1. Troposphere: 0–10 km; Stratosphere: 10–50 km; Mesosphere: 50–80 km; Thermosphere: 80–700 km; Exosphere: 700–10,000 km
2.
- Jet stream: Stratosphere
- Aurora Borealis: Thermosphere
- Ozone Layer: Stratosphere
- Space Shuttle Orbit: Thermosphere
- Weather: Troposphere
- Meteors burn up: Mesosphere
- Where most satellites orbit: Thermosphere
- Where weather balloons burst: Stratosphere
- Where commercial jets fly: Stratosphere
- Where the International Space Station orbits: Thermosphere
- Where the Hubble Space Telescope orbits: Thermosphere
- Where the Northern Lights occur: Thermosphere
3. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere and is separated by distinct temperature changes. It contains most of the atmosphere’s mass and almost all weather phenomena. Temperature generally decreases with altitude in this layer.
4. Clouds are generally observed to form in the troposphere because it contains nearly all of the atmosphere’s water vapor and is where most weather occurs. The temperature gradient and availability of moisture support cloud formation here.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of layers of the atmosphere worksheet.
