Atmospheric Sciences

By volume, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases.

Troposphere contains nearly all of the atmosphere's clouds. This is for 2 reasons: first, almost all water vapor is contained in this layer. Second, the air is inherently unstable, since it is warmest at the bottom. The causes the air to always want to rise, creating clouds under the right conditions.

The Stratosphere is at 17km to 35km above Earth

Venus' atmosphere consists mostly of carbon dioxide, with clouds containing of sulfuric acid. There are also compounds of chlorine and fluoride.

ionosphere

Yes, an atmosphere can exist without a magnetosphere. For example, Venus has a dense atmosphere but lacks a significant magnetic field to protect it from solar wind and cosmic radiation. This absence of a magnetosphere can lead to atmospheric loss over time, as seen on Mars, which has a thin atmosphere and a weak magnetic field. Thus, while an atmosphere can form without a magnetosphere, its long-term stability may be compromised.

The atmosphere contains a variety of tiny particles, including aerosols, dust, pollen, smoke, and soot. These particles can originate from natural sources such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires, as well as human activities like industrial processes and vehicle emissions. Additionally, water droplets and ice crystals form clouds and contribute to atmospheric phenomena. Collectively, these particles play significant roles in climate, weather patterns, and air quality.

The atmosphere is neither liquid nor solid; it is a mixture of gases that surround the Earth. Composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases, the atmosphere exists in a gaseous state. While it can contain water vapor in varying amounts, which can condense into liquid or solid forms (like clouds or ice), the atmosphere itself remains predominantly gaseous.

air resistance

The "ionosphere".

Wind blows from high pressure zones to low pressure zones. It does not have a source, it is produced by differences in pressure between different areas.

The top three gases are N2 = ~78%, O2 = ~21%, Ar = ~1% . The remaining gases are all in the ppm range. The ones which are consistent are Neon, Helium and Krypton with a concentration of about 0.0001%. Water and carbon dioxide are also present but vary with location. Carbon dioxide is generally given as about 380 ppm while water vapour can range between 0% and 4% depending on local conditions.

The sun can only shine on part of the earth's surface at any one time. This is why we have day and night in a rolling approach as the earth rotates.

Simple, the Ozone Layer.

The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in industry, transport and the generation of electricity releases carbon dioxide.

Probable sources of salt dust and smoke particles in the atmosphere include natural events like ocean spray, where sea salt is aerosolized by waves, and desert dust storms that lift fine particles from arid regions. Additionally, human activities such as agricultural practices and industrial processes can release smoke and particulate matter into the air. Wildfires also contribute significantly to smoke particles, while volcanic eruptions can emit both ash and gas, further adding to atmospheric particulates.

The layer of the atmosphere that acts like a giant magnet is the ionosphere. This region, located between about 30 miles (48 km) and 600 miles (965 km) above the Earth, contains a high concentration of charged particles and plays a crucial role in reflecting and absorbing radio waves. It attracts charged particles from the solar wind, helping to protect the Earth from harmful solar radiation. Additionally, the ionosphere is essential for enabling long-distance radio communication.

Because there is less air above, pushing down.

The total mass of CO2 is about 3 trillion tonnes (3 teratonnes). (That's a 3 with 12 zeros, 3,000,000,000,000 tonnes.)

C12 + 2O16 means 12 parts in 32, by weight, are carbon. 3/8ths. So, 1-1/8 teratonnes.

That is about 2.5 quadrillion pounds, or 1.125 quadrillion kg.

bacteria

Scintillation. Our atmosphere is in continous motion. Warm air changes the angle of EM waves passing through a little bit differently than cold air. The constant motion causes constant shifts in the waves. This is why the stars seem to twinkle. In space, there is no such distortion. Space borne telecopes see far clearer images because of this.

Huh? You certainly can smell and taste air - that's how scent travels, in the air. Surely you've smelled the fresh scent after a rain or the salt of the ocean. You can taste those as well if you pay attention.

The Earth's atmosphere.

That is ozone.