Show:
Troposphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Thermosphere/Exosphere
Which layer am I?
100

True or False: 75% of all of the air in the atmosphere is located in the Troposphere.

True.

100
True or false, the Mesosphere is above the Troposphere.
False, it is the third layer from the ground of the atmosphere.
100
True or False: Air is thinner in the stratosphere than the troposphere.
True.
100
True or False: There is a definite end to the Exosphere.
False. The layer is the uppermost layer of our atmosphere, and gradually fades into outer space. There is even some debate as to whether the exosphere should truly be considered part of our atmosphere, as there are so few particles of air.
100
I am the lowest layer of the atmosphere. I contain the vast majority of mass in the atmosphere.
Troposphere
200

True or False: Weather originates in the Troposphere, but also exists in the Stratosphere since about 24% of air exists in the stratosphere.

False.  All of the water vapor in the atmosphere is located in the Troposphere, and as a result all weather phenomena occurs there... not in the stratosphere.

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.
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.
200
The thermosphere is the layer of the atmosphere with the highest temperatures. Why is this so?
The layer receives a tremendous amount of energy from the Sun rays. Temperatures can reach above 1000 degrees Celsius.
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

Where is the Troposphere the thickest?

The troposphere is the thickest in the Equatorial regions, and thinnest at the polar regions. It is around 13 km thick near the equator and 10 km thick near the poles.

300
Despite not having very many air molecules, explain how our upper layers of the atmosphere are able to break up meteoroids before they reach Earth.
They are able to break up the meteoroids as a result of friction, a force which heats the meteoroids to the point that they catch fire and break apart.
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.
300
True or False: The majority of meteoroids are burnt up in the Thermosphere.
True. While the Mesosphere is sometimes the final place that meteoroids burn up, most meteoroids do not survive the friction generated in the thermosphere.
300
I burn up the majority of meteoroids. I am the hottest layer of the atmosphere.
Thermosphere
400

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

For every mile you rise up, the temperature of the troposphere drops around 10 degrees oC (18 oF).

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.
400
Explain why airplanes benefit from flying in the stratosphere vs. the thermosphere.
There is less friction, as the air is thinner. As a result, they are able to fly faster using less fuel.
400
Approximately how thick is the thermosphere?
90 km.
400
I contain the Ozone layer. Humans rarely interact with me directly, unless they are flying in a large jet airplane.
The stratosphere.
500

Why does the temperature of the Troposphere vary as you move up?

The Troposphere is affected by the thermal radiation of the ground. Because the ground absorbs some of the Sun's energy, it is also able to release some of this energy as heat. This warms the air, resulting in higher temperatures depending on how much heat is being sent upwards from the ground.  As you move upwards, less heat reaches you.

500
Approximately how thick is the Mesosphere?
40 km.
500
Describe the Greenhouse Effect in detail, and explain how the Stratosphere plays a pivotal role in this process.
The Greenhouse Effect limits the amount of the Sun's energy than enters and is released from Earth. As a result, the Earth's surface temperature is regulated and does not become too hot or too cold. The Stratosphere is important because it contains the Ozone layer, which is a thin layer of a gas (ozone) that absorbs much of the Sun's UV rays.
500
Why is the thermosphere important to radio communication?
It contains a layer of charged particles called the ionosphere, which is capable of bouncing back radio waves.
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.