Cheryl E. Merritt
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A. TROPOSPHERE—This layer is nearest the surface of the earth and most “weather” occurs here. It extends up about eight miles. In the troposphere the air mixed by vertical circulation. Therefore it is affected by the conditions near the surface. The air in the troposphere becomes warmer or cooler, drier or moister, as surface conditions change from day to day. The temperature falls between 0.65°C per 100 meters (3.5°F per 1000 feet).
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B. STRATOSPHERE—This layer extends from the tropopause (the top of the troposphere) to about 50 kilometers (30 miles). Here the air moves up and down very little. It is in layers or strata, so it is said to be stratified. The temperature is constant up to about 20 kilometers (12 miles) and then increases to stratopause.
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C. OZONOSPHERE—The ozone layer is a part of the stratosphere and extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers (6 to 30 miles), and the maximum concentration is about 5 parts per million at about 30 kilometers (18 miles). This tiny amount of ozone, which it itself lethal in higher concentrations, shields us from lethal ultraviolet radiation form the sun.
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D. MESOSPHERE——Above the stratopause is the mesosphere another zone of falling temperature that extends to about 85 kilometers (50 miles). The temperature at the mesosphere is about -85°C (-120°F).
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E. THERMOSPHERE—A zone of increasing temperature that extends several hundred kilometers. Temperatures reach very high, but has little meaning in this zone of very thin atmosphere.
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During December, 1952 episode in London the death rate is closely correlated the change in the atmosphere. There was an increase in mortality in all age groups but the highest increase was among the elderly. The main causes were chronic bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, and heart disease. It is quite evident that pollution causes acute respiratory and heart disease.
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*** The charts are arranged one above the other so that students from the below average range would be able to make simple comparisons.