Question

Name the atmospheric layer that has following characteristics :

I. This layer extends to a height of about 440 km.

II. In this layer, temperature rises dramatically reaching upto 1480°C.

III. This is due the fact that the gas molecules in this layer absorb the X-rays and ultraviolet radiation of the sun.

IV. It protects Earth from meteors and satellites as its high temperature burns up nearly all the debris coming towards the earth.

1. Thermosphere
2. Mesosphere
3. Stratosphere
4. Toposphere

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Thermosphere

The correct answer is Thermosphere.

• Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its specific traits. These layers have been named the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, Ionosphere, and exosphere moving upward from ground level.
• Thermosphere:
  • ​It is located between 80 and 400 km above the mesopause.
  • The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere.
  • The thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometers high.
  • High-energy X-rays and UV radiation from the Sun are absorbed in the thermosphere.
  • Raising its temperature to hundreds or at times thousands of degrees.
  • Many satellites actually orbit Earth within the thermosphere.
  • The aurora, the Northern Lights, and Southern Lights occur in the thermosphere.​

• Troposphere:
  • The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere.
  • Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km above sea level.
  • Humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer.
  • Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere.
• Stratosphere:
  • The next layer up is called the stratosphere.
  • The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km above the ground.
  • The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere.
  • Commercial passenger jets fly in the lower stratosphere, partly because this less-turbulent layer provides a smoother ride.
• Mesosphere:
  • Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere.
  • It extends upward to a height of about 85 km above our planet.
  • Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere.
  • The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90° C (-130° F), are found near the top of this layer.
• Exosphere:
  • This is the upper limit of our atmosphere. It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.