Question

Which of the following statements are true related to the thermosphere?

1. It is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere.
2. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach as high as 2,500 degrees Celsius
3. The International Space Station (ISS) and many satellites orbit within the thermosphere
4. It is responsible for the occurrence of auroras near the polar regions.
5. Most of Earth's weather occurs in the thermosphere.

• A. ii, iii, iv
• B. iv, v
• C. All
• D. ii only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. ii, iii, iv

Thermosphere

• The thermosphere is the fourth and outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the mesosphere and extending to the exosphere.
• It begins around 85 kilometers (53 miles) above the Earth's surface and has no defined upper limit, gradually fading into the exosphere.
• Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach as high as 2,500 degrees Celsius (4,500 degrees Fahrenheit) due to the absorption of intense solar radiation.
• The International Space Station (ISS) and many other satellites orbit within the thermosphere.
• The thermosphere is responsible for the beautiful auroras that occur near the polar regions, caused by the interaction of solar wind with the Earth's magnetic field.
• Despite the high temperatures, the thermosphere would not feel hot to human skin due to its extremely low density of particles.