Which atmospheric layer lies directly above the Troposphere?

Which atmospheric layer lies directly above the Troposphere?

• A. Troposphere
• B. Mesosphere
• C. Exosphere
• D. Stratosphere

Answer: (D)

Vertical arrangement of Earth’s atmospheric layers explains why the layer directly above the troposphere is the stratosphere. The boundary between them is the tropopause. Weather happens in the troposphere, and temperature generally decreases with height. In the stratosphere, temperature actually increases with altitude due to ozone absorbing UV radiation, creating a temperature inversion and added stability. This places the stratosphere above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The mesosphere lies above the stratosphere, and the exosphere is even higher, so they are not directly above the troposphere.

Vertical arrangement of Earth’s atmospheric layers explains why the layer directly above the troposphere is the stratosphere. The boundary between them is the tropopause. Weather happens in the troposphere, and temperature generally decreases with height. In the stratosphere, temperature actually increases with altitude due to ozone absorbing UV radiation, creating a temperature inversion and added stability. This places the stratosphere above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The mesosphere lies above the stratosphere, and the exosphere is even higher, so they are not directly above the troposphere.