What is the basic structure of Earth's atmosphere?
A) single layer of smoothly decreasing temperature with increasing altitude
B) four layers of alternating temperature profiles: temperature decreasing, then increasing, then decreasing, then increasing with altitude
C) single layer of smoothly increasing temperature with increasing altitude
D) two layers: temperature decreasing with increasing altitude in the lower layer, then increasing with increasing altitude in the upper layer

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Earth's atmosphere is structured into four primary layers, each with distinct temperature gradients. These layers are the troposphere (temperature decreases with altitude), stratosphere (temperature increases with altitude), mesosphere (temperature decreases with altitude), and thermosphere (temperature increases with altitude), thus creating a pattern of alternating temperature profiles with altitude.

What Is the Basic Structure of Earth's Atmosphere