Question

Give different layers of atmosphere and make a list of their specifications.

Answer 1

The layers of atmosphere constitute Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Ionosphere and Exosphere where Troposphere begins from the surface of the earth and Exosphere is the outermost layer. There specifications are as follows:

Troposphere : This is the first layer at starts from the surface of the earth and extends upto 12 kilometers. All weather phenomena take place in this layer and it contains half of the earth's atmosphere. 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere and mostly clouds appear here. As one goes higher in this layer, temperature drops.

Stratosphere : It extends from the end of the Troposphere to 50 kilometers. Ozone layer which absorbs harmful rays of the sun exists in this layer. Jet aircrafts fly in this layer as this is very stable. Unlike troposphere, stratosphere gets warmer the higher you go.

Mesosphere : It ranges from 50 to 80 kilometers and meteors burn in this layer. Unlike stratosphere, temperature again drops in mesosphere and the earth's coldest temperature, -90 is found near the top of this layer. The temperature continues dropping as one goes higher in this layer. The air in this layer is too thin to breathe.

Thermosphere : Ranging from 80 to 700 kilometers, this is the layer where Auroras, Northern Lights and Southern Lights occur in this layer and space shuttles orbit it. High energy X-rays and UV radiations are absorbed in the atmosphere, raising its temperature to hundreds or sometimes thousands of degrees. The air, however, is so this that it would feel freezing cold to us.

Exosphere : This is layer where atmosphere merges with space. It ranges from 700 to 10,000 kilometers. In exosphere is constantly, though very gradually, leaking out of earth's atmosphere into outer space. There is no clear cut upper boundary where the exosphere fades away into space.

Answer 2

Layers of atmosphere :-

Earth's atmosphere is held in place by gravity. The atmosphere protects the life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation and by regulating temperature. The atmospheric layers are as follows.

1) Troposphere :
The Troposphere is the atmospheric layer closest to the Earth. It is often referred to as the lower atmosphere. This layer holds the most dense composition of gases and molecules. Almost all of our weather is created within the troposphere.

2) Stratosphere :
The Stratosphere is just above the troposphere, starting at an average altitude of about 7 miles above the sea level. The air here is more dry and less dense. Only the highest clouds can be found in this layer. Air Crafts often fly in the lower stratosphere. Near the top of the stratosphere, lies the Ozone layer.

3) Mesosphere :
The Mesosphere lies just above the stratosphere, ranging from about 30 to 50 miles above the sea level. This layer contains chemicals which absorbs energy from the Sun.

4) Thermosphere :
The Thermosphere lies just above the mesosphere, starting about 50 miles above the sea level. Space shuttles and some satellites orbit the Earth within this layer.The thermosphere is the layer in which auroras take place.

5) Ionosphere :
Ionosphere is the name often given to the combination of the mesosphere and the thermosphere. In both these layers, free ionic particles can be found. The Ionosphere is a very important layer because it reflects radio waves, enabling much of our long-distance communication.

6) Exosphere :
The Exosphere is the outermost layer of atmosphere. It has no definite outer limit, as it merges with space. Many satellites orbit the Earth within the exosphere, usually at the altitudes from 300 to 600 miles above the sea level.