Layers of the atmosphere

Question 1

List the layers of the atmosphere in order from closest to the Earth to the furthest away

Answer 1

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
(Exosphere)

Question 2

List the characteristics of the Troposphere (8)

Answer 2

Closest to the Earth
10km above surface
70% of the atmosphere
Contains all water vapour and dust
Warm air rises and cold air sinks which creates air movement - Turbulence
Has denser gases
Tropopause - Boundary between troposphere and Stratosphere
Height can vary on latitude, season and time of day

Question 3

List the characteristics of the Stratosphere (7)

Answer 3

10-50km above surface
Very thin air
Commercial aircraft fly here
Dry air
Contains the Ozone layer
Temperature increases at higher altitudes
Stratopause - Layer between stratosphere and mesosphere

Question 4

What is in the ozone layer

Answer 4

The ozone gas (o3)

Question 5

What is the purpose of the ozone layer

Answer 5

Absorb UV radiation

Question 6

What are the negative effects of UV radiation (3)

Answer 6

Cataracts in eyes, Sunburn, Skin cancer
Brings about changes in plants ability to photosynthesize
Changes organisms life cycles and changes size of populations

Question 7

List the characteristics of the mesosphere (7)

Answer 7

50-80km above surface
Middle layer
Coldest Layer
Very thin air
Top of the mesosphere is the coldest (-90)
Burns up meteorites and dust from space
Mesopause - Boundary between mesosphere and thermosphere

Question 8

List the characteristics of the Thermosphere (7)

Answer 8

Starts at 80km - roughly 350km
“Thermo” means warm
Highly exposed to the sun - roughly 2000 degrees
Absorbs a lot of UV and X-Rays
Reflects radio waves back to Earth
Satellites orbit here
International space station is also in this layer - Roughly 370km