what are 3 facts about the stratosphere
-what are 3 facts about the stratosphere
Since blue light has short wavelengths, it gets reflected more compared to other colors. As mentioned in the introduction, certain birds such as cranes, swans, and vultures can fly at this altitude. He concluded that there was another layer in the atmosphere above the troposphere, which he called the stratosphere. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. The water exists in the form of vapor and invisible to plain eyes. The stratosphere also contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation as it enters our atmosphere from the sun. Earth is a great planet to live on because it has a wonderful atmosphere around it. It keeps us warm, it gives us oxygen to breathe, and its where our weather happens. All rights reserved. Cred: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio 3. Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. The following list highlights the characteristics and facts of the stratosphere in more detail. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. Theexosphereis really, really big. measured by the humidity of the air. Earths atmosphere has six different layers. Due to the high speed of the meteor, it generates a lot of heat resulting from high friction between the particles and the meteor. Ozone, which is actually a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms linked together by covalent bonds, absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation that enters the Earth's atmosphere as part of sunlight. The more humid the atmosphere is, the thicker the contrails will be. One wild characteristic of the stratosphere is a phenomenon that occurs, which is known as blue jets. As the altitude increases, the atmosphere diminishes which is the reason why the air pressure in the exosphere is shallow. Privacy Policy It contains 80% of the atmospheric weight, making it the densest layer. The next layer up is called the stratosphere. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. In the 1900s, Hungarian physicist Theodore von Krmn determined the boundary to be around 50 miles up, or roughly 80 kilometers above sea level. - There are no clouds in the layer, and though . stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. This list does not contain all the data available about the stratosphere but highlights the key facts and characteristics of this layer. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. [21] Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) sometimes migrate over Mount Everest, whose summit is 8,848m (29,029ft). This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. Overall, the attenuation of solar UV at wavelengths that damage DNA by the ozone layer allows life to exist on the surface of the planet outside of the ocean. Planes and jets will sometimes. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. It is located just above the troposphere, which is the first layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms. The stratosphere is very cold, ranging in temperatures from negative 68F to negative 5F. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The rides, which are called The Big Shot, Insanity and X-Scream, are equally terrifying and exciting. It lies above the troposphere, the layer closest to Earth, and below the mesosphere. Moreover, it regulates the temperature extremes that are likely to occur between day and night. For this reason, humans would not be able to survive at this altitude without being inside of a plane, rocket, or some type of enclosed environment where air density can be regulated. Other gases that make up the remaining 0.1 percent include trace amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and neon. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. It also consists of a layer known as the ozone layer, a blanket of ozone that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. 11. Air pressure drops, and temperatures get colder, as you climb higher in the troposphere. Approximately 90 percent of the atmosphere's ozone occurs in the stratosphere, the region extending from 10-18 km (6-11 miles) to approximately 50 km (about 30 miles) above Earth's surface. Skin cancer frequency is increasing due to the thinning of the ozone layer. In fact, the air in the exosphere is constantly - though very gradually - "leaking" out of Earth's atmosphere into outer space. Ozone layer (highest concentration of ozone in the atmosphere) The ozone layer is a thin layer of the stratosphere made of a gas called ozone. [6], The mechanism describing the formation of the ozone layer was described by British mathematician Sydney Chapman in 1930. The lower portion of the stratosphere is nearly isothermal (a layer of constant temperature), whereas temperatures in its upper levels increase with altitude. In fact it is not easy to distinguish between space and not space because of the fact that the Earths atmosphere doesnt simply vanish; rather, it gradually becomes thinner and thinner over about 600 miles. 28. She earned her bachelor's in Physics and Astronomy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Fun Stratosphere Facts for Kids. This is due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. The atmosphere surrounds our planet like the peel of an orange. The main gases are nitrogen and oxygen, which make up 99% of the atmosphere. An increase of altitude in the troposphere makes temperatures decrease, which is why it is much colder on the top of a mountain than on sea level. Variations in the amount of energy coming from the Sun exert a powerful influence on both the height of the top of this layer and the temperature within it. Three Highest Thrill Rides in the World. From space, the earth is seen as a blue halo. The stratosphere is a layer of extremely stratified air that rises 40 kilometres above the tropopause and comprises about 20% of the atmosphere's mass. It is called stratosphere because it is stratified in temperature, with warmer layers higher up and cooler layers farther down. Convection is when gases cool as they rise, allowing them to condense on air molecules which form clouds. What are the characteristics of the five layers of the atmosphere? Create an account to start this course today. The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. These gases are found in layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere) defined by unique features such as temperature and pressure. While the stratosphere is dry, additional water vapor is produced in situ by the photochemical oxidation of methane (CH4). The stratosphere extends from from 4 -12 miles (6-20 km) above the Earth's surface to around 31 miles (50 km). Close to the tropopause, temperatures start at approximately -51 Celsius (-60 Fahrenheit) and continue to rise until reaching the stratopause, where temperatures reach -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). That trend of rising temperatures with altitude means that air in the stratosphere lacks the turbulence and updrafts of the troposphere beneath. Hare, J.R. Knight. Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. Moreover, meteorites falling over the earth burn in this layer. Stratosphere - The Stratosphere makes up around 25% of the total of Earth's atmosphere, and is home to more than 90% of our Earth's O-Zone layer. 90% of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere's upper crust. This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. It borders the troposphere below through a thin transitional space called the tropopause. Finally, chlorofluorocarbon molecules are photolysed in the stratosphere releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone giving ClO and O2. