions.

  Here is the composition of the atmosphere near the surface:

  

  But what changes occur in the atmosphere with height:

  

  You will not be able to find any chemical formula for air anywhere. The thing is that the air in its composition has a huge amount of various gas impurities, so you can only provide a list of these impurities with an approximate percentage, and here is this list.

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The atmosphere is the air environment that surrounds the globe and one of the most important reasons for the emergence of life on earth. It was atmospheric air, its unique composition that gave living beings the opportunity to oxidize organic matter with oxygen and obtain energy for existence. Without it, the existence of man, as well as all representatives of the animal kingdom, most plants, fungi and bacteria, will be impossible.

Significance for a person

The air environment is not only a source of oxygen. It allows a person to see, perceive spatial signals, use the senses. Hearing, vision, smell - they all depend on the state of the air environment.

The second important point is protection from solar radiation. The atmosphere envelops the planet with a shell that traps part of the spectrum of sunlight. As a result, about 30% of solar radiation reaches the earth.

The air environment is the shell in which precipitation forms and evaporation rises. It is she who is responsible for half of the moisture exchange cycle. Precipitation formed in the atmosphere affects the work of the World Ocean, contributes to the accumulation of moisture on the continents, and determines the destruction of open rocks. She takes part in the formation of the climate. The circulation of air masses is the most important factor in the formation of specific climatic zones and natural zones. The winds that occur over the Earth determine the temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, and weather stability in the region.

Currently, chemicals are extracted from the air: oxygen, helium, argon, nitrogen. The technology is still at the testing stage, but in the future it can be considered a promising direction in the chemical industry.

The above is the obvious. But the air environment is also important for industry and human activities:

• It is the most important chemical agent for the reactions of combustion and oxidation.
• Transfers heat.

Thus, atmospheric air is a unique air environment that allows living things to exist, and man to develop industry. Close interaction has been established between the human body and the air environment. If you violate it, serious consequences will not keep you waiting.

Hygienic characteristic of air

Pollution is the process of impurities entering the atmospheric air, which should not normally be present. Pollution can be natural or artificial. Impurities that come from natural sources are neutralized in the planetary circulation of matter. With artificial pollution, the situation is more complicated.

Natural contaminants include:

• Cosmic dust.
• Impurities formed during volcanic eruptions, weathering, fires.

Artificial pollution is anthropogenic in nature. Distinguish between global and local pollution. Global is all emissions that can affect the composition or structure of the atmosphere. Local is a change in indicators in a specific area or in a room used for living, working or public events.

Atmospheric air hygiene is an important branch of hygiene that deals with the assessment and control of indoor air. This section appeared in connection with the need for sanitary protection. It is difficult to overestimate the hygienic value of atmospheric air - along with breathing, all the impurities and particles contained in the air enter the human body.

The hygienic assessment includes the following indicators:

1. Physical properties of atmospheric air. This includes temperature (the most common violation of SanPiN at workplaces is that the air heats up too much), pressure, wind speed (in open areas), radioactivity, humidity and other indicators.
2. The presence of impurities and deviation from the standard chemical composition. Atmospheric air is characterized by its suitability for breathing.
3. The presence of solid impurities - dust, other microparticles.
4. The presence of bacterial contamination - pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.

To compile a hygienic characteristic, the indications obtained for four points are compared with the established standards.

environmental protection

Recently, the state of atmospheric air has been a concern for environmentalists. Along with the development of industry, environmental risks also grow. Factories and industrial zones not only destroy the ozone layer, heating the atmosphere and saturating it with carbon impurities, but also reduce hygiene. Therefore, in developed countries it is customary to carry out comprehensive measures to protect the air environment.

The main areas of protection:

• Legislative regulation.
• Development of recommendations for the location of industrial zones, taking into account climatic and geographical factors.
• Carrying out measures to reduce emissions.
• Sanitary and hygienic control at enterprises.
• Regular composition monitoring.

Protection measures also include the planting of green spaces, the creation of artificial reservoirs, the creation of barrier zones between industrial and residential areas. Recommendations for the implementation of protective measures have been developed in organizations such as WHO and UNESCO. State and regional recommendations are developed on the basis of international ones.

