Consider the following statements:1. The stratosphere has a higher con...
- Temperatures at the earth’s surface have increased by between 0.2 and 0.4 degrees C in the past 30 years.
- This warming trend is attributed to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases - CO2, methane, CFCs, and others - which warm both the earth’s surface and lower atmosphere by holding heat in. Most of the atmospheric greenhouse gases are concentrated in the upper troposphere. The lower stratosphere, approximately between six and 30 miles above the Earth’s surface, is mostly above the layer of greenhouse gases that trap heat. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- Temperatures decrease with altitude in the troposphere at a rate of about 6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer, depending on the weather. While in stratosphere, temperature increase with altitude. It is because the ozone layer absorbs the greater part of the solar ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer is an absorbing agent that protects life on Earth. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
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Consider the following statements:1. The stratosphere has a higher con...
Statement 1: The stratosphere has a higher concentration of greenhouse gases than the troposphere.
This statement is incorrect. The troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, contains the majority of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which is essential for maintaining Earth's temperature.
The concentration of greenhouse gases decreases with increasing altitude in the atmosphere. This is because greenhouse gases are primarily emitted near the surface of the Earth and are then mixed and distributed throughout the atmosphere. As we move higher up into the stratosphere, the concentration of greenhouse gases decreases significantly.
Statement 2: Unlike the troposphere, the stratosphere experiences higher temperatures with increasing altitude.
This statement is correct. In the troposphere, the temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude. This is because the troposphere is heated primarily from the Earth's surface, and as we move higher up, we are moving away from the source of heat.
However, in the stratosphere, the situation is different. The stratosphere is heated by the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun by ozone molecules. The presence of the ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs UV radiation and converts it into heat energy, leading to an increase in temperature with increasing altitude in the stratosphere.
This temperature inversion in the stratosphere is crucial for the stability and functioning of the ozone layer. It creates a temperature gradient that prevents the vertical mixing of air and keeps the ozone layer intact. The temperature inversion also prevents convection and inhibits the formation of clouds and weather systems in the stratosphere.
In summary, statement 1 is incorrect as the stratosphere has a lower concentration of greenhouse gases compared to the troposphere. Statement 2 is correct as the stratosphere experiences higher temperatures with increasing altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone molecules.
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