ionosphere An ionized layer contained within the thermosphere; the second to the last
layer of the atmosphere.
mesopause The thin transition layer in the atmosphere, the boundary between the meso-
sphere and the thermosphere.
mesosphere The layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere;
temperature decreases with altitude.
ozone layer A layer of the stratosphere where ozone gas is more highly concentrated.
solar wind High-speed protons and electrons that fly through the solar system from the
Sun.
stratopause The thin transitional layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and
the mesosphere.
stratosphere The second layer of the atmosphere, where temperature increases with alti-
tude due the presence of ozone.
temperature gradient The change in temperature with distance.
thermosphere The second to the last layer of the atmosphere where gases are extremely
thinly distributed.
tropopause The thin transitional layer of the atmosphere between the troposphere and
the stratosphere.
troposphere The lowermost layer of the atmosphere.
ultraviolet radiationn High energy radiation that comes from the Sun; there are three
types of UV radiation, UVA, UVB and UVC. The shortest wavelength, and therefore
the most dangerous, is UVC.
Points to Consider
- How does solar energy create the atmosphere’s layers?
- How does solar energy create the weather?
- What would be the situation for life on Earth if there was less ozone in the ozone layer?