Chapter 21, Problem 1QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The different regions of the Earth’satmosphere are to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Earth’s atmosphere has many layers, which are easily identified by calculating the temperature change of the atmosphere with a change in altitude.

Answer to Problem 1QP

Solution: There are four layers in the Earth’s atmosphere. The troposphere is the closest to Earth’s surface. Above the troposphere, there is stratosphere and above the stratosphere, there is mesosphere. Thermosphere is the uppermost layer.

Explanation of Solution

The troposphere is the layer of atmosphere closest to Earth’s surface. The troposphere is the thinnest layer of Earth’s atmosphere. It includes about 80% of the total mass of air and all the water vapor of the atmosphere. The temperature decreases with increase in altitude of this region, and the air is well mixed in this region. Above the troposphere, a new region begins called stratosphere, which mainly contains ozone, oxygen, and nitrogen.

In this stratosphere, temperature increases with an increase in altitude and a slower mixing of airoccurs. Above the stratosphere, there is the mesosphere. In this, the concentration of gases and ozone is very low. The temperature decreases with increase in altitude of this region. The uppermost layer of the atmosphere is the thermosphere or ionosphere. As nitrogen, molecular oxygen, and energetic particles like protons and electronscollidewith the sun, it resultsin an increase in the temperature of this region.

Conclusion

The four regions of Earth’s atmosphere are troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.