Most information is available in Chapter 1. Here is some additional information on the standard atmosphere , and some brief notes. You should know what Latitude and Longitudes are. Our atmosphere has evolved over 100's of millions of years.
Gravity keeps the gases from going out to space.
Gravity weakens as you get farther away from surface, so the number of molecules decreases with altitude. Density decreases with altitude. Even though we can't feel the constant bombardment of air, the push of tiny molecules, we can detect rapid changes. Ears popping - air collisions outside the ear drum lessen. Ear popping, occurs as the molecules on the inside and outside equalize.