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The thermosphere is heated by solar radiation particularly in the far ultraviolet range; much of this is filtered out by the atmosphere's lower layers - but in the these upper regions it is more exposed to this kind of radiation.

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J Jordan

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Where does the two layers of the thermosphere meet?

The thermosphere is divided into two main layers: the lower thermosphere and the upper thermosphere. These layers meet at an altitude of approximately 500 to 1,000 kilometers above Earth's surface, where the temperature and density of the atmosphere change significantly. This boundary is not sharply defined, as the transition between the layers occurs gradually due to variations in solar activity and other atmospheric conditions.


Why does the thermosphere have the highest temperature out of all the atmosphere levels?

The thermosphere has the highest temperatures in the atmosphere due to its absorption of high-energy solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet and X-ray radiation. This energy excites the sparse gas molecules present in this layer, causing their kinetic energy—and thus temperature—to increase significantly. Additionally, the thermosphere is less dense than lower atmospheric layers, allowing energy to accumulate without being dissipated by collisions with other molecules. As a result, temperatures can soar to over 2,500 degrees Celsius (4,500 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher.


What is the other name for thermosphere?

There is no other name for the thermosphere.


How much thicker is the thermosphere to all layers combined?

The thermosphere is significantly thicker than all the other layers of the Earth's atmosphere combined. While the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere together extend up to about 60 miles (100 kilometers) above the Earth's surface, the thermosphere can extend from around 50 miles (80 kilometers) to over 400 miles (640 kilometers) high, depending on solar activity. This makes the thermosphere considerably thicker than the combined height of the lower atmospheric layers.


How much thicker is thermosphere compared to all the other layers combined?

The thermosphere is significantly thicker than all the other layers of the Earth's atmosphere combined. It extends from about 85 kilometers (53 miles) above the Earth's surface to around 600 kilometers (373 miles) or more, depending on solar activity. In contrast, the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere below it together have a combined thickness of roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles). Thus, the thermosphere is several times thicker than the sum of the lower atmospheric layers.

Related Questions

Where does the two layers of the thermosphere meet?

The thermosphere is divided into two main layers: the lower thermosphere and the upper thermosphere. These layers meet at an altitude of approximately 500 to 1,000 kilometers above Earth's surface, where the temperature and density of the atmosphere change significantly. This boundary is not sharply defined, as the transition between the layers occurs gradually due to variations in solar activity and other atmospheric conditions.


Atmosphere layers are distinguished by what?

Atmosphere layers are distinguished by changes in temperature with altitude. The five main layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere, each characterized by distinct temperature profiles and atmospheric phenomena. These layers have different compositions, densities, and interactions with solar radiation and other factors.


Why does the thermosphere have the highest temperature out of all the atmosphere levels?

The thermosphere has the highest temperatures in the atmosphere due to its absorption of high-energy solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet and X-ray radiation. This energy excites the sparse gas molecules present in this layer, causing their kinetic energy—and thus temperature—to increase significantly. Additionally, the thermosphere is less dense than lower atmospheric layers, allowing energy to accumulate without being dissipated by collisions with other molecules. As a result, temperatures can soar to over 2,500 degrees Celsius (4,500 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher.


Scientists divide earths atmosphere into four main layers classified according to changes in?

temperature and other properties. These layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Each layer has distinct characteristics and plays a unique role in Earth's atmospheric processes.


What kind of layers include the mesosphere?

The mesosphere is an atmospheric layer, which can also be considered a collection of layers. The mesosphere lies above the stratosphere but below the thermosphere, the other two "middle" layers of the atmosphere.


What is the other name for thermosphere?

There is no other name for the thermosphere.


How much thicker is the thermosphere to all layers combined?

The thermosphere is significantly thicker than all the other layers of the Earth's atmosphere combined. While the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere together extend up to about 60 miles (100 kilometers) above the Earth's surface, the thermosphere can extend from around 50 miles (80 kilometers) to over 400 miles (640 kilometers) high, depending on solar activity. This makes the thermosphere considerably thicker than the combined height of the lower atmospheric layers.


What are the different types of atmosphere?

The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five different layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Each layer varies in temperature, composition, and altitude. Additionally, atmospheres can vary on other planets and moons, such as Mars, Venus, and Titan, based on their unique compositions and conditions.


How much thicker is thermosphere compared to all the other layers combined?

The thermosphere is significantly thicker than all the other layers of the Earth's atmosphere combined. It extends from about 85 kilometers (53 miles) above the Earth's surface to around 600 kilometers (373 miles) or more, depending on solar activity. In contrast, the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere below it together have a combined thickness of roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles). Thus, the thermosphere is several times thicker than the sum of the lower atmospheric layers.


What 2 layers of the atmosphere are hottest?

The first hottest layer is the Thermosphere because it is near space and closest to the sun. The other hot layer is the __________ (please answer if you know).


What layer of the atmosphere increases in temperature?

The Thermosphere is where the temperature can reach 2700oF (1500oC) due to the high kinetic energy of the particles. However, there are very few particles so that even though the temperature is high, there is actually very little heat; this is a technical paradox caused by the way we define temperature and heat. In other words, a person would freeze to death in the Thermosphere even though the temperature is over 1000 degrees; go figure. The only part of the Earth's atmosphere that has significant heat is the Troposphere near the Earth's surface.THERMOSPHERE


Why does the thermosphere have the highest temperature of all the atmosphere layers?

It is affected most directly by the suns radiation