Stratosphere Study Guide

The stratosphere is the second layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. It extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers (6 to 30 miles) above the Earth's surface. Here are some key points to understand about the stratosphere:

Composition

• The stratosphere is made up of a mixture of gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, and ozone.
• Ozone is particularly important in the stratosphere, as it forms the ozone layer, which absorbs much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Temperature

• The temperature in the stratosphere generally increases with altitude, due to the absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer.
• This temperature profile is different from the troposphere, where temperature decreases with altitude.

Weather and Air Travel

• The stratosphere is relatively calm and stable, with little vertical mixing of air. This makes it an important layer for air travel, as it generally provides smoother flying conditions compared to the turbulent troposphere.
• Most commercial airplanes fly in the lower part of the stratosphere to take advantage of these stable conditions.

Study Questions

1. What is the primary role of ozone in the stratosphere?
2. How does the temperature change with altitude in the stratosphere, and how does this differ from the troposphere?
3. Why is the stratosphere important for air travel?

Understanding the composition, temperature profile, and significance of the stratosphere is important for grasping key concepts in Earth's atmospheric science.

[Stratosphere] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Earth's AtmosphereScience • Sixth Grade