Mesosphere
The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It is characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude.
Key Characteristics:
- Altitude: Extends from about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to 85 kilometers (53 miles) above the Earth's surface.
- Temperature: Temperatures in the mesosphere decrease with increasing altitude, reaching as low as -90°C (-130°F) at the mesopause.
- Atmospheric Pressure: The pressure in the mesosphere is much lower than at the Earth's surface, and it continues to decrease with altitude.
Importance:
The mesosphere plays a crucial role in protecting the Earth from meteoroids, as many of these objects burn up upon entry into the mesosphere due to collisions with gas molecules.
Chemical Composition:
The mesosphere contains various gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and trace amounts of other gases such as ozone and carbon dioxide.
Study Tips:
- Understand the relationship between temperature and altitude in the mesosphere.
- Learn about the protective role of the mesosphere in shielding the Earth from meteoroids.
- Review the composition of gases in the mesosphere and their significance.
[Mesosphere] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. Elements - Set I
Worksheet/Answer key
Elements - Set I 
Worksheet/Answer key
Elements - Set I Worksheet/Answer key
Elements - Set I
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
PHYSICAL SCIENCE (NGSS)
Matter and Its Interactions
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.