What is the boundary between the first and second atmospheric layers called?

What is the boundary between the first and second atmospheric layers called?

• A. Stratopause
• B. Mesopause
• C. Interlayer
• D. Tropopause

Answer: (D)

The boundary between the troposphere (the first atmospheric layer) and the stratosphere (the second) is the tropopause. In the troposphere, temperature generally falls with height and weather phenomena—like clouds and storms—occur. Beyond this layer, in the stratosphere, temperature rises with height due to ozone absorbing ultraviolet radiation, creating a relatively stable layer that limits vertical mixing. The tropopause marks the abrupt change in how temperature changes with altitude, effectively acting as the ceiling to most weather processes. Its height varies with latitude and season, typically around 8–12 km in higher latitudes and higher—often up to about 16–18 km—in the tropics.

The boundary between the troposphere (the first atmospheric layer) and the stratosphere (the second) is the tropopause. In the troposphere, temperature generally falls with height and weather phenomena—like clouds and storms—occur. Beyond this layer, in the stratosphere, temperature rises with height due to ozone absorbing ultraviolet radiation, creating a relatively stable layer that limits vertical mixing. The tropopause marks the abrupt change in how temperature changes with altitude, effectively acting as the ceiling to most weather processes. Its height varies with latitude and season, typically around 8–12 km in higher latitudes and higher—often up to about 16–18 km—in the tropics.