Chapter 18, Problem 3E

The figure shows the three lowest regions of Earth’s atmosphere.

1. Name each and indicate the approximate elevations at which the boundaries occur.
2. In which region is ozone a pollutant? In which region does it filter UV solar radiation?
3. In which region in infrared radiation from Earth’s surface most strongly reflected back?
4. An aurora borealis is due to excitation of atoms and molecules in the atmosphere 55-95 km above Earth’s surface. Which regions in the figure are involved in an aurora borealis?
5. Compare the changes in relative concentrations of water vapor and carbon dioxide with increasing elevation in these three regions [Section 18.1].