In which layer of earth’s atmosphere does weather occur? Troposphere, thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere
Weather occurs in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere.
Weather occurs in the troposphere, which is the layer of the Earth's atmosphere closest to the surface. It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the Earth's surface up to an average height of about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) at the Earth's poles and 18 kilometers (11 miles) at the equator. The troposphere is where most weather phenomena, such as clouds, rain, snow, and storms, take place.
Weather occurs in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. To determine this, you can use the knowledge about the different layers of the atmosphere and their characteristics:
1. Troposphere: This is the layer closest to the Earth's surface, extending about 5-9 miles (8-14 kilometers) high at the poles and about 11 miles (17 kilometers) high at the equator. It contains around 75% of the atmosphere's total mass. This layer is characterized by weather patterns, including clouds, precipitation, and temperature changes.
2. Thermosphere: Located above the troposphere, this layer extends from about 56 miles (90 kilometers) high to about 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) above the Earth's surface. It is known for its high temperatures, primarily due to the absorption of intense solar radiation. However, it has an extremely low density and does not directly influence weather patterns.
3. Stratosphere: Above the troposphere, the stratosphere extends roughly from 6 miles (10 kilometers) to about 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the Earth's surface. It contains the ozone layer, which absorbs much of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The stratosphere does not directly play a significant role in weather phenomena.
4. Mesosphere: This is the layer above the stratosphere, extending from about 31 miles (50 kilometers) high to around 53 miles (85 kilometers) above the Earth's surface. It is characterized by decreasing temperatures with increasing altitude. While the mesosphere is involved in some high-altitude atmospheric phenomena like meteors, it does not directly contribute to weather patterns.
Therefore, based on this information, the troposphere is the correct answer.