Question

1. A, B, C and D are four layers of atmosphere. A helps in long-distance radio communications. In layer B, most of the weather phenomena take place. The pollutants released from air conditioners and aerosols deplete layer D which also gets depleted by nitrous oxide. Meteorites burn up in layer C. Identify the layers A, B, C and D and arrange them in an increasing order of height from the surface of the earth.

Answer 1

Part 1: Identifying layer A and B:

• It is given that layer A helps in long-distance radio communications. So this layer must be ionosphere or thermosphere because, in this layer, radio waves get easily reflected.
• This layer extends up to 690-950 km above the surface of the earth.
• It is given that in layer B, most of the weather phenomena take place. So this layer must be the troposphere.
• This layer extends up to 20 km above the surface of the earth.

Part 2: Identifying layer C and D:

• It is given that in layer C, meteorites burn up. So this layer must be mesosphere.
• This layer extends up to 85 km above the surface of the earth.
• It is given that the pollutants released from air conditioners and aerosols deplete layer D which also gets depleted by Nitrous oxide$\left({\mathrm{N}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$. So this layer must be stratosphere.
• This layer extends up to 50 km above the surface of the earth.

Hence,

• Layer A is the ionosphere or thermosphere.
• Layer B is the troposphere.
• Layer C is the mesosphere.
• Layer D is the stratosphere.

The increasing order of heights from the surface of the earth is B < D < C < A.