Ozone layer found in the atmosphere within
- AOption (a)
100 - 200 km
- BOption (b)
50 - 100 km
- COption (c)
10 - 50 km
- DOption (d)
10 - 30 km
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Correct answer
10 - 50 km
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is 10 - 50 km.
Key Points
- The ozone layer is a natural layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that protects humans and other living things from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
- The ozone layer is typically thicker over the poles than over the equator.
- The ozone layer exists in the stratosphere, a layer 10 to 50 km above the Earth’s surface.
- The reasons for ozone depletion are a wide range of industrial and consumer applications, mainly refrigerators, air conditioners (hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)), and fire extinguishers.
- Ozone depletion is greatest at the South Pole (Antarctica).
Important Points
- Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, these layers have named the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, Ionosphere, and exosphere.
- Troposphere:
- The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere.
- Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km above sea level.
- Humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer.
- Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere.
- Stratosphere:
- The next layer up is called the stratosphere.
- The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km above the ground.
- The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere.
- Commercial passenger jets fly in the lower stratosphere, partly because this less-turbulent layer provides a smoother ride.
- Mesosphere:
- Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere.
- It extends upward to a height of about 85 km above our planet.
- Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere.
- The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90° C (-130° F), are found near the top of this layer.
- Thermosphere:
- The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere.
- The thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometers high.
- High-energy X-rays and UV radiation from the Sun are absorbed in the thermosphere.
- Raising its temperature to hundreds or at times thousands of degrees.
- Many satellites actually orbit Earth within the thermosphere.
- The aurora, the Northern Lights, and Southern Lights occur in the thermosphere.
- Exosphere:
- This is the upper limit of our atmosphere.
- It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.