Earth, the planet we live in is the most special among the other planets, because it is the only planet that can be inhabited by living things. Moreover, it turns out that God created the earth not just guys, the earth is protected by 5 layers of the atmosphere that have their own characteristics and duties. Let’s see an explanation of the 5 layers of the earth’s atmosphere.
1. Troposphere (troposphere)
The troposphere is the innermost layer of the atmosphere which is closest to the earth. This layer is up to 12 km from the earth. In this troposphere, the air is fairly stable, not so hot and not so cold. The troposphere layer also accumulates various gases needed by living things such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.
So where do natural events occur? Yes, the answer is in the troposphere. Such as clouds, lightning, typhoons, strong winds, etc.
Quoting to Traveler.com.au private planes and commercial jets can fly at an altitude of 42,000 feet, 42,000 feet is equal to 12 km from the earth. Well, that means the plane is only able to fly in the troposphere. More than that, the balance will be lost because the oxygen supplied to the aircraft engine will be less and the engine can be damaged.
2. Stratosphere (stratosphere)
The second layer is the stratosphere. This layer is at an altitude of 12 km – 60 km. In the stratosphere, there is a sulfate material, which affects the occurrence of rain. In addition, the stratosphere is quite special, because there is an ozone layer. The Ozone layer blocks the harmful radiation from The Sun.
3. Mesosphere (mesosphere)
The third or most central layer is the mesosphere. This layer is at an altitude of 60 km-80 km. You need to know, that in the mesosphere the air temperature is increasingly unstable, every 100 meters the air temperature will drop by 0.4 °C, the peak can reach -120 °C. Well, if a meteor falls at a hot temperature, it will break into pieces when it enters this layer. Wow, wow, lucky people on earth, really protected.
4. Thermosphere / ionosphere (thermosphere)
The fourth layer is the thermosphere layer and is also known as the ionosphere, this layer is located at 80 km – 375 km. Why is it called the ionosphere? Yes, because in this layer there is ionization caused by solar radiation. Well, thanks to this ionization the radio communications that we use every day are reflected back to the earth. Cool!
5. Exosphere (exosphere)
The layer that is farthest from the earth’s surface is the exosphere, this layer is at an altitude of 500 km-1000 km. The air temperature in this layer can reach 2,200 °C, in the exosphere the main gas content is hydrogen and in this layer, the air is very thin.
Being the outermost protector of the earth, the exosphere is the most terrible layer, because in this layer the destruction of meteors and other space objects occurs.
Those were the 5 layers of the earth’s atmosphere that protect the earth and everything in it. More than that, our responsibility is very big as intelligent living beings, protecting nature from damage such as the greenhouse effect, excessive use of chemicals, forest fires, etc. which of course affects the layers of the earth’s atmosphere.