What is the Stratosphere?

• A. A layer of the atmosphere above the tropopause extending to a height of approximately 160,000 feet.
• B. The layer just below the troposphere.
• C. The outermost layer of the atmosphere.
• D. The ionized region surrounding Earth.

Answer: (A)

The Stratosphere is the atmospheric layer above the troposphere, beginning at the tropopause and extending up to about 50 kilometers (roughly 160,000 feet). In this layer the air is relatively stable and tends to have little vertical mixing; temperature actually rises with height because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation, warming the upper region. This description matches the statement that places the Stratosphere above the tropopause and to around 160,000 feet. It’s not below the troposphere, not the outermost layer (that would be the exosphere), and not the ionized region (the ionosphere).