Earth's atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases. Sydney Chapman gave a correct description of the source of stratospheric ozone and its ability to generate heat within the stratosphere;[citation needed] he also wrote that ozone may be destroyed by reacting with atomic oxygen, making two molecules of molecular oxygen. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. Learn about the stratosphere, including the stratosphere's definition and importance. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. Facts About The Stratosphere: What It Is And Its Defining Characteristics Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. [4] Temperatures range from an average of 51C (60F; 220K) near the tropopause to an average of 15C (5.0F; 260K) near the mesosphere. . Facts About the Atmosphere - Overview, Benefits and Its Layers It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. The temperatures at the different atmospheric layers differ depending on solar radiation, humidity, and altitude. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful radiation emitted from the Sun. 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. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. 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. Acidic rains destroy plants and animals, and if it reaches rivers and lakes, it destroys all the aquatic life. The contrails usually become thin at low humidity and high altitudes. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. There are some species of birds capable of flying in the stratosphere. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees, to the dark environments of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests, high mountaintops, and transition zones like this one, where ocean and terrestrial ecosystems meet. All Rights Reserved. The stratospheric air is extremely thin and dry since the vast majority of atmospheric gases (and weather activity) are limited to the troposphere. The stratosphere is a region of intense interactions among radiative, dynamical, and chemical processes, in which the horizontal mixing of gaseous components proceeds much more rapidly than does vertical mixing. 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. Little-Known Scientific Facts About the Stratosphere Also, magnetic and south poles reverse at uneven intervals of hundreds of thousands of years. 50 Interesting Facts About The Atmosphere - Page 2 of 3 - The Fact File 3090 Center Green Drive, Boulder, CO 80301, Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere, ACOM | Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling, CISL | Computational & Information Systems, EdEC | Education, Engagement & Early-Career Development, Government Relations & External Engagement. These free-moving elements continuously escape into space due to ballistic trajectories. It borders the troposphere below through a thin transitional space called the tropopause. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. In many ways, the thermosphere is more like outer space than a part of the atmosphere. As mentioned in the introduction, certain birds such as cranes, swans, and vultures can fly at this altitude. The resultant breaking causes large-scale mixing of air and other trace gases throughout the midlatitude surf zone. It extends from about 50 to 85 km (31 to 53 miles) above our planet. The atmospheric balance is jeopardized by human activities that cause global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone belt destruction, air contamination, and acid rains. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the . Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. Stratospheric circulation is a predominantly wave-driven circulation in that the tropical upwelling is induced by the wave force by the westward propagating Rossby waves, in a phenomenon called Rossby-wave pumping. The stratosphere begins at around 10 kilometers above the surface of the earth. . They are a combination of supercooled water and nitric acid that develop at very low temperatures. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. In the stratosphere - 'strato' means layer and sphere is the shape of the earth. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be much different, if not non-existent. Create your account. (Learn more about Nacreous or Polar Stratospheric Clouds in this article.). Thus it means layer which surrounds the earth. The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, which absorb the majority of harmful UV radiation from the sun. The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km (31 miles) above the ground. "Strat" means layer. This article focus on the stratosphere, Earth's second layer. Ice clouds form in this layer which is visible when lighted from beneath during sunset. The stratosphere protects Earth life from extremely harmful UV rays from the sun. Ozone layer lies about 19-32 km over the earths surface. This allows the stratosphere to have an increasing temperature with altitude. OH is formed by the reaction of electrically excited oxygen atoms produced by ozone photolysis, with water vapor. Ionosphere plays a vital role in radio signals broadcast on the earths surface. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! There are no storms or turbulence here to mix up the air, so cold, heavy air is at the bottom and warm, light air is at the top. The stratosphere also has an increasing temperature with increasing altitude, which is different than what happens in the troposphere. The presence of moisture in the atmosphere is The air in the stratosphere is about 1000 thinner than the air at sea level in the troposphere. The lower boundary of the stratosphere can be as high as 20 km (12 miles or 65,000 feet) near the equator and as low as 7 km (4 miles or 23,000 feet) at the poles in winter. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. Terms & Conditions Cred: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio 3. It keeps us warm, it gives us oxygen to breathe, and its where our weather happens. Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. Air pressure drops, and temperatures get colder, as you climb higher in the troposphere. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) The stratosphere can be as deep 20 miles or as shallow as 5.5 miles. 2011 UCAR with portions adapted from Windows to the Universe ( 2009 NESTA). Stratosphere Facts, Characteristics & Composition | What is the There are little to no clouds in the stratosphere from the lack of convection. On October 24, 2014, Alan Eustace became the record holder for reaching the altitude record for a manned balloon at 135,890ft (41,419m). Ozone molecules in this layer absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun, converting the UV energy into heat. