Solar Radiation and Earth's Seasons Flashcards
1
Q
What are the layers of the atmosphere in order?
A
- troposphere
- stratosphere
- mesosphere
- thermosphere
- exosphere
2
Q
What is the composition of the gases in the atmosphere?
A
- Nitrogen: 78%
- Oxygen: 21%
- Trace Gases: 1%
3
Q
What are the temperature changes within each atmospheric layer (and why)?
A
- Air is most dense near-surface, temperature decreases at the top of the troposphere to the tropopause
- Stratosphere has a rise in temperature with ozone (O3) formation
- Mesosphere temperature drops again due to thinning atmosphere
- Thermosphere receives UV and X-ray radiation, so the temperature rises, still extremely thin air
- Temperature continues to rise as you go out to space
