atmosfärens

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds a planet and is held in place by gravity. For Earth, it begins at the surface and gradually thins into space, with most of the mass concentrated in the lower layers. The outer boundary blends into interplanetary space, where matter becomes extremely tenuous.

Its composition is dominated by nitrogen (about 78 percent) and oxygen (about 21 percent), with argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium and other trace gases making up the remainder. Water vapor varies with location and season, influencing humidity, clouds and weather. The atmosphere also contains aerosols, dust and pollutants that affect visibility and climate.

Earth’s atmosphere is structured in several major layers by temperature and composition: the troposphere, where weather occurs and temperatures generally fall with height; the stratosphere, which contains the ozone layer that absorbs ultraviolet radiation and causes a temperature increase with altitude; the mesosphere and thermosphere, where temperatures can fluctuate widely; and the exosphere, where particles gradually escape into space.

Functions of the atmosphere include providing breathable air, moderating the climate through the greenhouse effect, protecting living organisms from harmful solar radiation, and enabling weather and the water cycle. It also supports aviation and influences every aspect of the planet’s energy balance and climate system.

Human activities affect the atmosphere through greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants and ozone-depleting substances. Monitoring relies on satellites, radiosondes, ground stations and aircraft. In Swedish usage, atmosfärens is the genitive form of atmosfären, used to denote something belonging to the atmosphere (for example atmosfärens gaser).