Chapter 21, Problem 21.3QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The reason for supersonic planes to fly in the stratosphere layer of atmosphere should be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Atmosphere: The atmosphere is defined as air that is layer of gases which surrounds the earth due to gravity of earth.

The earth atmosphere consists of layers such as thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere and troposphere depending on the temperature and its composition.

The different regions of atmosphere and their description are as follows:

Thermosphere:

It is the top most layers in atmosphere which has high temperature than all other layers present in atmosphere. The high temperature is due to the heat released by the reactions like continuous attack of ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}{\text{, N}}_{\text{2}}$ and atomic particles by energetic species.

Mesosphere:

It is layer next to thermosphere that is the layer below the thermosphere. The increasing temperature for this layer with respect to decreasing height is due to the presence of less concentration of ozone and other gases in it.

Stratosphere:

It is found below the mesosphere layer in which the concentration of ozone and other gases are high. The increasing temperature for this layer with respect to increasing height is due to the presence of high concentration of ozone and other gases in it.

The increased temperature is due to the response of UV radiation from sun and hence ozone is formed due to this reaction and the use of ozone is that it prevents the UV radiation from the sun which is actually harmful.

Troposphere:

The layer is below stratosphere layer and it is closest to the earth surface. It is wholly composed of major air that is 80% of the total mass and almost all the water vapor.

It is the thinnest place which is responsible for all weather conditions since it contains almost all amounts of water vapor with it.

To explain: The reason why supersonic planes fly in stratosphere.