The mesosphere is the third layer of Earth's atmosphere, situated above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, extending from about 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles) above the Earth's surface. This layer is characterized by decreasing temperatures with increasing altitude, where temperatures can drop as low as -90°C (-130°F). The mesosphere plays a crucial role in protecting the Earth by burning up meteoroids that enter the atmosphere.
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The mesosphere extends from about 50 km to 85 km above Earth's surface, making it one of the least understood layers of the atmosphere.
Temperature decreases with altitude in the mesosphere, making it colder than both the stratosphere and thermosphere.
The mesosphere is where most meteoroids burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, preventing them from reaching the surface.
Sound waves do not travel well in the mesosphere due to low density of air particles.
This layer is also where noctilucent clouds form, which are rare clouds occurring at high altitudes during summer months.
Review Questions
How does temperature change within the mesosphere compared to the layers above and below it?
In the mesosphere, temperature decreases with altitude, which is different from the stratosphere below it where temperature increases due to the presence of ozone. In contrast, once reaching the thermosphere above, temperatures again rise dramatically with altitude due to solar radiation absorption. This variation in temperature across these layers is essential for understanding atmospheric dynamics and weather patterns.
What role does the mesosphere play in protecting Earth from meteoroids, and what happens when these objects enter this layer?
The mesosphere acts as a protective shield for Earth against meteoroids. When these objects enter the atmosphere at high speeds, they collide with air molecules, creating friction that causes them to heat up and burn up before reaching the surface. This process leads to what we see as shooting stars or meteor showers. By vaporizing meteoroids, the mesosphere prevents potential impacts on Earth.
Evaluate how studying the mesosphere contributes to our overall understanding of atmospheric science and its implications for climate change.
Studying the mesosphere helps scientists understand atmospheric processes that affect weather patterns and climate. This layer's interactions with both lower and upper atmospheric layers influence phenomena such as jet streams and atmospheric circulation. Moreover, understanding how changes in temperature and composition within the mesosphere may affect meteor burns can provide insights into how human activities impact atmospheric conditions. As climate change alters temperature gradients and potentially affects atmospheric stability, knowledge of all layers of the atmosphere becomes critical in predicting future climate scenarios.
Related terms
Stratosphere: The second layer of the atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, where the ozone layer resides and temperature increases with altitude.
Thermosphere: The fourth layer of Earth's atmosphere, lying above the mesosphere, characterized by a dramatic increase in temperature and the presence of ionized gases.
Meteor Burn: The phenomenon that occurs when meteoroids enter the atmosphere and ignite due to friction with air molecules in the mesosphere, creating visible trails known as shooting stars.