Total Questions: 29
The temperature in this layer of the atmosphere decreases continuously with an increase in altitude.
Altitude Range: Approximately 50 km to 85 km (30 to 53 miles) above Earth's surface.
Temperature: This is the coldest layer of the atmosphere, with temperatures dropping to around -90°C (-130°F) at the top.
Key Features:
Meteors burn up in this layer due to friction with atmospheric particles.
It contains noctilucent clouds, which are the highest clouds in Earth’s atmosphere.
Air Pressure: Extremely low—only about 0.1% of sea level pressure.
Ozone: Unlike the stratosphere, the mesosphere does not contain significant ozone.
Scientific Challenge: It's one of the least studied layers because it's too high for balloons and too low for satellites.
Commercial airplanes usually fly at the top of the troposphere or just above it (in the lower stratosphere) to avoid turbulence.
Temperature drops as you go higher in this layer.
UV rays from the Sun strike an oxygen molecule (O₂).
The energy splits the molecule into two separate oxygen atoms (O).
Each free oxygen atom then combines with another O₂ molecule to form ozone (O₃).
This process occurs mainly in the stratosphere, forming the ozone layer that protects Earth from harmful UV radiation.
Protects life by blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.
Traps heat (greenhouse effect) to maintain a livable temperature.
Provides oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Enables weather and water cycle (rain, wind, clouds).
Burns up meteors, protecting the Earth's surface.
Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms (O₃). It plays two very different roles depending on where it is found in Earth’s atmosphere.
Stratospheric Ozone: Formed naturally when UV light splits O₂ into individual atoms, which then combine with O₂ to form O₃.
Tropospheric Ozone: Formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Irritates lungs and throat
Worsens asthma and bronchitis
Damages crops and forests
Contains the ozone layer, mainly between 20 to 30 km altitude
Function: Absorbs 95–99% of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Altitude: Approximately 15 to 50 km above Earth's surface