Sample Answer
Introduction
The troposphere is the lowermost layer of the atmosphere extending roughly to a height of 8 km near the poles and about 18 km at the equator. All changes in climate and weather take place in this layer.
Body
Troposphere and weather process:
- Troposphere contains 80% of the mass and most of the water vapor in the atmosphere, and consequently most of the clouds and stormy weather.
- Tropospheric processes, such as the water or hydrologic cycle (the formation of clouds and rain) and the greenhouse effect, have a great influence on meteorology and the climate.
- The lower levels of the troposphere (planetary boundary) are usually strongly influenced by Earth’s surface. In this layer, surface influences temperature, moisture, and wind velocity through the turbulent transfer of mass. This layer is known for vertical and horizontal mixture of winds
- The temperature in troposphere decreases at the rate of 6.5°C/Km of height. The rising air parcel cools with adiabatic lapse rate and reaches the point of saturation. The latent heat of condensation released further pushes the air parcel upwards. After condensation, precipitation starts.
- Uneven heating of the Earth by the sun causes convection currents in this layer of the atmosphere, which is large scale pattern of winds that move heat and moisture around the planet.
- Presence of water vapour in this region traps the terrestrial radiation and warms the atmosphere which in turn affects humidity levels.
Conclusion
Troposphere thus is an important layer in Earth’s Atmosphere, as it is the layer that we live in and the layer that gives us weather.