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion takes place. She currently works as a physicist assistant at a cancer treatment center. However, this feature allows commercial airliners to fly in the lower stratosphere while traveling faster and save fuel. It is also roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) thick. Earth's Atmospheric Layers | NASA However, as you enter the stratosphere, the ozone gas absorbs the ultraviolet light entering the atmosphere from the sun. 17. Ozone depletion | Facts, Effects, & Solutions | Britannica The stratosphere is the second layer in the Earth's atmosphere. This includes the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere, and stratosphere. The Earth's atmosphere is made up of roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.1% other gases. 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. The word 'stratosphere' is derived from the word 'strato' meaning layer, and 'sphere' which is earth's shape. The Stratosphere also has three thrill rides at the top. 20. Many satellites actually orbit Earth within the thermosphere! Certain swans, cranes, and vultures can fly in the lower stratosphere. The overall circulation of the stratosphere is termed as Brewer-Dobson circulation, which is a single-celled circulation, spanning from the tropics up to the poles, consisting of the tropical upwelling of air from the tropical troposphere and the extra-tropical downwelling of air. Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere . Biosphere forms part of the troposphere where life exists. The stratosphere ends where it transitions to the mesosphere, around 50 kilometers above the earth. That's much thicker than the inner layers of the atmosphere, but not nearly as thick as the exosphere. Its magnetic field goes up to 60,000 km into space. Skin cancer frequency is increasing due to the thinning of the ozone layer. As a result, it tends to trap any and all gases that enter this region of the atmosphere. This creates a smoother ride for passengers, as there are few clouds or weather in the stratosphere. Other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, and neon occupy the remaining portion. This is due to the temperature changes within the stratosphere. 29. Due to this, the stratosphere has very little convection, which causes chemicals derived from aerosols, known as CFC's, to become confined to the stratosphere. The HO2 radical produced by the reaction of OH with O3 is recycled to OH by reaction with oxygen atoms or ozone. Although on average the stratosphere begins at about 7 miles up from the earth's surface, it can range from 5 miles at the earth's poles, to 6-8 miles at moderate latitudes, to 11 miles at the equator. 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! Mercury's magnetic field is different at its poles. ozone depletion, gradual thinning of Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. Temperatures in the upper thermosphere can range from about 500 C (932 F) to 2,000 C (3,632 F) or higher. As the ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, it causes the temperature in this layer to increase. Current map of global winds and temperatures at the 10 hPa level. Stratosphere | Encyclopedia.com 13. 25. Stratosphere. There is no clear-cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. Brewer-Dobson Circulation occurs in the stratosphere. The following list highlights the characteristics and facts of the stratosphere in more detail. We now know that there are additional ozone loss mechanisms and that these mechanisms are catalytic meaning that a small amount of the catalyst can destroy a great number of ozone molecules. The temperatures decrease by 6.5 degrees Celsius each kilometer, reaching -55 degrees Celsius at the top limit of the troposphere, commonly known as the tropopause. There are forms of biological bacteria living in the stratosphere. The rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. The more humid the atmosphere is, the thicker the contrails will be. This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. These troposphere facts are going to make you see the air around you in a very different light and help you learn more about how we live and breathe. High School Math Teacher for the 2023-2024 School Year at The Grove CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. 22. It means temperatures rise as altitude increases in this region, unlike the other four layers, which are characterized by a drop in temperature as altitude increases. Stratosphere | NASA Space Place - NASA Science for Kids However, exceptionally energetic convection processes, such as volcanic eruption columns and overshooting tops in severe supercell thunderstorms, may carry convection into the stratosphere on a very local and temporary basis. What are 3 interesting facts about Mercury? 35. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. Blue jets are an extremely rare form of lightning or electrical discharge from clouds in the troposphere. We live in the troposphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere closest to earth. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. 9. Rainbow Facts: What Is A Rainbow And How Does It Occur? Bacterial life survives in the stratosphere, making it a part of the biosphere. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. [21] Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) sometimes migrate over Mount Everest, whose summit is 8,848m (29,029ft). This material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. This vertical stratification, with warmer layers above and cooler layers below, makes the stratosphere dynamically stable: there is no regular convection and associated turbulence in this part of the atmosphere. There are no storms or turbulence here to mix up the air, so cold, heavy air is at the bottom and warm, light air is at the top. The destruction of the ozone layer lets an enormous amount of ultraviolet rays reach the earth, which leads to skin cancer and cataracts in humans and animals alike. Each year, this large amount of water is recycled about 40 times. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. Temperatures rise as one moves upward through the stratosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere. 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. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. This is due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Near the equator, the lower edge of the stratosphere is as high as 20km (66,000ft; 12mi), at midlatitudes around 10km (33,000ft; 6.2mi), and at the poles about 7km (23,000ft; 4.3mi). stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. It is possible to send research balloons into the stratosphere. Why Is Carbon Important? While the troposphere is filled with a vast assortment of clouds thanks to a gas we know as water vapor, the stratosphere is a vast, clear blue sky. The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. Due to the lack of vertical convection in the stratosphere, materials that get into the stratosphere can stay there for long times. This list does not contain all the data available about the stratosphere but highlights the key facts and characteristics of this layer. "Strat" means layer. Its concentration in the atmosphere naturally fluctuates depending on seasons and latitudes, but it was . This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. The oxygen atom product combines with atmospheric molecular oxygen to reform O3, releasing heat. He discovered this atmospheric layer by sending a weather balloon up and noticing that the temperature changes differently than it does in the troposphere. 