The atmosphere is made up of several layers of air, the bottom, two layers, the troposphere, and the stratosphere. How does the troposphere different from the stratosphere?
The troposphere and the stratosphere are two distinct layers of the Earth's atmosphere, and they differ in several aspects:
1. Altitude: The troposphere is located closest to the Earth's surface and extends from the surface up to an average height of about 7-17 kilometers (4-11 miles) depending on the geographic location. The stratosphere lies immediately above the troposphere and extends from the top of the troposphere to an altitude of approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles).
2. Temperature Variation: In the troposphere, temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude at a rate of around 6.5°C per kilometer due to the decrease in air pressure. This decrease in temperature forms the basis for weather patterns, cloud formation, and other atmospheric phenomena. However, in the stratosphere, the temperature remains relatively constant or even increases with altitude due to the presence of the ozone layer, which absorbs and distributes the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
3. Composition: Both layers primarily consist of nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and trace amounts of other gases like argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. However, the composition in terms of air density and the distribution of these gases can vary between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The troposphere contains nearly all of the atmosphere's water vapor, aerosols, and weather-related phenomena. In contrast, the stratosphere is drier and contains the ozone layer, which absorbs and filters out harmful UV radiation.
4. Weather and Circulation: The troposphere is the layer where weather phenomena occur, such as clouds, precipitation, storms, and winds. The mixing of warmer air near the Earth's surface and cooler air in the upper regions creates convection currents responsible for weather patterns. On the other hand, the stratosphere experiences much less vertical mixing and has more stable air. This stability allows for the formation of the polar vortex and the jet streams, which influence long-range weather patterns.
Overall, the troposphere and the stratosphere have distinct characteristics in terms of altitude, temperature variation, composition, and weather patterns. These differences play crucial roles in shaping the Earth's climate and atmospheric processes.