Structure of the Atmosphere
Provided by: King's Centre for Visualization in Science|Published on: June 6, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors:
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This interactive animation explains the composition, density, and temperature of the different regions of the atmosphere.
- By moving an animated weather balloon, students can explore each region in more detail.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This animated website is interactive and self-paced, which allows students to discover information about the atmosphere by themselves.
- The animation provides text and visuals to support learning.
Additional Prerequisites
- The interactive media introduces students to vocabulary they may not yet be familiar with, including the regions of the atmosphere: the Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Thermosphere.
- The explanations provided can sometimes be complex and may require some extra instruction. For example, teachers may need to spend more time discussing why the temperature changes as you move up or down in the atmosphere.
Differentiation
- This resource can be used by students in science classes learning about the Earth's atmosphere as part of an investigation of Earth's systems.
- Teachers can connect this resource to climate change by discussing how increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases can impact the temperature, density, and other features of the atmosphere.
- To aid students when using this resource, consider creating a graphic organizer that students can use to take notes as they read and explore.
- Other related resources include this video about the hydrosphere and atmosphere, this video about the structure of Earth's atmosphere, and this lab activity investigating the greenhouse effect.
This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
