- Page 1 Of 8 0 Zoom Part 1 The Atmospheric Layers Background The Atmosphere Can Be Divided Into Four Layers The La 1 (89.98 KiB) Viewed 43 times
Page < 1 > of 8 0 ZOOM Part 1: The Atmospheric Layers BACKGROUND: The atmosphere can be divided into four layers. The layer closest to the Earth is called the troposphere. Above this layer is the stratosphere, followed by the mesosphere, then the thermosphere. The upper boundaries between these layers are known as the tropopause, the stratopause, and the mesopause, respectively. Variations in atmospheric gases cause solar energy to be absorbed differently as it approaches Earth's surface as it travels downward through Earth's atmosphere. Earth's surface is the primary absorber of solar energy, and as such, is the primary source of energy that is reradiated back towards space. This reradiated energy warms the overlying layer, keeping temperatures on Earth within a habitable zone. DIRECTIONS: 1. Table 1 contains the average temperature readings at various altitudes in the Earth's atmosphere. Plot this data on the graph on the worksheet, and connect adjacent points with a smooth curve. Be careful to plot the negative temperature numbers correctly. This profile provides a general picture of temperature at any given time and place; however, the actual temperature may deviate from the average values, particularly in the lower atmosphere. TABLE 1 Average Temperature Agadings at various Altitudes Altitude (km) Tempci ) Altitude (km) Tempo) 0 15 52 -2 5 -18 55 -7 -49 60 -17 12 -56 65 -33 20 -56 70 -54 25 -51 75 -65 30 -46 80 -79 35 -37 -86 40 -22 92 -86 45 -8 95 -81 48 -2 100 -72 10 2. Mark the general location of the ozone layer. You should place the following eight terms on your graph in the correct locations: troposphere, tropopause, stratosphere, stratopause, mesosphere, mesopause, thermosphere and ozone layer.
Page < > of 8 ZOOM 1. Explain the basis for dividing the atmosphere into four layers. 2. Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the: troposphere? stratosphere? mesosphere? thermosphere? 3. Complete the Table Layer Altitude Range (km) Appx. Thickness Temp. Range("C) 4. What causes the temperature to increase with height through the stratosphere, and decrease with height through the mesosphere? 5. What causes the temperature to decrease with height in the troposphere? 6. What is ozone? What is its chemical formula? In which layer is it located? 7. Why is ozone an important part of Earth's atmosphere? 8. What chemicals are known to deplete the amount of ozone in the atmosphere?
Page > of 8 0 ZOOM Graph of Temperature at Various Altitudes 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 Altitude (km above sealevel) 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -100 -90 -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 Temperature (deg. C) 10 20