What is the gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth called?

The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth is referred to as the atmosphere. This layer of gases is crucial for supporting life as it contains the oxygen we breathe and protects living organisms from excessive solar radiation. The atmosphere also plays a key role in weather patterns and climate regulation.

While the troposphere, stratosphere, and tropopause are parts of the atmosphere, they refer to specific layers or boundaries within that larger system. The troposphere is the lowest layer where most weather events occur, the stratosphere sits above the troposphere and contains the ozone layer, and the tropopause is the transition zone between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Therefore, 'atmosphere' is the most inclusive and accurate term for the gaseous layer surrounding the Earth.