Question

The region of the Earth's atmosphere where weather events occur is known as the:

• A. Stratosphere
• B. Mesosphere
• C. Troposphere
• D. Exosphere

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Troposphere

The Troposphere: The Layer of Weather

• The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to an average altitude of about 7 to 15 kilometers (4 to 9 miles). This altitude varies with latitude and season, being higher at the equator and lower at the poles.
• It is the region where all weather phenomena, such as clouds, rain, snow, storms, and wind, occur. This is because approximately 75-80% of the atmosphere's total mass is concentrated in the troposphere.
• Temperature in the troposphere generally decreases with increasing altitude. This phenomenon is known as the environmental lapse rate. The average lapse rate is about 6.5°C per kilometer (3.5°F per 1,000 feet).
• The boundary between the troposphere and the layer above it (the stratosphere) is called the tropopause. This is an isothermal layer where the temperature stops decreasing.
• Key characteristics of the troposphere include:
• Contains most of the atmosphere's water vapor and dust particles.
• Air is densest in this layer due to the weight of the atmosphere above.
• The primary driver of weather is the heating of the Earth's surface by the sun, which causes convection currents.
• Other atmospheric layers and their general characteristics (for comparison):
• Stratosphere: Extends from the tropopause to about 50 km. Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs UV radiation. Temperature increases with altitude here.
• Mesosphere: Extends from the stratosphere to about 85 km. Meteors burn up in this layer. Temperature decreases with altitude.
• Thermosphere: Extends from the mesosphere to about 600 km. Temperature increases significantly with altitude due to absorption of solar radiation. The International Space Station orbits here.
• Exosphere: The outermost layer, gradually merging into outer space.
• Understanding the troposphere is crucial for meteorology and for comprehending daily weather patterns.