Answer :
The layers of a planetary atmosphere are defined by temperature changes with altitude, including the troposphere where temperature decreases with altitude, the stratosphere with the ozone layer where temperature increases, and the mesosphere where temperature decreases again.
The layers of terrestrial planetary atmospheres are defined by how temperature alternates with altitude. The layers include the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere, along with other higher layers such as the thermosphere and exosphere.
- The troposphere is where weather occurs, and it features a decrease in temperature with altitude due to the fact that it is heated from the Earth's surface upwards, causing the air to cool as it rises.
- The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs ultraviolet radiation, causing a temperature increase with altitude in this layer.
- The mesosphere sees a decrease in temperature with altitude once again as the air is quite thin, and there are fewer gas molecules to absorb the Sun's radiation.
While the atmosphere does get colder with increasing altitude in the troposphere and mesosphere, the stratosphere and thermosphere experience a temperature inversion due to absorption of solar radiation. The atmosphere can indeed be divided into different layers, and it eventually thins out until it merges with outer space, marking the end of the atmosphere.
