The Earth's Atmosphere

Section outline

• Select section Introduction

  Collapse Expand

  Introduction

  Collapse all Expand all

  The Earth is surrounded by layers of gases, our atmosphere. They are kept near the Earth’s surface by gravity.  Our atmosphere filters the sunlight and keeps dangerous rays from reaching our planet.

  Without such a filter it would get too hot during the daytime. At night it prevents heat from escaping so it does not get too cold. Without an atmosphere life on our planet would not be possible. It also makes our world a more pleasant place to live. 

  Air carries sound waves, which let us hear voices or listen to music. The atmosphere creates rainbows, makes the sky turn blue on clear days and the sun red when it sets .

  
  

  Rainbow in Alaska
  Image: Eric Rolph at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5,
  via Wikimedia Commons

  
  
  

  Words
  
  

  • create = make
  • escape = to get away from, get out of
  • filter = to let certain things in and keep other things out
  • gravity = the power that makes things fall down to Earth 
  • heat = warmth
  • pleasant = nice
  • prevent = keep from doing something: to stop from happening
  • ray = a line of light
  • set = to go down
  • surface = the top part of an object
  • surround = something is on every side
• Select section Information

  Collapse Expand

  Information

  • Select activity The Make-up of our Atmosphere

    

    The Make-up of our Atmosphere Page
  • Select activity Weight and Pressure

    

    Weight and Pressure Page
  • Select activity Layers of the Atmosphere

    

    Layers of the Atmosphere Page
  • Select activity Endangered Atmosphere

    

    Endangered Atmosphere Page
  • Select activity The Ozone Layer

    

    The Ozone Layer Page
  • Select activity The Earth's Atmosphere - Word List (PDF)

    

    The Earth's Atmosphere - Word List (PDF) File
• Select section Videos

  Collapse Expand

  Videos

  • Select activity The Earth's Atmosphere Explained

    

    The Earth's Atmosphere Explained Page
  • Select activity Layers of the Atmosphere

    

    Layers of the Atmosphere Page
  • Select activity The Thinning of the Ozone Layer

    

    The Thinning of the Ozone Layer Page
• Select section Tasks and Exercises

  Collapse Expand

  Tasks and Exercises

  • Select activity Multiple Choice Test

    

    Multiple Choice Test Page
  • Select activity TRUE or FALSE ?

    

    TRUE or FALSE ? Page
  • Select activity Words and Definitions 1

    

    Words and Definitions 1 Page
  • Select activity Words and Definitions 2

    

    Words and Definitions 2 Page
  • Select activity Vocabulary Test

    

    Vocabulary Test Page
  • Select activity Match the Sentence Parts

    

    Match the Sentence Parts Page
  • Select activity Facts About the Atmosphere

    

    Facts About the Atmosphere Page
  • Select activity Crossword

    

    Crossword Page
• Select section Writing Task

  Collapse Expand

  Writing Task

  • Select activity Our Endangered Atmosphere - Essay

    

    Our Endangered Atmosphere - Essay Page
• Select section End of Course Test

  Collapse Expand

  End of Course Test

  • Select activity The Earth's Atmosphere - Test (PDF)

    

    The Earth's Atmosphere - Test (PDF) File
  • Select activity The Earth's Atmosphere - Key (PDF)

    

    The Earth's Atmosphere - Key (PDF) File
• Select section Related Topics

  Collapse Expand

  Related Topics

  • Select activity Weather and Climate (B1)

    

    Weather and Climate (B1) URL