Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
Explanation
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five distinct layers based on temperature changes and composition. These layers, arranged in ascending order from the Earth's surface, are as follows:
- Troposphere: This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending up to approximately 13 km (varying from 8 km at the poles to 18 km at the equator). Almost all weather phenomena, such as rainfall, fog, and hailstorms, occur in this layer.
- Stratosphere: Lying above the troposphere, this layer extends up to a height of 50 km. It is characterized by the presence of the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is also the preferred layer for flying jet aircraft due to the absence of turbulence and weather disturbances.
- Mesosphere: This layer extends from the top of the stratosphere up to 80 km. It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere, where meteorites burn up upon entering from space.
- Thermosphere: Located above the mesosphere, extending up to 400 km. In this layer, temperature rises rapidly with increasing height. It contains the ionosphere, which facilitates radio communication by reflecting radio waves back to Earth.
- Exosphere: The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, extending beyond the thermosphere. It has extremely rarefied air, consisting primarily of light gases like helium and hydrogen floating into space.
Key Takeaway: The vertical structure of the atmosphere, from the surface upwards, follows the sequence: Troposphere → Stratosphere → Mesosphere → Thermosphere → Exosphere.