Gasses in the atmosphere Flashcards
What are the four layers of the atmosphere?
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
The layers are based on temperature differences.
What is the layer closest to the Earth called?
Troposphere
This layer contains most of the atmosphere’s mass and is where weather occurs.
What is the upper boundary of the troposphere called?
Tropopause
It separates the troposphere from the stratosphere.
What is the cause of temperature differences in the atmospheric layers?
The way solar energy is absorbed as it moves downward through the atmosphere
The Earth’s surface absorbs solar energy and re-radiates it as heat.
How does temperature change with altitude in the troposphere?
Decreases
Temperature decreases as altitude increases in the troposphere.
How does temperature change with altitude in the stratosphere?
Increases
The temperature increases due to the presence of the ozone layer.
How does temperature change with altitude in the mesosphere?
Decreases
Temperature decreases with increasing altitude in the mesosphere.
How does temperature change with altitude in the thermosphere?
Increases
The thermosphere experiences a rise in temperature due to solar activity.
What is the approximate height of the tropopause?
11 km
The tropopause is located at about 11 km above sea level.
What is the approximate temperature at the stratopause?
-2 °C
The stratopause is located around 50 km in altitude.
What is the general location of the ozone layer?
In the stratosphere
The ozone layer absorbs and scatters ultraviolet solar radiation.
True or False: The mesopause is located at the highest altitude in the atmosphere.
False
The thermosphere is the highest layer, above the mesosphere.
What is the approximate height of the mesopause?
80 km
The mesopause separates the mesosphere from the thermosphere.
Fill in the blank: The temperature _______ with altitude in the troposphere.
decreases
Fill in the blank: The temperature _______ with altitude in the stratosphere.
increases
What causes the temperature to increase with altitude through the stratosphere?
Presence of the ozone layer absorbing UV radiation
The ozone layer warms the stratosphere by absorbing solar energy.
What causes the temperature to decrease with altitude in the mesosphere?
Thin air and less heat retention
The mesosphere has fewer air molecules to retain heat.
What causes the temperature to decrease with altitude in the troposphere?
Heat is lost as air rises
The troposphere is heated from below by the Earth’s surface.
Why do scientists divide the atmosphere into four layers?
To better understand and study temperature and composition differences
Each layer has distinct characteristics that affect weather and climate.
Where do the ‘pauses’ in the atmosphere get their names?
From the temperature changes that occur at those boundaries
Each pause marks a transition between layers with different temperature trends.
