The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is made up of different layers, including:
* Troposphere: The lowest layer, where weather occurs.
* Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
* Mesosphere: Protects us from meteors.
* Thermosphere: The hottest layer, where the International Space Station orbits.
* Exosphere: The outermost layer, where the atmosphere gradually fades into space.
As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, it interacts with the gases and particles in the air. This interaction causes some of the light to be absorbed, scattered, or reflected.
Here are some key processes that occur:
* Scattering: This is when sunlight is deflected in different directions by particles in the air, like dust and water droplets. This is why the sky appears blue.
* Absorption: Certain gases in the atmosphere, like ozone, absorb specific wavelengths of light. This is why the ozone layer protects us from harmful UV radiation.
* Reflection: Some sunlight is reflected back into space by clouds, ice, and other surfaces.
These processes determine how much sunlight actually reaches the Earth's surface.
