Question

In which layer do virtually all weather phenomena take place?

A. Troposphere

B. Mesosphere

C. Stratosphere

D. Thermosphere

Answer 1

Hint: Weather and its related phenomena are all dependent almost entirely on water vapor and its concentration. As we know, water vapour is present in the lowest layer of the atmosphere. Thus, the lowest layer is where all weather phenomena take place.

Complete step by step answer:

As we know, weather phenomena are caused due to the changes in the concentration of water vapour in air, and also due to air currents. When we examine the layers of the atmosphere, we find that the layer which contains all these factors is the troposphere. Thus, we can say that almost all known weather phenomena take place in the troposphere. 

Mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere, and is mainly responsible for burning off meteors that enter the earth’s atmosphere. Thus, it doesn’t have a role to play in determining weather.

The next option is the stratosphere, which is the second layer. This is where the ozone layer is present, and its main function is therefore, to block UV rays. Thus, it doesn’t play a role in weather changes.

The last option given is the thermosphere, which is the fourth layer. This layer too is mainly involved in absorbing the harmful UV rays from the sun, and gets heated up, leading to the expansion of the atmosphere. Thus, we can say that it doesn’t have a role to play in weather.

Since only the troposphere is where weather phenomena takes place

Therefore, the correct answer is  Option (A).

Additional information:

Almost all types of clouds too take birth in the troposphere. Due to the varying pressure differences of air in this layer, winds and currents are generated, which affect the weather profoundly. In the upper parts of the troposphere, swirls of air known as jet streams occur, and these help in the easy movement of aeroplanes and other aircrafts. The troposphere is of varying lengths at different points on earth: it ranges from about six kilometres at the poles to about sixteen kilometres at the equator.

Note: The troposphere also affects climatic variations and changes, like the El Nino effect, which brings in heavy rains. The troposphere is also the reason for keeping the earth warm, since it plays a major role in the greenhouse effect. The troposphere blocks the exit of reflected sunlight from the earth’s surface, thereby trapping the heat inside.