Download Graphing Layers of the Atmosphere

Name:
Date:
Graphing the Layers of the Atmosphere
Materials: Graph paper, a pencil (no pen), 1 red and 1 blue colored pencil, a ruler
Your goal: To discover how the atmosphere can be divided into layers based on their characteristics by
making a graph.
Introduction: The atmosphere is divided into 4 layers based on their associated properties. The layer
closest to the Earth is called the troposphere. This is where the majority of Earth’s weather occurs and where
you and I live and breathe. Above this layer is the stratosphere which contains the protective ozone (O3) layer,
followed by the mesosphere, then the thermosphere. The upper boundaries between these layers are known as
the tropopause, the stratopause, and the mesopause, respectively.
Ozone protects us from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sun and has a significant role in the
temperature trend within the stratosphere. You may be familiar with the problem of ozone depletion. Scientists
are concerned that human activity is contributing to a decrease in stratospheric ozone. The exhaust of highflying jets, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are used as refrigerants, may contribute to ozone depletion.
Temperature variations in the four layers are due to the way solar energy is absorbed as it moves
downward through the atmosphere. The Earth’s surface is the primary absorber of solar energy. Some of this
energy is reradiated by the Earth as heat, which warms the overlying troposphere.
Directions:
1. Table 1 contains the average temperature readings at various altitudes in the Earth’s atmosphere. Plot this
data on graph paper, and connect adjacent points with a smooth curve.
™ Be sure to include the following
1. A title
2. Correctly labeled X and Y axis (with units)
™ Be careful to plot the negative temperature numbers correctly (think about the interval you want to use
on each axis BEFORE you start labeling. This profile provides a general picture of temperature at any
given time and place; however, the actual temperature may deviate from the average values, particularly
in the lower atmosphere.
TABLE 1
Average Temperature Readings at Various Altitudes
Altitude (km)
Temperature (oC)
Altitude (km)
Temperature (oC)
0
15
52
-2
5
-18
55
-7
10
-49
60
-17
12
-56
65
-33
20
-56
70
-54
25
-51
75
-65
30
-46
80
-79
35
-37
84
-86
40
-22
92
-86
45
-8
95
-81
48
-2
100
-72
2. Analyze your graph. Identify where the border of each atmosphere layer lies. Indicate this border by
drawing a dotted line horizontally across your graph.
™ Label the different layers of the atmosphere (anywhere between the dotted lines you drew is acceptable).
™ Label the separating boundaries between each layer (on the dotted lines you drew).
™ Mark with a star and label where you would find the ozone layer (anywhere within the layer is
acceptable).
™ You should have 8 words on your graph: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere,
tropopause, stratopause, mesopause and ozone.
3. Using a red and blue colored pencil, shade the atmospheric layers RED where temperature is increasing
within that layer. Shade the atmospheric layers BLUE where temperature is decreasing within that layer.
Analysis Questions:
1. What did you find to be the basis for dividing the atmosphere into four layers?
2. Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the:
troposphere? __________________
stratosphere? _____________________
mesosphere? __________________
thermosphere? ____________________
3. What is the approximate height and temperature of the:
tropopause: ____________________
__________________
stratopause: ____________________
__________________
mesopause: ____________________
__________________
4. Ozone is present in the atmospheric layer called the _________________________________________.
As you read in the introduction, ozone protects us from the sun’s harmful UV radiation and plays a
significant role in the temperature trend within the stratosphere. Answer the following questions
regarding ozone.
a. How do you think ozone assists in the increasing temperatures found within the stratosphere?
b. The ozone layer is depleting and UV radiation exposure is increasing. What are some possible
effects of ozone loss on humans?