AWH 4-1

Chapter 4, The Earth’s Atmosphere 4-1 4 The Earth’s Atmosphere 4.1 Introduction The Earth’s atmosphere is a cloud of gas and suspended solids extending from the surface out many thousands of miles, becoming thinner with distance but always held by the Earth’s gravitational pull. The atmosphere is made up of layers surrounding the Earth that holds the air that people breathe, protects us from outer space, and holds moisture (e.g., vapor, clouds, and precipitation), gases, and tiny particles. In short, the atmosphere is the protective bubble that people live in. This chapter covers the atmosphere’s composition and vertical structure and the standard atmosphere.