Question

identifying the layers of the atmosphere
use the drop - down menus to complete each sentence about the layers of the atmosphere.
if the
did not exist, earth might be destroyed by chunks of rock from space.
the
is located 12 to 50 kilometers from earths surface.
both the
get colder as altitude increases.
the ozone in the
protects people from ultraviolet (uv) radiation.
the
as the highest temperature of any layer in earths atmosphere.
thermosphere
stratosphere
troposphere

Explanation:

1. Most incoming space debris burns up in the lower atmospheric layers, primarily the mesosphere, but from the given options, the troposphere is the lowest layer where initial friction and heating of small space rocks occurs.
2. The stratosphere sits directly above the troposphere (0-12km) and extends to ~50km above Earth's surface.
3. In the troposphere, temperature decreases with altitude at a standard rate, as it is heated from the ground.
4. The ozone layer, a concentration of ozone molecules, is located within the stratosphere, absorbing harmful UV radiation.
5. The thermosphere absorbs high-energy solar radiation, leading to the highest recorded temperatures (up to 2,000°C) of any atmospheric layer.

Answer:

1. If the troposphere (and its associated lower atmosphere/meteor burn layer, specifically the mesosphere which is the primary barrier, but from the given options, the troposphere is part of the lower layers where most space rocks burn; correction: the relevant layer here that burns space debris is the mesosphere, but since it's not listed, the intended answer from the options is troposphere) did not exist, Earth might be destroyed by chunks of rock from space.
2. The stratosphere is located 12 to 50 kilometers from Earth's surface.
3. Both the troposphere get colder as altitude increases.
4. The ozone in the stratosphere protects people from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
5. The thermosphere has the highest temperature of any layer in Earth's atmosphere.