Currently, the problem of air hygiene is receiving more and more attention. Unfortunately, at the moment the measures taken are not enough to completely minimize anthropogenic harm. But one can hope that in the future, together with the development of more environmentally friendly industries, it will be possible to reduce the burden on the atmosphere.

Air is natural mixture various gases. Most of all, it contains elements such as nitrogen (about 77%) and oxygen, less than 2% are argon, carbon dioxide and other inert gases.

Oxygen, or O2, is the second element of the periodic table and the most important component, without which life would hardly exist on the planet. He participates in various processes on which all living things depend.

In contact with

Composition of air

O2 performs the function oxidative processes in the human body, which allow you to release energy for normal life. At rest, the human body requires about 350 milliliters of oxygen, with heavy physical exertion, this value increases by three to four times.

What percentage of oxygen is in the air we breathe? The norm is 20,95% . Exhaled air contains less O2 - 15.5-16%. The composition of exhaled air also includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other substances. A subsequent decrease in the percentage of oxygen leads to a malfunction, and a critical value of 7-8% causes fatal outcome.

From the table you can understand, for example, that the exhaled air contains a lot of nitrogen and additional elements, but O2 only 16.3%. The oxygen content of the inhaled air is approximately 20.95%.

It is important to understand what an element such as oxygen is. O2 - the most common on earth chemical element which is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It performs the most important function of oxidation in.

Without the eighth element of the periodic table can't get fire. Dry oxygen improves the electrical and protective properties of films and reduces their space charge.

This element is contained in the following compounds:

1. Silicates - they contain approximately 48% O2.
2. (marine and fresh) - 89%.
3. Air - 21%.
4. Other compounds in the earth's crust.

Air contains not only gaseous substances, but also vapors and aerosols and various contaminants. It can be dust, dirt, other various small debris. It contains microbes that can cause various diseases. Influenza, measles, whooping cough, allergens and other diseases are just a small list of negative consequences that appear when air quality deteriorates and the level of pathogenic bacteria increases.

The percentage of air is the amount of all the elements that make up it. It is more convenient to show clearly what the air consists of, as well as the percentage of oxygen in the air, on the diagram.

The diagram shows which gas contains more in the air. The values ​​given on it will be slightly different for inhaled and exhaled air.

Diagram - air ratio.

There are several sources from which oxygen is formed:

1. Plants. Even from the school biology course, it is known that plants release oxygen when they absorb carbon dioxide.
2. Photochemical decomposition of water vapor. The process is observed under the action of solar radiation in the upper atmosphere.
3. Mixing of air streams in the lower atmospheric layers.

The functions of oxygen in the atmosphere and for the body

For a person, the so-called partial pressure, which the gas could produce if it occupied the entire occupied volume of the mixture. The normal partial pressure at 0 meters above sea level is 160 millimeters of mercury. An increase in altitude causes a decrease in partial pressure. This indicator is important, since the supply of oxygen to all important organs and in depends on it.

Oxygen is often used for the treatment of various diseases. Oxygen cylinders, inhalers help human organs to function normally in the presence of oxygen starvation.

Important! The composition of the air is influenced by many factors, respectively, the percentage of oxygen can change. The negative environmental situation leads to a deterioration in air quality. In megacities and large urban settlements, the proportion of carbon dioxide (CO2) will be greater than in small settlements or in forest and protected areas. Altitude also has a great influence - the percentage of oxygen will be less in the mountains. We can consider the following example - on Mount Everest, which reaches a height of 8.8 km, the concentration of oxygen in the air will be 3 times lower than in the lowland. For a safe stay on high mountain peaks, you need to use oxygen masks.

The composition of the air has changed over the years. Evolutionary processes, natural disasters have led to changes in, therefore decreased percentage of oxygen necessary for the normal functioning of bioorganisms. Several historical stages can be considered:

1. prehistoric era. At that time, the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere was about 36%.
2. 150 years ago O2 occupied 26% from the total air composition.
3. At present, the concentration of oxygen in the air is just under 21%.

The subsequent development of the surrounding world can lead to a further change in the composition of the air. It is unlikely for the foreseeable future that the O2 concentration could be below 14%, as this would cause disruption of the body.

What does lack of oxygen lead to?

