G.8 Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere

100

True or False: 80% of all of the air in the atmosphere is located in the Troposphere.

True.

200

True or False: Weather does not originate in the Troposphere, even though most rainfall comes from clouds located there.

False. Almost all of the water vapor in the atmosphere is located in the Troposphere, and as a result the vast majority of all weather phenomena occurs there.

300

As you rise up in the Troposphere, explain what happens to the temperature.

For every kilometer, the temperature of the troposphere drops around 6 degrees Celsius.

Mesosphere

100

True or false, the Mesosphere is above the Troposphere.

False, it is the third layer from the ground of the atmosphere.

200

True or false: the Mesosphere has the coldest temperatures of any layer.

True. There are very few molecules of air in the mesosphere, and as a result nothing to absorb the Sun's energy.

300

Approximately how thick is the Mesosphere?

40 km.

400

Why is it very cold in the Mesosphere?

There are so few particles to absorb the Sun's rays, that very little energy is contained in this layer of the atmosphere.

Stratosphere

100

True or False: Air is thinner in the stratosphere than the troposphere.

True.

200

True or False: The Stratosphere contains the ozone layer.

True. The stratosphere is very important to humans for this reason, as the ozone layer is critical in the absorbtion of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

300

Describe what happens to the temperature of the stratosphere as you gain altitude (elevation)

Temperatures rise as you go upwards in the stratosphere. The higher from Earth, the more ultraviolet light is absorbed, resulting in higher temperatures.

Which layer am I?

100

I am the lowest layer of the atmosphere. I contain the vast majority of mass in the atmosphere.

Troposphere

200

I am the highest layer in the atmosphere. I have no definite boundaries, and am often considered to be part of outer space.

Exosphere.

300

I burn up the majority of meteoroids. I am the hottest layer of the atmosphere.

Thermosphere

400

I contain the Ozone layer. Humans rarely interact with me directly, unless they are flying in a large jet airplane.

The stratosphere.

500

I am the third layer of the atmosphere from the ground. I am the coldest layer, because I have so few air particles to absorb energy.

The mesosphere.