The mesosphere is a layer of Earth’s atmosphere that begins about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the surface and extends to about 80 kilometers (50 miles). It is characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude, in contrast to the troposphere and stratosphere, where temperatures increase with increasing altitude. The mesosphere contains a significant amount of ozone, which absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and is also responsible for the formation of noctilucent clouds, which are visible at high latitudes during summer months.
Does the Mesosphere Increase or Decrease the Temperature?
The mesosphere is the layer of the Earth’s atmosphere that extends from about 50 to 85 km above sea level. It’s characterized by decreasing temperature with increasing altitude, which is the opposite of the troposphere, where the temperature increases with increasing altitude.
The temperature in the mesosphere decreases due to the following reasons:
1. Absorption of Solar Radiation:
– The mesosphere does not receive direct sunlight like the troposphere and stratosphere.
– It mainly receives diffused solar radiation and ultraviolet (UV) rays.
– UV rays ionize and excite gas molecules in the mesosphere, which then release energy as they return to their ground state.
– This energy is lost as heat, resulting in a cooling effect.
2. Expansion of Air:
– As air rises through the mesosphere, it expands due to decreasing pressure.
– Expansion of air causes it to cool down through a process called adiabatic cooling.
3. Radiative Cooling:
– The mesosphere contains relatively few molecules compared to the troposphere and stratosphere.
– This allows infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface to escape into space without being absorbed.
– The net loss of heat through radiation contributes to the cooling of the mesosphere.
4. Thermal Convection:
– Thermal convection occurs when warm air rises and cold air sinks.
– In the mesosphere, the rising air cools as it expands and loses heat through radiation.
– This cooled air then sinks back down, reinforcing the temperature decrease with increasing altitude.
Temperature Profile of the Mesosphere:
The average temperature at the bottom of the mesosphere (50 km) is about -10°C (14°F).
– At the top of the mesosphere (85 km), the temperature drops to about -90°C (-130°F).
Question 1:
Does the mesosphere’s temperature increase or decrease with altitude?
Answer:
The mesosphere, the atmospheric layer located between the stratosphere and thermosphere, experiences a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude.
Question 2:
What is the temperature range of the mesosphere?
Answer:
The temperature range of the mesosphere varies between -90°C (-130°F) at its lower boundary to -100°C (-148°F) at its upper boundary.
Question 3:
How does the mesosphere influence the overall atmospheric temperature profile?
Answer:
The mesosphere’s decreasing temperature gradient with altitude contributes to the overall cooling of the atmosphere, creating a temperature minimum known as the mesopause at the top of the layer.
Well, there you have it! Now you know that the mesosphere is a pretty chilly place, and it’s a big reason why our atmosphere doesn’t just float away into space. So next time you’re looking up at the night sky, take a moment to think about the mesosphere and its important role in keeping our planet habitable. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back later for more fascinating science articles!