What collective term describes the layers surrounding the Earth, with the troposphere being the lowest layer?

The term that collectively describes the layers surrounding the Earth, including the troposphere as the lowest layer, is "atmosphere." The atmosphere encompasses all the gases surrounding the planet, which extend from the Earth's surface up to the exosphere. This layer plays a crucial role in supporting life, regulating temperature, and protecting Earth from harmful solar radiation.

The troposphere, which is the lowest part of the atmosphere, is where most of our weather occurs and where we, as humans and other living organisms, exist. It is essential to recognize that the atmosphere consists of multiple layers, including the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere, each with distinct characteristics and functions.

The other terms mentioned refer to different concepts. The "crust" refers to the outermost solid layer of the Earth, "hydrosphere" pertains to all the water bodies on Earth (including oceans, rivers, and lakes), and "lithosphere" refers to the rigid outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and upper mantle. While these layers and spheres are crucial components of Earth's system, they do not collectively encompass the atmospheric layers in the way that the atmosphere does.