Chapter 34: Problem 1

Discuss the structure of the atmosphere.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five primary layers: the troposphere, where most weather events occur; the stratosphere, home to the ozone layer; the mesosphere, where meteors burn upon entry; the thermosphere, characterized by extremely high temperatures and containing the ionosphere; and the exosphere, with its light gases and the boundary of space

Step by step solution

Troposphere

Start by describing the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Discuss its characteristics, such as its depth, temperature gradient, and the presence of most weather phenomena.

Stratosphere

Next, detail the stratosphere, where the temperature gradually increases with altitude. Discuss the presence of ozone layer within this layer and its importance.

Mesosphere

Afterwards, describe the mesosphere, characterized by decreasing temperatures with increasing altitude. It's the layer where most meteors burn up when entering the Earth's atmosphere.

Thermosphere

Proceed to the thermosphere, a layer with an extremely high temperature that can reach up to 2000°C. However, it wouldn’t feel hot to a human in direct contact because of the near-vacuum state. It also contains the ionosphere, an area filled with charged particles.

Exosphere

Finally, the uppermost region of the Earth's atmosphere is the exosphere. It's primarily composed of light gases such as hydrogen, helium. The boundary of space lies within this layer.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Discuss the structure of the atmosphere.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Troposphere

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

Thermosphere

Exosphere

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Inorganic Chemistry

Chemical Reactions

Chemical Analysis

Kinetics

Organic Chemistry

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.