Look at the following image of the layers of the Earth's atmosphere and the temperature gradient within these layers.Which of the following statements is true of the atmospheric temperatures?
A) The temperature consistently increases with altitude from the troposphere to the thermosphere.
B) The temperature consistently decreases with altitude from the troposphere to the thermosphere.
C) The temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere but increases with altitude in the stratosphere.
D) The temperature of the atmosphere varies with no respect to altitude or atmospheric layer.

Question

Look at the following image of the layers of the Earth's atmosphere and the temperature gradient within these layers.Which of the following statements is true of the atmospheric temperatures? 
A) The temperature consistently increases with altitude from the troposphere to the thermosphere. 
B) The temperature consistently decreases with altitude from the troposphere to the thermosphere. 
C) The temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere but increases with altitude in the stratosphere. 
D) The temperature of the atmosphere varies with no respect to altitude or atmospheric layer.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere due to the decrease in pressure and the increase in distance from the heat source (Earth's surface). However, in the stratosphere, the temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone. Beyond the stratosphere, the temperature decreases again as the distance from the heat source increases.

Look at the Following Image of the Layers of the Earth's