L1 - Intro Flashcards
1
Q
What is the main heat source in the troposphere?
A
Earth’s surface. Temperatures decrease with distance from the surface
2
Q
Why does temperature increase with height above the tropopause?
A
Because the main heat source in the stratosphere is ozone, which absorbed UV from the sun. More is absorbed higher up creating an inverted temperature gradient.
3
Q
Why does temperature decrease above the stratopause?
A
Because there is little ozone here and the main heat source is the Earth surface. Heat loss to space dominates
4
Q
Explain the temperature gradient in the thermosphere?
A
Temperature increases significantly with height because atoms and molecules absorb high-energy ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the Sun, causing significant heating.
