ATMOSPHERE

Question 1

What are the layers of the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into five main layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.

Question 2

Mnemonic for remembering the layers

Answer 2

The Smart Monkey Thinks Excellent (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere).

Question 3

What is the lowest layer?

Answer 3

Troposphere.

Question 4

Characteristics of Troposphere

Answer 4

Closest to Earth’s surface, contains most of the atmosphere’s mass, where weather occurs, temperature decreases with altitude.

Question 5

Height range of Troposphere

Answer 5

Extends from the surface to about 8-15 km (5-9 miles).

Question 6

Why is the Troposphere important?

Answer 6

It contains the air we breathe and most of the weather phenomena.

Question 7

What is the second layer?

Answer 7

Stratosphere.

Question 8

Characteristics of Stratosphere

Answer 8

Contains the ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude due to absorption of UV radiation.

Question 9

Height range of Stratosphere

Answer 9

Extends from about 15 to 50 km (9-31 miles).

Question 10

Why is the Stratosphere important?

Answer 10

The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

Question 11

What is the third layer?

Answer 11

Mesosphere.

Question 12

Characteristics of Mesosphere

Answer 12

Coldest layer, temperature decreases with altitude, meteors burn up in this layer.

Question 13

Height range of Mesosphere

Answer 13

Extends from about 50 to 85 km (31-53 miles).

Question 14

Why is the Mesosphere important?

Answer 14

Protects Earth by burning up most meteoroids before they reach the surface.

Question 15

What is the fourth layer?

Answer 15

Thermosphere.

Question 16

Characteristics of Thermosphere

Answer 16

Hottest layer, temperature increases with altitude, contains the ionosphere which enables radio communication.

Question 17

Height range of Thermosphere

Answer 17

Extends from about 85 to 600 km (53-373 miles).

Question 18

Why is the Thermosphere important?

Answer 18

It absorbs high-energy solar radiation and is home to the auroras (Northern and Southern Lights).

Question 19

What is the outermost layer?

Answer 19

Exosphere.

Question 20

Characteristics of Exosphere

Answer 20

Outer boundary of the atmosphere, merges with space, extremely thin air, contains hydrogen and helium.

Question 21

Height range of Exosphere

Answer 21

Extends from about 600 km to 10,000 km (373-6,200 miles).

Question 22

Why is the Exosphere important?

Answer 22

It gradually transitions into outer space and contains some satellites.

Question 23

What is the Ionosphere?

Answer 23

A region within the Thermosphere and Mesosphere that contains charged particles and is important for radio waves.

Question 24

What is the function of the Ionosphere?

Answer 24

Reflects radio waves back to Earth, enabling long-distance communication.

Question 25

How do temperatures change in each layer?

Answer 25

Troposphere (decreases), Stratosphere (increases), Mesosphere (decreases), Thermosphere (increases), Exosphere (varies).

Question 26

Where do auroras occur?

Answer 26

In the Thermosphere, caused by interactions between solar wind and Earth's magnetic field.

Question 27

Where do commercial airplanes fly?

Answer 27

In the lower Stratosphere to avoid turbulence from weather in the Troposphere.

Question 28

Where do space shuttles orbit?

Answer 28

In the Thermosphere, just below the Exosphere.

Question 29

Where do meteors burn up?

Answer 29

In the Mesosphere.

Question 30

Where is the ozone layer located?

Answer 30

In the Stratosphere.

Question 31

Why does the ozone layer matter?

Answer 31

It absorbs and blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.