Why are there different vertical gradients of temperature in different layers of the atmosphere?

Asked by: Neil Edwards

Temperature rises with altitude in the stratosphere because this is where the ozone layer exists. The troposphere is primarily heated from below. In contrast, the stratosphere is primarily heated from within via absorption of ultraviolet sunlight by oxygen and ozone.

Why do the different layers of the atmosphere have different temperature gradients?

In some layers, temperature increases with altitude and in others it decreases. The temperature gradient in each layer is determined by the heat source of the layer. Most of the important processes of the atmosphere take place in the lowest two layers: the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Why do temperatures change vertically in the atmosphere?

Troposphere. From the earth’s surface to 11-12 km above, temperature decreases with height. This fact results from the sun’s radiation striking the earth and the earth then warming the air above it. So the closer the air is to the ground, the warmer it becomes.

How the temperature differs in different layers?

Temperature increases as you gain altitude in the stratosphere and the thermosphere. Temperature decreases as you gain altitude in the troposphere and mesosphere.

Why there is a negative temperature gradient in troposphere and mesosphere while opposite in stratosphere and thermosphere?

Because ozone interacts with sunlight, the ozone layer at the top of the stratosphere has a warming effect, and in that layer of the atmosphere, the temperature gradient is positive. However, when you rise above the ozone layer and enter the mesosphere, the gradient again becomes negative.

How does temperature vary within one layer of the atmosphere?

The Troposphere



In this part of the atmosphere the temperature gets colder as the distance above the earth increases, by about 6.5°C per kilometre. The actual change of temperature with height varies from day to day, depending on the weather.

How does temperature change within the layers of the atmosphere?

Quote from video: The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere. The ozone layer protects us from ultraviolet light rays given off from the Sun. And as you get higher in the stratosphere the temperature actually gets

What is vertical temperature gradient?

A temperature gradient is defined as being superadiabatic when it corresponds to the vertical cooling defined by the temperature gradient ΔT/Δz < −1°C/100 m, or ΔΘ/Δz < 0 °C/100 m.

What is vertical temperature stability of atmosphere?

The DALR is the rate at which the temperature of a dry (unsaturated) air parcel changes as it ascends or descends through the atmosphere.It is approximately 3°C per 1000 feet.

Why does temperature increase as you get higher in some layers?

As such, incoming high energy ultraviolet and x-ray radiation from the sun begins to be absorbed by the molecules in this layer and causes a large temperature increase. Because of this absorption, the temperature increases with height.

What causes the temperature gradient you see in the troposphere?

The warm air near the surface rises and cool air higher in the troposphere sinks, so air in the troposphere does a lot of mixing. This mixing causes the temperature gradient to vary with time and place.

How does the temperature vary with in a layer of the atmosphere give one example to support your answer?

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Why are some layers of the atmosphere warmer than others?

The base of this layer is warmer than its top because the air is heated by the surface of the Earth, which absorbs the Sun’s energy. Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere where jet airplanes fly. Temperatures increase with altitude because of increasing amounts of ozone.

What causes the temperature gradient you see in the troposphere?

The warm air near the surface rises and cool air higher in the troposphere sinks, so air in the troposphere does a lot of mixing. This mixing causes the temperature gradient to vary with time and place.

Why does temperature increase as you get higher in some layers?

As such, incoming high energy ultraviolet and x-ray radiation from the sun begins to be absorbed by the molecules in this layer and causes a large temperature increase. Because of this absorption, the temperature increases with height.

What causes the lower layers in the troposphere to have higher temperatures than that of the upper troposphere?

In the troposphere, the temperature generally decreases with altitude. The reason is that the troposphere’s gases absorb very little of the incoming solar radiation. Instead, the ground absorbs this radiation and then heats the tropospheric air by conduction and convection.

Why does the temperature of a place in the atmosphere decreases with height?

The basic answer is that the farther away you get from the earth, the thinner the atmosphere gets. The total heat content of a system is directly related to the amount of matter present, so it is cooler at higher elevations.

Why do you think temperatures are higher at the surface than at the middle and upper portions of the troposphere?

The troposphere gets some of its heat directly from the Sun. Most, however, comes from Earth’s surface. The surface is heated by the Sun and radiates back into the air. This makes the temperature higher near the surface than at higher altitudes.