Why does the atmospheric temperature change in the stratosphere and thermosphere?
The stratosphere (12 to 50km) is the lower part of the stratosphere. The temperature remains fairly constant (-60 degrees Celsius). This layer contains the ozone layer. Ozone acts as a shield for in the earth’s surface. It absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This causes a temperature increase in the upper part of the layer. Thermosphere (80 km and up) is where he air is very thin. Thermosphere means “heat sphere”. The temperature is very high in this layer because ultraviolet radiation is turned into heat. Temperatures often reach 2000 degrees Celsius or more. This layer contains sub-layers: (1) Ionosphere, which is the lower part of the thermosphere. It extends from about 80 to 550 km. Gas particles absorb ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the sun. The particles of gas become electrically charged (ions). Radio waves are bounced off the ions and reflect waves back to earth. This generally helps radio communication. However, solar flares can increase the number of ions and ca
