Atmospheric layers

Science

Definition

Earth's atmospheric layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere, classified by how temperature changes with altitude. The boundaries between layers are called pauses (tropopause, stratopause, mesopause, thermopause).

Examples

  • Temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere but increases in the stratosphere due to ozone absorbing UV light
  • The mesosphere is the coldest layer, reaching temperatures as low as −90°C
  • The thermosphere can reach temperatures above 1,000°C, but it would not feel hot due to the extremely low air density
Key Fact

Temperature trend: troposphere ↓, stratosphere ↑, mesosphere ↓, thermosphere ↑.

Related Terms

Air pressure Ozone depletion Greenhouse effect Weather patterns

Study This Concept

Practice atmospheric layers with free review games in these units:

Earth Science Unit 6: Atmosphere and Weather