Stratospheric circulation is a predominantly wave-driven circulation in that the tropical upwelling is induced by the wave force by the westward propagating Rossby waves, in a phenomenon called Rossby-wave pumping. Ozone molecules in this layer absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun, converting the UV energy into heat. That means that to get to outer space, you have to be really far from Earth. The stratosphere the atmosphere's second layer, and is located right above the troposphere and right below the mesosphere. (The ozone layer is too large a topic for this article, but you can read more about it in the following post.). (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) The stratosphere can be as deep 20 miles or as shallow as 5.5 miles. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. It is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. 18. N.Butchart, A.A. Scaife, J. Austin, S.H.E. This jacket of gases does a lot for us. Paul J. Crutzen, Mario J. Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for their work describing the formation and decomposition of stratospheric ozone.[9]. Skin cancer frequency is increasing due to the thinning of the ozone layer. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. In fact, the air in the exosphere is constantly - though very gradually - "leaking" out of Earth's atmosphere into outer space. Bacterial life survives in the stratosphere, making it a part of the biosphere. As a result, air circulation is not as prevalent in this layer of the atmosphere, making it difficult for some gasses to escape. But its not the same everywhere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Requested URL: byjus.com/chemistry/stratosphere/, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 15_5 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/15.5 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1. Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. 2011 UCAR with portions adapted from Windows to the Universe ( 2009 NESTA). 26. measured by the humidity of the air. [5] Stratospheric temperatures also vary within the stratosphere as the seasons change, reaching particularly low temperatures in the polar night (winter). It is the highest layer. Stratosphere. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. Approximately 90 percent of the atmosphere's ozone occurs in the stratosphere, the region extending from 10-18 km (6-11 miles) to approximately 50 km (about 30 miles) above Earth's surface. This vertical stratification, with warmer layers above and cooler layers below, makes the stratosphere dynamically stable: there is no regular convection and associated turbulence in this part of the atmosphere. The aurora, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights, occur in the thermosphere. Because of this, jet aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum operational altitudes within the stratosphere. These distances vary slightly due to elevation changes on the Earth. Endeavoring to achieve professional growth through ongoing development of skills and using new and accepted methods of . All Rights Reserved. The waves and tides influence the flows of air in the stratosphere and can also cause regional heating of this layer of the atmosphere. However, this feature allows commercial airliners to fly in the lower stratosphere while traveling faster and save fuel. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. If you are interested in the complete structure and make-up of the atmosphere,this articlecovers all five atmospheric layers and their relation to each other in more detail. It means temperatures rise as altitude increases in this region, unlike the other four layers, which are characterized by a drop in temperature as altitude increases. Create your account. Despite Mercury's weak magnetic field, it behaves similarly to Earth's. The particles in this layer are electrically charged, and when they hit each other, aurora australis can be observed. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. The atmosphere is dense near the surface of the Earth and protects life on the planet Earth. The presence of moisture in the atmosphere is Ozone (O3) photolysis produces O and O2. The atmospheric gases must retain the heat in the sun rays and reflect them to the earth to keep it warm. Strat means layer. The stratosphere is very cold, ranging in temperatures from negative 68F to negative 5F. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. A rare type of electrical discharge, somewhat akin to lightning, occurs in the stratosphere. The stratosphere also traps certain gasses known as CFC's, which are chemicals derived from aerosol. The next layer up is called the stratosphere. The ozone layer is a layer of gas within the stratosphere that protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet sun rays. Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. Aurora is also referred to as polar light. Due to this effect, temperatures in the stratosphere actually increase from about negative {eq}60 {/eq} F up to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F with altitude. Near the equator, the lower edge of the stratosphere is as high as 20km (66,000ft; 12mi), at midlatitudes around 10km (33,000ft; 6.2mi), and at the poles about 7km (23,000ft; 4.3mi). - Structure, Solubility & Products, Arrow Pushing Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Topicity in Stereochemistry: Relationships & Examples, Antarafacial & Suprafacial Relationships in Organic Chemistry, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. However, the distance of 100 kms from the earths surface is what is considered generally as an imaginary boundary. It is important because it contains the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV rays. Ozone layer lies about 19-32 km over the earths surface. They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. As harmful UV rays from the sun become absorbed in the ozone layer, this layer heats up. Atmosphere facts: ninety-nine percent of the gases that compose the atmosphere are located below a height of 32 km (20 miles). The atmospheric balance is jeopardized by human activities that cause global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone belt destruction, air contamination, and acid rains. A Division ofAutumn Skies Online (Pty) Ltd Disclaimer The lower portion of the stratosphere is nearly isothermal (a layer of constant temperature), whereas temperatures in its upper levels increase with altitude. UCAR/Randy Russell The temperatures at the different atmospheric layers differ depending on solar radiation, humidity, and altitude. The exosphere is really, really big. Strat means layer. The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. The stratosphere is a region of intense interactions among radiative, dynamical, and chemical processes, in which the horizontal mixing of gaseous components proceeds much more rapidly than does vertical mixing. Life as we know it wouldnt be possible without this layer of protection. Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV . The stratosphere is one of the 5 layers of the atmosphere, situated above the troposphere and below the mesosphere at an altitude of 10 km (6 miles), extending to 50 km (30 miles). Blue jets are an extremely rare form of lightning or electrical discharge from clouds in the troposphere. The stratosphere is actually crucial to allowing us to live on earth, because within the stratosphere you will find the ozone layer. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Solar ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) separates an oxygen molecule into two different oxygen atoms in the first step. As mentioned in the introduction, certain birds such as cranes, swans, and vultures can fly at this altitude. Atmosphere Atmosphere and Its Layers Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, which absorb the majority of harmful UV radiation from the sun. She has taught in K-12 for more than 15 years, and higher education for ten years. The definition of the stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, extending from about 6 miles to 30 miles, or 10km to 50km, above the Earth's surface. Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. This list does not contain all the data available about the stratosphere but highlights the key facts and characteristics of this layer. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. 24. 4 As a result, it tends to trap any and all gases that enter this region of the atmosphere. However, just above that is an equally important layer called the stratosphere. The chlorine atoms are recycled when ClO reacts with O in the upper stratosphere, or when ClO reacts with itself in the chemistry of the Antarctic ozone hole. Most of the clouds form in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. This creates a smoother ride for passengers, as there are few clouds or weather in the stratosphere. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. The stratosphere contains approximately 19% of the earth's total atmospheric gases. A single chlorine atom can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules. 5. Troposphere - The lowest level of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The air in the stratosphere is about 1000 thinner than the air at sea level in the troposphere. One wild characteristic of the stratosphere is a phenomenon that occurs, which is known as blue jets. Air density is the lowest, and its temperature can increase up to 1500 degrees Celsius. This is just an estimate, however, as the lower and upper boundaries actually vary with the latitude of the earth. ozone depletion, gradual thinning of Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. Theexosphereis really, really big. The temperatures decrease by 6.5 degrees Celsius each kilometer, reaching -55 degrees Celsius at the top limit of the troposphere, commonly known as the tropopause. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. 21. 6. The stratosphere is home to the ozone layer, which is a thin layer of concentrated ozone which plays an essential role in protecting the Earth from dangerous solar radiation. The stratosphere begins at around 10 kilometers above the surface of the earth. The timescale of this rapid mixing is much smaller than the much slower timescales of upwelling in the tropics and downwelling in the extratropics. This material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 10. Temperature increases with height until the estimated top of the thermosphere at 500 km. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, which is composed of a total of five layers. "Strat" means layer. 17. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. There are forms of biological bacteria living in the stratosphere. Though the atmosphere may appear uniform to the naked eye, it is actually similar to a layer cake. 11. Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere . Acid rains form when nitrogen oxide or Sulphur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere. If you do your calculations, each water vapor particle spends approximately nine days in the atmosphere. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be very different or non-existent, as the shielding of the sun's radiation is important for known Earth life. Finally, chlorofluorocarbon molecules are photolysed in the stratosphere releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone giving ClO and O2. Commercial passenger jets fly in the lower stratosphere, partly because this less-turbulent layer provides a smoother ride. Although humans would not be able to survive in the stratosphere due to thin air and frigid temperatures, there is life that can and does survive there. The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. Different definitions place the top of the exosphere somewhere between 100,000 km (62,000 miles) and 190,000 km (120,000 miles) above the surface of Earth. Brewer-Dobson Circulation occurs in the stratosphere. Some researchers and even students have sent helium balloons with cameras to record the stratosphere. While common in the troposphere, very little convection takes place in the stratosphere. This layer of Earth's atmosphere is about 319 miles (513 kilometers) thick. The atmosphere consists of five distinct layers, with the stratosphere being the second, situated just above the troposphere. What's in the Atmosphere? Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. Gases and dust from volcanic eruptions often meet the same fate, remaining trapped in the stratosphere for months or even longer. [19] In 2001, dust was collected at a height of 41 kilometres in a high-altitude balloon experiment and was found to contain bacterial material when examined later in the laboratory. Acidic rains destroy plants and animals, and if it reaches rivers and lakes, it destroys all the aquatic life. 8. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Since blue light has short wavelengths, it gets reflected more compared to other colors. 23. One of the most surprising things about the stratosphere is not its characteristics but about what you find in this layer. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. The coldest temperatures are found in the mesopause. Earth is a great planet to live on because it has a wonderful atmosphere around it. . Another large-scale feature that significantly influences stratospheric circulation is the breaking planetary waves[15] resulting in intense quasi-horizontal mixing in the midlatitudes. They are far much apart from that they can move thousands of kilometers without colliding. 3. Planes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence and fly longer distances using less fuel. Of all the atmospheric layers, this is the most closest to the Earth. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. She currently works as a physicist assistant at a cancer treatment center. Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 00:23, "Atmospheric Temperature Trends, 19792005", "NWS JetStream - Layers of the Atmosphere", "The Stratosphere - overview | UCAR Center for Science Education", "Parachutist's Record Fall: Over 25 Miles in 15 Minutes (Published 2014)", "Google's Alan Eustace beats Baumgartner's skydiving record", Quasi-biennial oscillation in ozone in a coupled chemistry-climate model, Breaking planetary waves in the stratosphere, Stratospheric Harbingers of Anomalous Weather Regimes, A stratospheric influence on the winter NAO and North Atlantic surface climate, "How Sudden Stratospheric Warming Affects the Whole Atmosphere", "Collision between a Vulture and an Aircraft at an Altitude of 37,000 Feet". As the altitude increases, the atmosphere diminishes which is the reason why the air pressure in the exosphere is shallow. Hare, J.R. Knight. It is located just above the troposphere, which is the first layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground. This is how certain gases become trapped in the stratosphere, like CFC's and ozone. Temperatures in the upper thermosphere can range from about 500 C (932 F) to 2,000 C (3,632 F) or higher. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. However, the air in this layer is so thin that it would feel freezing cold to us! Clouds rarely form in the stratosphere for this reason as well, as the air is very dry. Unlike the stratosphere, temperatures once again grow colder as you rise up through the mesosphere. That's much thicker than the inner layers of the atmosphere, but not nearly as thick as the exosphere. However, temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere, which is opposite from the troposphere. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Convection is when gasses cool down as they rise, allowing them to condense onto air particles and form clouds. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. 29. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. This includes its location, what it is composed of, the temperature range, and its density. Certain swans, cranes, and vultures can fly in the lower stratosphere. It contains the ozone layer and is between the troposphere, the first layer of the atmosphere, and the mesosphere, the third layer of the atmosphere. Due to the high speed of the meteor, it generates a lot of heat resulting from high friction between the particles and the meteor. In the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) near the Earth's surface, ozone is created by chemical reactions between air pollutants . The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. [6] Winds in the stratosphere can far exceed those in the troposphere, reaching near 60m/s (220km/h; 130mph) in the Southern polar vortex. This site is owned and operated by Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Somerset West, South Africa. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. 3. [24], Seinfeld, J. H., and S. N.(2006), Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change 2nd ed, Wiley, New Jersey. (Learn more about Nacreous or Polar Stratospheric Clouds in this article.). Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. This results in an increase in temperature from about -76 degrees Fahrenheit to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. We are not permitting internet traffic to Byjus website from countries within European Union at this time. This decrease in temperature with altitude is what causes convection to occur in the troposphere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Most airplanes or jets travel in the lower part of the stratosphere. 32. In addition, solar proton events can significantly affect ozone levels via radiolysis with the subsequent formation of OH. The Earth's atmosphere is made up of roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.1% other gases. 2 It extends from a height of approximately 65 km (40 miles) to 85 km (53 miles) above the Earth's surface. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. The main gases are nitrogen and oxygen, which make up 99% of the atmosphere. Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. These are generated when cold atmospheric air blends with the hot, humid exhaust. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. 30. If you were to climb a mountain in the stratosphere you would have to take off your warm clothes as you got closer to the top rather than putting them on like we usually do. These events often precede unusual winter weather [16] and may even be responsible for the cold European winters of the 1960s.[17]. The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9 miles).
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