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. The stratosphere ends where it transitions to the mesosphere, around 50 kilometers above the earth. - Structure, Solubility & Products, Arrow Pushing Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Topicity in Stereochemistry: Relationships & Examples, Antarafacial & Suprafacial Relationships in Organic Chemistry, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. What Is the Greenhouse Effect? The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. [2][3] The stratosphere is an atmospheric layer composed of stratified temperature layers, with the warm layers of air high in the sky and the cool layers of air in the low sky, close to the planetary surface of the Earth. Because of this, the top of the thermosphere can be found anywhere between 500 and 1,000 km (311 to 621 miles) above the ground. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, and lies approximately 10km to 50km above the Earth's surface. Endeavoring to achieve professional growth through ongoing development of skills and using new and accepted methods of . It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. This layer of Earth's atmosphere is about 319 miles (513 kilometers) thick. The air in the stratosphere is about 1000 thinner than the air at sea level in the troposphere. This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. Because of this, few clouds are found in this layer and almost all clouds occur in the lower, more humid troposphere. Planting trees is one of the efforts that people have done to try to minimize damage and to help rebuild the damaged ozone layer. She currently works as a physicist assistant at a cancer treatment center. 22. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced by biological activity at the surface and is oxidised to NO in the stratosphere; the so-called NOx radical cycles also deplete stratospheric ozone. . The layer made of layers. 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Clouds rarely form in the stratosphere for this reason as well, as the air is very dry. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth. - Facts, Layers & Population, The Changing Earth: Volcanoes, Weathering & Deposition, The Four Spheres of Earth: Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Atmosphere, Interactions of Earth's Spheres: Purpose and Examples, Ionosphere: Definition, Facts, Temperature & Layers, Understanding Plate Tectonics: Tutoring Solution, Understanding Earthquakes: Tutoring Solution, Understanding Volcanoes: Tutoring Solution, Rock Deformation & Mountain Building: Tutoring Solution, Shaping the Earth's Surface: Tutoring Solution, Energy in the Earth System: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Energy Resources: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Material Resources: Tutoring Solution, Earth Science Investigation & Experimentation: Tutoring Solution, Environmental Science 101: Environment and Humanity, UExcel Pathophysiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, Stratosphere Lesson for Kids: Definition & Facts, What is Alginic Acid? Ninety-nine percent of the gases that compose the atmosphere are located below a height of 32 km (20 miles). The stratosphere can be as deep 20 miles or as shallow as 5.5 miles. stratosphere: [noun] the part of the earth's atmosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface and in which temperature increases gradually to about 32 F (0 C) and clouds rarely form. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. Biosphere forms part of the troposphere where life exists. What's in the Atmosphere? It has different layers with different qualities. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be much different, if not non-existent. The stratosphere is a very interesting layer in Earth's atmosphere, as there are many fun stratosphere facts outside of its primary characteristics that make it unique. There are a few other atmospheric layers as well -- you can take a look at a diagram of these below. 2023 TheFactFile.Org. They are found at altitudes of 15 to 25 km (9.3 to 15.5 miles) and form only when temperatures at those heights dip below -78 C. They appear to help cause the formation of the infamous holes in the ozone layer by "encouraging" certain chemical reactions that destroy ozone. Stratosphere. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. 33. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be very different or non-existent, as the shielding of the sun's radiation is important for known Earth life. 23. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. 5. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable. [2] [3] The stratosphere is an atmospheric layer composed of stratified temperature layers, with the warm layers of air high in the sky and the cool layers of air in the low sky, close . Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. Acid rains form when nitrogen oxide or Sulphur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere. The Concorde aircraft cruised at Mach 2 at about 60,000ft (18km), and the SR-71 cruised at Mach 3 at 85,000ft (26km), all within the stratosphere. . The wind, which is the air current, is generated when the hot air rises and gets replaced by colder air. There are forms of biological bacteria living in the stratosphere. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. . As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. The stratosphere has many defining features that make it a unique part of the atmosphere. [20], Some bird species have been reported to fly at the upper levels of the troposphere. It occurs naturally in small (trace) amounts in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). Air density is the lowest, and its temperature can increase up to 1500 degrees Celsius. Blue jets are an extremely rare form of lightning or electrical discharge from clouds in the troposphere. Other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, and neon occupy the remaining portion. Within no time, the vapor from the exhaust freezes and turns visible. The stratosphere is a major stable layer whose base is marked by the tropopause, and where temperatures overall average approximately 60 C.Temperature in the lower stratosphere is isothermal but increases markedly in the upper part, to reach a maximum of . The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun. 25. Never miss out again when another interesting and helpful article is released and stay updated, while also receiving helpful tips & information by simplyclicking on this link .Until next time, keep your eye on the weather! Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. [22][23], In 1902, Lon Teisserenc de Bort from France and Richard Assmann from Germany, in separate but coordinated publications and following years of observations, published the discovery of an isothermal layer at around 1114km, which is the base of the lower stratosphere. The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. It also allows the airplane to stay above the turbulent weather of the troposphere. Terms & Conditions The stratosphere is actually crucial to allowing us to live on earth, because within the stratosphere you will find the ozone layer. The Earth's atmosphere is made up of roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.1% other gases. Ozone protects life on Earth from the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The Brief Overview. Instead, the ionosphere is a series of regions in parts of the mesosphere and thermosphere where high-energy radiation from the Sun has knocked electrons loose from their parent atoms and molecules.