What are the main characteristics that scientists use to divide Earth’s atmosphere into layers?(1 point)
Responses
elevation and pressure
elevation and pressure
amount of ozone and amount of other gases
amount of ozone and amount of other gases
temperature and composition
temperature and composition
amount of cloud cover and amount of rain
temperature and composition
The main characteristics that scientists use to divide Earth's atmosphere into layers are temperature and composition.
The main characteristics that scientists use to divide Earth's atmosphere into layers are temperature and composition. To determine the different layers of the atmosphere, scientists analyze the variations in temperature and the types and amounts of gases present at different elevations.
First, let's discuss temperature. The temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude in the lower region of the atmosphere known as the troposphere. This is called the lapse rate. Above the troposphere, the temperature starts to increase again in a layer called the stratosphere due to the absorption of intense ultraviolet radiation by ozone molecules.
Secondly, composition is an important factor in distinguishing the atmospheric layers. The different layers of the atmosphere have varying concentrations of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ozone. For example, the troposphere contains the majority of the Earth's weather and is abundant in water vapor, while the stratosphere has a significant amount of ozone.
By analyzing the temperature profile and gas composition, scientists can divide the atmosphere into distinct layers like the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. So, the correct answer is temperature and composition.