DLC- Layers of the atmosphere

  • Divide your paper into 5 sections (landscape or portrait)
  • Write your name on the back of the paper.
  • Starting at the bottom of the paper, neatly label each section with one of the following layers of the atmosphere: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.

Troposphere- The troposphere begins at the Earth's surface and extends from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) high. Most clouds and weather are found in the troposphere. The temperature decreases with altitude. As one climbs higher, the temperature drops from an average around 62°F (17°C) to -60°F (-51°C)

  • Use an arrow to show whether the temperature increases or decreases. Label the altitude range.
  • Draw a picture for four of the following features: The troposphere is where all plants and animals live, it is where all weather occurs, it is where all geologic (mountains, volcanoes, oceans…) are found. It is also were most of the weight of the atmosphere occurs.

Stratosphere-The Stratosphere extends around 31 miles (50 km) down to anywhere from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) above the Earth's surface. In this region of the atmosphere is the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere.

  • Use an arrow to show if the temperature increases or decreases with altitude in this layer. Label the altitude range.
  • Draw a picture for two of the following: The stratosphere is the layer where jets fly, where weather balloons float. The ozone layer (O3), which is the layer that blocks out the sun’s harmful rays is found here.

Mesosphere-This layer extends from around 31 miles (50 km) above the Earth's surface to 53 miles (85 km). Here the atmosphere is very thin and the temperature is decreasing with altitude, about –130 Fahrenheit (-90 Celsius) at the top.

  • Use an arrow to show if the temperature increases or decreases with altitude in this layer. Label the altitude range.
  • Draw a picture for the following: meteors (falling stars) burn up in this layer.

Thermosphere- Between about 53 miles (85 km) and 375 miles (600 km) lies the thermosphere. The temperature is quite hot. Incoming high energy ultraviolet and x-ray radiation from the sun begins to be absorbed by the molecules in this layer and causes a large temperature increase.Because of this absorption, the temperature increases with height. From as low as -184°F(-120°C) at the bottom of this layer, temperatures can reach as high as 3,600°F (2,000°C) near the top.

  • Use an arrow to show if the temperature increases or decreases with altitude in this layer. Label the altitude range.
  • Draw a picture for at least one of the following: Auroras (northern lights) and the space shuttle are found in this layer.

Exosphere- Use an arrow to show that the temperature both increases and decreases ( ) in this layer depending on if the sun is shining in that layer or not. The altitude range is 600 km and greater. Label this in its box.

  • Draw a picture of at least one of the following: Satellites are found here, outer space is found here (moon, stars, planets….)

For full credit your picture must:

Be neat (use a ruler)

Be neatly colored

Contain all required information in an original format

Take up the whole page

Be properly labeled

Have a minimum of 9 pictures.

Analysis Questions (on the back in complete sentences):

  1. What is the lowest level of the atmosphere?
  2. Which layer of the atmosphere do we live in?
  3. Which layers decrease in temperature with increasing altitude?
  4. Which layer blends into outer space?