5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) • WEATHER
SCIENCE
1. Construct the layers of the atmosphere based on the data you’re given below. Scientists know
that there are four different layers. Use the information in the data chart below to draw how you
think the layers are structured.
Layer of the
Boundary
Width of
Average
Atmosphere
Distance from
Layer
Temperature of
Earth
Layer
Troposphere
17 km
17 km
57 F
Mesosphere
85 km
34 km
-85 F
Stratosphere
51 km
34 km
-76 F
Thermosphere
690 km
605 km
450 F
Based on the data in the information table above, with your partner, diagram the layers of the
atmosphere.
1) Place the layers in the correct order
2) Draw the layers with the right width (relative to the other layers).
3) Label each layer.
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Earth
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Regents Earth Science
9th Grade
2
SCIENCE
5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) • WEATHER
Mini-Lesson:
The envelope of gas surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. There are four main layers of
the atmosphere, each of which varies in temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration
(humidity).
The first layer of the atmosphere, the TROPOSPHERE, is closest to Earth. This is where
weather occurs.
The second layer of the atmosphere, the STRATOSPHERE, is above the troposphere. The
troposphere and stratosphere are separated by what is called the Tropopause. The stratosphere is
where the Ozone Layer is located.
The third layer of the atmosphere, the MESOSPHERE, is separated from the stratosphere below
it by the Stratopause. Shooting stars burn up in the mesosphere.
The fourth layer of the atmosphere, the THERMOSPHERE, is separated from the mesosphere
below it by the Mesopause.
The atmospheric layers are shown in your Earth Science Reference Tables. The graph indicates altitude
(elevation) on the y-axis and then shows temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration
along the x-axis. X`
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5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) • WEATHER
SCIENCE
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Example 1: What is the altitude of the stratosphere?
Step 1: Find “Stratosphere”
Step 2: Find the dotted line marking the “Tropopause” –
this is the bottom of the Stratosphere
Step 3: Find the dotted line marking the “Stratopause” –
this is the top of the Stratosphere
Step 4: Follow the dotted lines over to the y-axis. The
stratosphere occupies the shaded area at right.
Answer: The stratosphere begins at about _________________ and ends at about _________________
Example 2: What is the temperature range of the mesosphere?
Step 1: Find “Mesosphere”
Step 2: Find the dotted line marking the “Stratopause” – this is the
bottom of the Mesosphere
Step 3: Find the dotted line marking the “Mesopause” – this is the top
of the Mesosphere
Step 4: Use the temperature graph to determine the lowest and highest
temperatures on the x-axis
Answer: The mesosphere ranges between __________________ and ________________
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9th Grade
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5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) • WEATHER
SCIENCE
Example 3: What is the pressure range of the troposphere?
Step 1: Find “Troposphere”
Step 2: Find the dotted line marking the “Tropopause” – this
is the top of the Troposphere
Step 3: Find the solid line marking sea level – this is the
bottom of the Troposphere
Step 4: Use the pressure graph to determine the lowest and
highest pressures on the x-axis
Answer: The troposphere ranges between __________________ and ________________
Example 4: Which temperature zone of Earth's atmosphere contains the most water
vapor?
1. mesosphere
3. thermosphere
2. stratosphere
4. troposphere
Example 5: What is the relationship between altitude and the following variables:
Altitude and Temperature: ____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Altitude and Pressure: _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Altitude and Water Vapor (Humidity): ___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Regents Earth Science
9th Grade
5
5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) • WEATHER
SCIENCE
Independent Practice:
1. Ozone is concentrated in Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 20 to 35 kilometers.
Which atmospheric layer contains the greatest concentration of ozone?
1. mesosphere
3. troposphere
2. thermosphere
4. stratosphere
2. An air temperature of 95°C most often exists in which layer of the atmosphere?
1. troposphere
3. mesosphere
2. stratosphere
4. thermosphere
3. In which layer of Earth's atmosphere is the pressure inferred to be 1.0 atmospheres?
1. troposphere
3. mesosphere
2. stratosphere
4. thermosphere
4. If the base of a cloud is located at an altitude of 2 kilometers and the top of the cloud
is located at an altitude of 8 kilometers, this cloud is located in the
1. troposphere, only
3. troposphere and stratosphere
2. stratosphere, only
4. stratosphere and mesosphere
5. What is the temperature range in the Troposphere: __________°C to __________°C
6. In the Troposphere, does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude?
Answer: _________________________________
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5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) • WEATHER
SCIENCE
7. At what altitude, in miles, does the Thermosphere begin? __________ mi
8. One of the lowest layers of Earth's atmosphere has undergone a large increase in temperature
due to the presence of greenhouse gases. State the name of this temperature-zone layer.
Answer: _______________________________________
9. A spaceship takes off in Houston, Texas headed for the planet Mars. List the four layers of
Earth’s atmosphere through which it will move, in order beginning with the closest layer.
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________
10. In which two atmospheric layers is the temperature generally increasing?
__________________________________ and ___________________________________
11. What temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration would you expect to see in the
Stratopause?
__________________°C, ________________ atm, _______________ g/m3
12. Based on what the graph tells you about water vapor concentration, why do you think weather
occurs only in the Troposphere?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Regents Earth Science
9th Grade
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