Earth Science: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

The Atmosphere

First, have a look at this crazy video of one man's trip through the atmosphere.

Read the background essay, then view this interactive activity about the atmosphere. Answer these discussion questions:

1. Why are the four major layers of the atmosphere separated where they are?

2. What increases the temperature in the stratosphere?

3. Can planes fly in the mesosphere? Why or why not?

4. On what does the temperature in the thermosphere depend?