2A.6

Q. What are the names for the various levels of the atmosphere and of
what significance are they?

A. The atmosphere is divided up into layers with names which describe
the dynamic or thermal structure of that particular layer. The two
layers which are of most interest to us are the troposphere and the
stratosphere.

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It was the overall height of this layer I was thinking about in an
earlier post. Why is it maintained depite everything going on in it?

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Troposphe (overturning or changing sphere)

The lowest layer of the atmosphere. Positive lapse of temperature
(positive lapse rate: temperature overall decrease with height). It is
the most important for operational meteorology, as this layer contains
almost all the water vapour, and by far the greatest part of the mass of
the atmosphere.

Because of its mean thermal structure, it is the region of greatest
vertical motion (up and down) in the atmosphere, even without the help
of vigorous thunderstorm complexes, which in themselves may occupy the
entire depth of the troposphere.

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There is some research going on now to try and understand that last bit.

I wouldn't mind knowing myself. I'd better start making some blind
guesses in order to beat them to it.

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At some level, there is usually an abrupt change in the lapse rate from
positive (decrease with height), to isothermal (no change), or a slight
rise. This level is the tropopause.

Typical heights of the tropopause, and therefore thickness of the
troposphere, a

High arctic/antarctic latitudes: 6 to 8 km (20000-25000 ft)
On/near the equator: 16 to 18 km (50000-60000 ft)

Let's use English in this thread can we?

*****************

High arctic/antarctic latitudes: 4 or 5 miles (20000-25000 ft)
On/near the equator: 10 or 12 miles (50000-60000 ft)

*****************

In mid-latitudes, the temperate zone, which is of most interest to us in
NW Europe, the tropopause is highly variable, from cold to warm season,
and from cold to warm air mass. For example, it is lower in winter, and
in cold/polar air masses (typically 5 to 6 miles /25000 to 30000 ft),
than in high summer, and in warm/sub tropical air masses (typically 7 to
9 miles /35000 to 45000 ft)

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Temperate no relation to the word tempest is it?

Seriously though, it is the behaviour of water that interests me. It is
lighter than air in air so what keeps it in the lower regions?

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Stratosphe (the 'layered' sphere)

The next layer ascending through the atmosphere.

Isothermal or negative lapse rate of temperature (i.e the temperatures
rises with increasing height).

*****************

# Of, relating to, or indicating equal or constant temperatures.
# Of or designating changes of pressure and volume at constant
temperature.

*****************

(Just thought I'd throw that one in there.)

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Because of this temperature structure, little natural, or un-forced
overturning of air takes place, either within the stratosphere, or in
exchange with the troposphere.

*****************

There, you see; glossed over the important bit.

"Because of this temperature structure ...." how does it get this
stability?

Obviously due to the physics of water. At a certain unalterable point,
the water/vapour interaction has to end. I suppose that is taken as
read?

*****************

Once gases, particulates etc., penetrate to this layer, they remain
there for very long periods, hence the concern regarding such substances
due to both the actions of mankind (e.g. CFC's) and those of natural
processes (e.g. volcanic ash).

*****************

So how do these get there? Or is the tropopause just a margin that
exists for the barrier to water?

How very biblcal.

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However, near the boundary with the troposphere (q.v.), marked vertical
motion can occur under certain circumstances (forced by jet-stream
actions), which are important in driving developments in the
troposphere.

*****************

Any chance there is a link to the clusters I am interested in affecting
these changes?

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As with the troposphere, the stratosphere varies in thickness, but as an
average figure the top of this layer, the stratopause, occurs around
29-31 miles (148000-158000 ft).

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That's some distance.

In there ice becomes deliquescent I imagine. (Or could.)

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The importance of the stratosphere (and the primary reason for its
temperature structure) is that much of the atmospheric ozone is found
within its lower layers - circa 11 to 19 miles amsl.

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AMSL:
Above Mean Sea Level
Also:
Approved Materials Substitution List

(I liked that one.)

*****************

The selective absorption by ozone (and oxygen) of solar ultra-violet
radiation leads to warming in the stratosphere - this (and other)
factors give rise to its markedly stable nature. Very little water
vapour is found here, nor dust (except for dust injected by major
volcanic eruptions), but when the stratosphere is anomalously cold, then
Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC's) are sometimes visible.

*****************

Going off on another tangent once more, why is the sky blue?

It aught to be green aughtn't it? That is the colour of ozone. Or is the
gas colourless?



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Sorry Michael I missed that, could you run through it again?

"lawrence Jenkins" wrote in message


Sorry Michael I missed that, could you run through it again?

Yes.


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"Michael Mcneil" wrote in message
news:a4eae83875c823500feb6c5b99a595de.45219@mygate .mailgate.org

1:

Going off on another tangent once more, why is the sky blue?

It aught to be green aughtn't it? That is the colour of ozone. Or is the
gas colourless?

Oxygen in solution with nitrogen at some low temperature or another is
bluish if I remember corectly.

Or was it green?

But that was for liquids.


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