- #1
jamesb-uk
- 69
- 0
Why is the air colder in the upper atmosphere?
bucher said:The air is colder in the upper atmosphere because of fewer air molecules (e.g. oxygen and nitrogen). These molecules all have their own energy in the forms of translational, rotational, and vibrational energy. With fewer air molecules, there is less energy that can be transferred to other molecules in the form of heat. With less heat, temperatures are colder.
bucher said:The air is colder in the upper atmosphere because of fewer air molecules (e.g. oxygen and nitrogen). These molecules all have their own energy in the forms of translational, rotational, and vibrational energy. With fewer air molecules, there is less energy that can be transferred to other molecules in the form of heat. With less heat, temperatures are colder.
SW VandeCarr said:I haven't heard that explanation before, but it could be one factor. The major factor is that the atmosphere is heated from the ground up. Solar radiation passes through the atmosphere without much direct heating of the atmosphere (especially colder dryer air). It heats the Earth's surface which in turn heats the air above it. Also descending air is heated due to compression at lower elevations according to Boyle's Law. Surfaces with high albedo such as snow or ice, reflect much of the solar radiation which in turn tends to sustain cold air masses over such surfaces.
Pinu7 said:Actually, a lost of that reflected heat is insulated in the lower troposphere.
Also, in the stratosphere, temperature actually increases with altitude.
The temperature decreases as altitude increases in the upper atmosphere because of the decrease in air pressure. As you move higher in the atmosphere, the air becomes less dense, meaning there are fewer air molecules to absorb and retain heat. This results in a decrease in temperature.
The Earth's tilt has a significant impact on the temperature in the upper atmosphere. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to seasonal temperature changes. The tilt also affects the angle at which sunlight hits the Earth's surface, resulting in variations in temperature at different latitudes.
Yes, the upper atmosphere is generally colder than the lower atmosphere. This is because the lower atmosphere is closer to the Earth's surface, which receives heat from the sun and the Earth's internal heat. In contrast, the upper atmosphere is further away from these heat sources and is also less dense, causing it to be colder.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, play a crucial role in regulating the temperature of the upper atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping into space. This leads to an overall increase in temperature in the upper atmosphere, which is known as the greenhouse effect.
The ozone layer plays a critical role in regulating the temperature in the upper atmosphere. It acts as a shield, absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which would otherwise heat up the upper atmosphere. The ozone layer helps maintain a stable temperature in the upper atmosphere, protecting both living organisms and the Earth's surface from excessive heat.