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. PSCs are also called nacreous clouds. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. This increase of temperature with altitude is characteristic of the stratosphere; its resistance to vertical mixing means that it is stratified. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the atmosphere. Stratospheric warming of the polar vortex results in its weakening. 2023 TheFactFile.Org. As it absorbs the UV light, it absorbs energy. It is like a giant magnet and retains high-energy particles, thereby protecting the earth. Air is roughly a thousand times thinner at the top of the stratosphere than it is at sea level. Gases and dust from volcanic eruptions often meet the same fate, remaining trapped in the stratosphere for months or even longer. 4 28. 16. In addition, solar proton events can significantly affect ozone levels via radiolysis with the subsequent formation of OH. The lower boundary of the stratosphere is called the tropopause; the upper boundary is called the stratopause. The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. Be grateful! 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. 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. Exosphere widely contains particles of helium and hydrogen. They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Most turbulence at this altitude is caused by variations in the jet stream and other local wind shears, although areas of significant convective activity (thunderstorms) in the troposphere below may produce turbulence as a result of convective overshoot. Ozone is important for ensuring that just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth. Providing an environment conducive to good instruction and motivation in which there is an atmosphere of self-motivation and self-discipline in the areas of personal development, character, and academic integrity. Airplanes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence. Ionization takes place in the ionosphere caused by the suns radiation. Here are 50 Interesting facts about the atmosphere that you probably didnt know. Like the other atmospheric layers, it does not have a fixed height but starts at an altitude of approximately 10 km(6 miles), extending up to a height of roughly 50 km(30 miles). https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stratosphere&oldid=1140010063, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 00:23. This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. In the 1900s, Hungarian physicist Theodore von Krmn determined the boundary to be around 50 miles up, or roughly 80 kilometers above sea level. Heat is produced in the process of the formation of Ozone, and this heat is responsible for . Ozone, an unusual type of oxygen molecule that is relatively abundant in the stratosphere, heats this layer as it absorbs energy from incoming ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Moreover, the distance between the molecules increases as you move up the different layers. measured by the humidity of the air. Since the stratosphere has increasing temperature with elevation, convection is very rare. The stratosphere is one of the 5 layers of the atmosphere, situated above the troposphere and below the mesosphere at an altitude of 10 km (6 miles), extending to 50 km (30 miles). 18. The air in the mesosphere is far too thin to breathe (the air pressure at the bottom of the layer is well below 1% of the pressure at sea level and continues dropping as you go higher). Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. A single chlorine atom can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, where an increasing altitude yields a decrease in temperature. It reaches up to the mesosphere, with another thin layer of air called the stratopause separating them. While the stratosphere is dry, additional water vapor is produced in situ by the photochemical oxidation of methane (CH4). The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station as it orbits Earth. Due to this effect, temperatures in the stratosphere actually increase from about negative {eq}60 {/eq} F up to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F with altitude. The air density is also very low, making it less turbulent to travel through. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. So, what does the stratosphere do? If you were to climb a mountain in the stratosphere you would have to take off your warm clothes as you got closer to the top rather than putting them on like we usually do. Composition of the Earth's atmosphere. A Division ofAutumn Skies Online (Pty) Ltd Disclaimer Create an account to start this course today. (The ozone layer is too large a topic for this article, but you can read more about it in the following post.). Around the poles, it actually begins at around 7 kilometers, whereas around the equator it can be as high as 20 kilometers. The atmosphere is a layer of gases retained by gravity on the earth. The stratosphere ( / strtsfr, - to -/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Layers of Earth's Atmosphere | Center for Science Education As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. - This is the second layer of the atmosphere from the surface of the earth, and lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere. The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. Stratosphere | atmospheric region | Britannica The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. The ozone layer is very important, as it protects life on Earth from the majority of the UV rays emitted from the sun. The lower portion of the stratosphere is nearly isothermal (a layer of constant temperature), whereas temperatures in its upper levels increase with altitude. A good percentage of the earths population breathes contaminated air, primarily sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted by industrial factories. [24], Seinfeld, J. H., and S. N.(2006), Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change 2nd ed, Wiley, New Jersey. [5] Stratospheric temperatures also vary within the stratosphere as the seasons change, reaching particularly low temperatures in the polar night (winter). Facts About Stratosphere - GKToday 77 Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere - LovePsychologys Troposphere - The lowest level of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere. The stratosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. The Stratosphere | Center for Science Education The holes in the ozone layer have been recorded above the Antarctica seasonally, as well as in other parts of the world. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms.
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