The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by
A)1 mb and 10 mb.
B)101 mb and 110 mb.
C)1001 mb and 1010 mb.
D)10001 mb and 10100 mb.
E)10101 mb and 11000 mb.

Question

The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by
A)1 mb and 10 mb.
B)101 mb and 110 mb.
C)​1001 mb and 1010 mb.
D)​10001 mb and 10100 mb.
E)​10101 mb and 11000 mb.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by 1 mb and 10 mb because this layer contains the tropopause, which is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere and is characterized by decreasing temperature with increasing altitude. The stratosphere is the layer above the troposphere and is characterized by increasing temperature with increasing altitude. The tropopause is the boundary between these two layers and is characterized by a sharp change in temperature gradient. This change in temperature gradient is caused by a change in the composition of the atmosphere, with the troposphere being composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen and the stratosphere being composed primarily of ozone. The change in composition causes a change in density, with the troposphere being denser than the stratosphere.

The Difference in Atmospheric Density Is Greatest in the Layer