The atmosphere is comprised of various zones. The troposphere is the lowest layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, while the stratosphere resides just above the troposphere or the second layer of the atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- The troposphere extends from the Earth’s surface to about 8-15 kilometers and contains most of the planet’s weather. The stratosphere ranges from the top of the troposphere to about 50 kilometers in altitude.
- The temperature decreases with height in the troposphere but increases with altitude in the stratosphere due to the ozone layer’s absorption of UV radiation.
- The stratosphere has relatively stable, calm air with minimal vertical mixing, whereas the troposphere experiences turbulence, convection, and various weather patterns.
Troposphere vs Stratosphere
The difference between the troposphere and stratosphere is that the troposphere is the first atmospheric layer that can extend to nearly 10 km as the average height.
The troposphere is the first zone of the atmosphere while heading towards the universe and comprises water vapour and winds. The temperature in this layer will decrease with an increase in height or altitude.
The stratosphere is one of the essential atmospheric layers in which the ozone layer exists, protecting the Earth from the sun’s harmful radiation. This layer is comprised of ozone gas and extends to nearly 50 km. There is no atmospheric disturbance in this layer.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Troposphere | Stratosphere |
|---|---|---|
| Height | This layer is dry as it does not hold any water vapour and clouds | It is regarded as the non-convective zone of the Earth’s atmosphere |
| Temperature | This atmospheric zone has a height of nearly 8-18 km. | This layer has abundant moisture as it contains water vapour and clouds |
| Humidity | This layer is dry as it does not hold any water vapor and clouds | This atmospheric layer can be extended to a size of 50km |
| Clouds | It contains abundant clouds | It is considered a zone of the convection current |
| Convection Current | It is believed the non-convective zone of the Earth’s atmosphere | It is believed as the non-convective area of the Earth’s atmosphere |
| Atmospheric Disturbance | The disturbance of the atmosphere is confined to this layer | There is no atmospheric disturbance in this layer |
What is Troposphere?
The Earth’s atmosphere is comprised of various layers at different altitudes. The troposphere comprises multiple gases and carries more than half of the atmosphere’s mass.
The troposphere plays a significant role in the water cycle of the earth. The water cycle starts when water is pulled by the sun through evaporation, and this takes place in this layer of the atmosphere.
The troposphere is responsible for providing weather to the people living on Earth. Three significant characteristics of this layer include clouds, weather, and temperature gradient.
What is Stratosphere?
The stratosphere is called the second-lowest layer of the atmosphere in which the ozone layer is located. This layer is mainly comprised of ozone gas.
The layer has negligible weather disturbance with the gentle movement of the air. The stratosphere is considered convenient for the pilot to fly the planes because it has minimal disruption by air movement and clouds.
The temperature in this layer changes with changes in the season. It is an essential atmospheric layer between the mesosphere and troposphere.
Main Differences Between Troposphere and Stratosphere
- The troposphere and stratosphere are the atmospheric zone of the earth that exists one over another. The troposphere is the atmospheric zone of the planet that can extend from 8-18kms. On the contrary, the stratosphere can be extended to a height of 50km.
- Troposphere and stratosphere vary from each other in temperature, which directly affects changes in altitude. In the troposphere, the temperature decreases with an increase in height or altitude. On the contrary, in the stratosphere, the temperature increases with altitude.
- The troposphere is responsible for maintaining weather on the earth and comprises water vapour and various gases, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and other gases. Due to the presence of water vapour and clouds, the troposphere has abundant moisture. But the stratosphere, on the other side, is comparatively dry as it does not contain water vapour and clouds, excluding the poles areas.
- Atmospheric disturbance is quite common, caused by the change in air movement and other factors. The troposphere is confined or constricted by the disturbance of the atmosphere. Still, the stratosphere, on the other side, does not have any atmospheric disturbance as it has horizontal air movement and no clouds.
- The convection current occurred in the troposphere layer of the atmosphere, but the stratosphere zone on the other side is considered the non-convective zone of the earth’s atmosphere.
References
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1034/j.1600-0870.1995.t01-1-00008.x
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.2153-3490.1962.tb01349.x
Last Updated : 04 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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