What Is Atmosphere?
The layer of gases wrapped around the Earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, held in place by gravity. All our weather happens in it. In technical terms: The gaseous envelope surrounding Earth, by volume about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, 0.93 percent argon, about 0.042 percent carbon dioxide and variable water vapor (0-4 percent); divided thermally into troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.
Atmosphere In Plain English
The layer of gases wrapped around the Earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, held in place by gravity. All our weather happens in it.
The Technical Definition
The gaseous envelope surrounding Earth, by volume about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, 0.93 percent argon, about 0.042 percent carbon dioxide and variable water vapor (0-4 percent); divided thermally into troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.