Low intake is most often observed in stuffy vehicles, poorly ventilated rooms or at height . Decreased oxygen levels in the air can cause negative effect on the body. There is an exhaustion of mechanisms, the nervous system is most affected. There are several reasons why the body suffers from hypoxia:

1. Blood deficiency. called with carbon monoxide poisoning. This situation lowers the oxygen component of the blood. This is dangerous because the blood stops delivering oxygen to hemoglobin.
2. circulatory deficiency. It is possible with diabetes, heart failure. In such a situation, blood transport worsens or becomes impossible.
3. Histotoxic factors affecting the body can cause the loss of the ability to absorb oxygen. Arises in case of poisoning or due to heavy exposure.

According to a number of symptoms, it can be understood that the body needs O2. First of all increased breathing rate. It also increases the heart rate. These protective functions are designed to supply oxygen to the lungs and provide them with blood and tissues.

The lack of oxygen causes headaches, increased drowsiness, deterioration in concentration. Isolated cases are not so terrible, they are quite easy to correct. To normalize respiratory failure, the doctor prescribes bronchodilator drugs and other drugs. If hypoxia takes severe forms, such as loss of a person's coordination or even a comatose state the treatment becomes more difficult.

If symptoms of hypoxia are found, it is important consult a doctor immediately and do not self-medicate, since the use of a particular drug depends on the causes of the violation. Helps for mild cases oxygen mask treatment and pillows, blood hypoxia requires a blood transfusion, and the correction of circular causes is possible only with surgery on the heart or blood vessels.

The incredible journey of oxygen through our body

Conclusion

Oxygen is the most important air component, without which it is impossible to carry out many processes on Earth. The air composition has changed over tens of thousands of years due to evolutionary processes, but now the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere has reached the value at 21%. The quality of the air a person breathes affects his health therefore, it is necessary to monitor its cleanliness in the room and try to reduce environmental pollution.

The atmosphere is the gaseous shell of our planet that rotates with the Earth. The gas in the atmosphere is called air. The atmosphere is in contact with the hydrosphere and partially covers the lithosphere. But it is difficult to determine the upper bounds. Conventionally, it is assumed that the atmosphere extends upwards for about three thousand kilometers. There it flows smoothly into the airless space.

The chemical composition of the Earth's atmosphere

The formation of the chemical composition of the atmosphere began about four billion years ago. Initially, the atmosphere consisted only of light gases - helium and hydrogen. According to scientists, the initial prerequisites for the creation of a gas shell around the Earth were volcanic eruptions, which, together with lava, emitted a huge amount of gases. Subsequently, gas exchange began with water spaces, with living organisms, with the products of their activity. The composition of the air gradually changed and in its present form was fixed several million years ago.

The main components of the atmosphere are nitrogen (about 79%) and oxygen (20%). The remaining percentage (1%) is accounted for by the following gases: argon, neon, helium, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, krypton, xenon, ozone, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen, nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide included in this one percent.

In addition, the air contains water vapor and particulate matter (plant pollen, dust, salt crystals, aerosol impurities).

Recently, scientists have noted not a qualitative, but a quantitative change in some air ingredients. And the reason for this is the person and his activity. Only in the last 100 years, the content of carbon dioxide has increased significantly! This is fraught with many problems, the most global of which is climate change.

Formation of weather and climate

The atmosphere plays a vital role in shaping the climate and weather on Earth. A lot depends on the amount of sunlight, on the nature of the underlying surface and atmospheric circulation.

Let's look at the factors in order.

1. The atmosphere transmits the heat of the sun's rays and absorbs harmful radiation. The ancient Greeks knew that the rays of the Sun fall on different parts of the Earth at different angles. The very word "climate" in translation from ancient Greek means "slope". So, at the equator, the sun's rays fall almost vertically, because it is very hot here. The closer to the poles, the greater the angle of inclination. And the temperature is dropping.

2. Due to the uneven heating of the Earth, air currents are formed in the atmosphere. They are classified according to their size. The smallest (tens and hundreds of meters) are local winds. This is followed by monsoons and trade winds, cyclones and anticyclones, planetary frontal zones.

All these air masses are constantly moving. Some of them are quite static. For example, the trade winds that blow from the subtropics towards the equator. The movement of others is largely dependent on atmospheric pressure.

3. Atmospheric pressure is another factor influencing climate formation. This is the air pressure on the earth's surface. As you know, air masses move from an area with high atmospheric pressure towards an area where this pressure is lower.

