Question

Paragraph 1 — How the Layers Are Alike
All of Earth’s atmospheric layers are parts of the same envelope of gases that surrounds the planet, mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen with small amounts of other gases. Each layer is also defined by a specific altitude range and a characteristic pattern (such as how temperature changes with height), so scientists can identify where one layer ends and the next begins and describe the role each layer plays.

Paragraph 2 — How the Layers Differ
Compare the troposphere and the thermosphere: in the troposphere temperature generally decreases as you go up, while in the thermosphere temperature increases with altitude and can become very high (though the air is so thin it wouldn’t feel hot). Another difference is density and activity: the troposphere is dense, contains most of the air and all weather, whereas the thermosphere is extremely thin, contains ionized gases that produce auroras, and is where many satellites orbit.

Directions: Please write 2 or 3 things you have learned from the article that you want to remember.

Answer 1

- I learned that all atmospheric layers are parts of the same envelope of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, and each layer is defined by an altitude range and a characteristic pattern (like how temperature changes) that marks its boundaries.
- I learned the troposphere is dense, contains most of the air and all weather, and temperature generally decreases with altitude.
- I learned the thermosphere is extremely thin, temperature increases with altitude (can get very high in terms of molecular energy but wouldn’t feel hot), contains ionized gases that cause auroras, and is where many satellites orbit.