Key Concepts for Studying the Mesosphere
- Altitude: The mesosphere is located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, at an altitude of about 50 to 85 kilometers above the Earth's surface.
- Temperature: Temperatures in the mesosphere decrease with increasing altitude. Near the top of the mesosphere, temperatures can drop to -100°C (-148°F).
- Atmospheric Composition: The mesosphere contains a mix of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and trace amounts of other gases. It is also where noctilucent clouds, or polar mesospheric clouds, form at high altitudes.
- Meteoroids and Shooting Stars: The mesosphere is where most meteoroids burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, creating the visual spectacle of shooting stars. This process is due to the friction and heat generated as the meteoroids collide with air molecules in the mesosphere.
- Importance: The mesosphere plays a crucial role in protecting the Earth from space debris and is also important for studying atmospheric phenomena and climate patterns.
Study Guide Questions for the Mesosphere
- What is the altitude range of the mesosphere?
- How do temperatures change with increasing altitude in the mesosphere?
- What is the composition of gases in the mesosphere?
- What is the significance of the mesosphere in protecting the Earth from meteoroids?
- What atmospheric phenomenon occurs in the mesosphere that is visible from Earth's surface?
- Why is the study of the mesosphere important for understanding climate patterns?
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LIFE SCIENCE (NGSS)
From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed resulting in a net transfer of energy.
Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.