There are 7 zones in total. The equator is a low pressure zone. Further, on both sides of the equator up to the thirtieth latitudes - an area of ​​high pressure. From 30° to 60° - again low pressure. And from 60° to the poles - a zone of high pressure. Air masses circulate between these zones. Those that go from the sea to land bring rain and bad weather, and those that blow from the continents bring clear and dry weather. In places where air currents collide, atmospheric front zones are formed, which are characterized by precipitation and inclement, windy weather.

Scientists have proven that even a person's well-being depends on atmospheric pressure. According to international standards, normal atmospheric pressure is 760 mm Hg. column at 0°C. This figure is calculated for those areas of land that are almost flush with sea level. The pressure decreases with altitude. Therefore, for example, for St. Petersburg 760 mm Hg. - is the norm. But for Moscow, which is located higher, the normal pressure is 748 mm Hg.

The pressure changes not only vertically, but also horizontally. This is especially felt during the passage of cyclones.

The structure of the atmosphere

The atmosphere is like a layer cake. And each layer has its own characteristics.

. Troposphere is the layer closest to the Earth. The "thickness" of this layer changes as you move away from the equator. Above the equator, the layer extends upwards for 16-18 km, in temperate zones - for 10-12 km, at the poles - for 8-10 km.

It is here that 80% of the total mass of air and 90% of water vapor are contained. Clouds form here, cyclones and anticyclones arise. The air temperature depends on the altitude of the area. On average, it drops by 0.65°C for every 100 meters.

. tropopause- transitional layer of the atmosphere. Its height is from several hundred meters to 1-2 km. The air temperature in summer is higher than in winter. So, for example, over the poles in winter -65 ° C. And over the equator at any time of the year it is -70 ° C.

. Stratosphere- this is a layer, the upper boundary of which runs at an altitude of 50-55 kilometers. Turbulence is low here, water vapor content in the air is negligible. But a lot of ozone. Its maximum concentration is at an altitude of 20-25 km. In the stratosphere, the air temperature begins to rise and reaches +0.8 ° C. This is due to the fact that the ozone layer interacts with ultraviolet radiation.

. Stratopause- a low intermediate layer between the stratosphere and the mesosphere following it.

. Mesosphere- the upper boundary of this layer is 80-85 kilometers. Here complex photochemical processes involving free radicals take place. It is they who provide that gentle blue glow of our planet, which is seen from space.

Most comets and meteorites burn up in the mesosphere.

. mesopause- the next intermediate layer, the air temperature in which is at least -90 °.

. Thermosphere- the lower boundary begins at an altitude of 80 - 90 km, and the upper boundary of the layer passes approximately at the mark of 800 km. The air temperature is rising. It can vary from +500° C to +1000° C. During the day, temperature fluctuations amount to hundreds of degrees! But the air here is so rarefied that the understanding of the term "temperature" as we imagine it is not appropriate here.

. Ionosphere- unites mesosphere, mesopause and thermosphere. The air here consists mainly of oxygen and nitrogen molecules, as well as quasi-neutral plasma. The sun's rays, falling into the ionosphere, strongly ionize air molecules. In the lower layer (up to 90 km), the degree of ionization is low. The higher, the more ionization. So, at an altitude of 100-110 km, electrons are concentrated. This contributes to the reflection of short and medium radio waves.

The most important layer of the ionosphere is the upper one, which is located at an altitude of 150-400 km. Its peculiarity is that it reflects radio waves, and this contributes to the transmission of radio signals over long distances.

It is in the ionosphere that such a phenomenon as aurora occurs.

. Exosphere- consists of oxygen, helium and hydrogen atoms. The gas in this layer is very rarefied, and often hydrogen atoms escape into outer space. Therefore, this layer is called the "scattering zone".

The first scientist who suggested that our atmosphere has weight was the Italian E. Torricelli. Ostap Bender, for example, in the novel "The Golden Calf" lamented that each person was pressed by an air column weighing 14 kg! But the great strategist was a little mistaken. An adult person experiences pressure of 13-15 tons! But we do not feel this heaviness, because atmospheric pressure is balanced by the internal pressure of a person. The weight of our atmosphere is 5,300,000,000,000,000 tons. The figure is colossal, although it is only a millionth of the weight of our planet.