how does the atmosphere change at high altitudes?
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "atmosphere altitude Earth" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_atmosphere
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/atmos.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/Atmosphere.shtml
http://scipp.ucsc.edu/outreach/balloon/atmos/The%20Earth.htm
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/sky_blue.html
In the future, you can find the information you desire yourself, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
it really didn't help at all im more confused then ever
How does the atmosphere change at high altitudes? It is a really broad question.
The air density is much less.
The composition of the air changes.
Ions appear in the far upper levels of the atmosphere.
Temperature is very low.
The third link is pretty good. On a vague question such as this in a technical area, it is very difficult to answer.
thanks i know these questions i have to anwser are broad questions sorry its a worksheet
No problem! Broad questions can be challenging to answer, but I'm here to help. Let's break down each aspect of how the atmosphere changes at high altitudes:
1. Air density: As you ascend to higher altitudes, the air becomes less dense. This means that there are fewer air molecules per unit volume. The decrease in air density affects various aspects of atmospheric properties, such as pressure, temperature, and composition.
2. Composition of air: While the proportion of nitrogen and oxygen remains relatively constant, other components of the atmosphere, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone, tend to decrease with increasing altitude. This change in composition is due to various factors, including the diffusion and mixing of gases, as well as the impact of solar radiation.
3. Ionosphere: At very high altitudes, beyond about 80 kilometers (50 miles), the atmosphere contains a region called the ionosphere. This region is characterized by high concentrations of ions and free electrons, which are produced by the interaction between solar radiation and the upper atmosphere. The ionosphere plays a crucial role in the propagation of radio waves and global communication systems.
4. Temperature: As you move upwards in the atmosphere, the temperature generally decreases. This decrease in temperature is due to the decreasing concentration of greenhouse gases and the decreasing pressure. In the uppermost layers of the atmosphere, such as the mesosphere and thermosphere, the temperature can actually increase again due to absorption of intense ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
To gain a more in-depth understanding of these changes, it might be helpful to consult reliable sources such as textbooks, scientific articles, or educational websites. Additionally, I'm here to provide further clarification if you have any specific questions about these topics.