Use the following key to answer each riddle about characteristics of
layers of the Earth’s atmosphere:
A – Mesosphere
B – Stratosphere
C – Sea Level
D – Thermosphere
E – Troposphere
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
I am where most of the weather occurs. Who am I?
I protect you from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Without
me, you would more easily get sunburned, skin cancer, and
cataracts. Where am I?
I extend from an altitude from 50 to 80 km, and I am
considered the middle layer. Who am I?
I am the layer that touches the surface of the earth. Who am I?
I protect earth from meteoroids. Who am I?
I extend to an average altitude of 12 km. Who am I?
My temperature may reach as high as 2000C, the hottest of
any layer. Who am I?
I am the location of the highest air pressure. Where am I?
I contain the ozone layer. Who am I?
I am the layer that reaches the highest altitude. Who am I?
I am the layer that is divided into 2 sub-layers. Who am I?
I am the layer that astronauts go through first when re-entering
the earth’s atmosphere from space. Who am I?
There are two of me: as our altitude increases, our temperature
decreases. Who are we? (must include BOTH answers)
14. How are layers of the atmosphere classified?
a. Changes in temperature.
b. Changes in altitude.
c. Changes in air pressure.
d. Changes in gasses.