Questions and Answers
What are the four main layers of the atmosphere?
What is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where all weather occurs?
Troposphere
What is the depth of the troposphere?
0 to 12 km
What is the temperature range of the lower stratosphere?
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What is the third layer of the atmosphere called?
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What is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere?
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What is the ionosphere?
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What phenomenon is commonly associated with the ionosphere?
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What is the exosphere?
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Study Notes
Layers of the Atmosphere
- Earth's atmosphere consists of four main layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere, classified by temperature changes.
Troposphere
- The lowest atmospheric layer, extending from the surface up to 12 km.
- Houses all weather phenomena; contains nearly all atmospheric mass.
- Depth varies: 16 km above the equator to under 9 km over the poles.
- Temperature decreases with altitude.
Stratosphere
- The second layer, ranging from 12 km to 50 km in altitude.
- Contains the protective ozone layer.
- The lower stratosphere is around -60 degrees Celsius, while temperatures increase in the upper stratosphere.
Mesosphere
- Extends from 50 km to 80 km above the Earth.
- Most meteorites burn up upon entering this layer.
- Outer temperature can reach -90 degrees Celsius.
Thermosphere
- The outermost atmospheric layer, divided into ionosphere and exosphere.
- Temperature can soar to 1,800 degrees Celsius due to absorption of sunlight.
- Air is extremely thin, yet high in temperature, as nitrogen and oxygen molecules convert solar energy into heat.
Ionosphere
- Located within the thermosphere, from 80 km to 400 km altitude.
- Contains electrically charged particles called ions.
- Absorbs AM radio waves during the day and reflects them at night.
- The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, occurs here due to solar particles colliding with atmospheric atoms.
Aurora Borealis
- A stunning display of colors in the sky, resulting from solar particles interacting with oxygen and nitrogen in the ionosphere.
Exosphere
- Extends from around 400 kilometers outward and can continue for thousands of kilometers into space.
- The outermost layer of the thermosphere transitions into outer space.
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Explore the four main layers of Earth's atmosphere with these flashcards. Learn about the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere, and understand how they are classified by temperature changes. Ideal for mastering key concepts in atmospheric science.
