COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE

C
The atmosphere is composed of gases, water vapour and

PS
dust particles. The proportion of gases changes in the

U
higher layers of the atmosphere in such a way that oxygen

F
O
will be almost in negligible quantity at the height of 120 km.

S
Similarly, carbon dioxide and water vapour are found only

ET
up to 90 km from the surface of the earth.
C
FA
 TRUST ME IN THE EXAM

The column of

C
atmosphere is divided

PS
into five different layers

U
F
depending upon the

O
temperature condition.

S
ET
They are: troposphere,
C
FA
stratosphere,
mesosphere,
thermosphere and
exosphere.
Troposphere:
Its average height is 13 km and extends roughly to a height of 8 km near the
poles and about 18 km at the equator. Thickness of the troposphere is greatest
at the equator because heat is transported to great heights by strong

C
convectional currents.

PS
U
The temperature in the troposphere decreases with height.

F
It is the densest atmospheric layer, compressed by the weight of the rest of

O
the atmosphere above it.

S
ET
Most of Earth’s weather happens here, and almost all clouds that are
generated by weather are found here.
C
FA
The temperature in this layer decreases at the rate of 1°C for every 165m of
height. This is the most important layer for all biological activity.
The zone separating the tropsophere from stratosphere is known as the
tropopause. The air temperature at the tropopause is about minus 80 degree C
over the equator and about minus 45 C over the poles.
Stratosphere:
Stratosphere is the home to Earth’s ozone layer.

C
In this region, the temperature increases with height.

PS
Heat is produced in the process of the formation of

U
F
Ozone, and this heat is responsible for temperature

O
increase.

S
ET
It’s also the highest part of the atmosphere that jet
C
FA
planes can reach.
The mesosphere lies above the stratosphere, which
extends up to a height of 80 km. In this layer, once again,
temperature starts decreasing with the increase in altitude

C
PS
and reaches up to minus 100°C at the height of 80 km.

U
The upper limit of mesosphere is known as the

F
O
mesopause.

S
ET
C
FA
The ionosphere contains electrically charged
particles known as ions, and hence, it is known as

C
ionosphere. Radio waves transmitted from the earth

PS
are reflected back to the earth by this layer.

U
F
Temperature here starts increasing with height. The

O
S
uppermost layer of the atmosphere above the

ET
thermosphere is known as the exosphere.
C
FA
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Normally, temperature decreases with increase
in elevation. It is called normal lapse rate. At
times, the situations is reversed and the normal

C
PS
lapse rate is inverted. It is called Inversion of

U
temperature.

F
O
S
ET
C
FA
Consider the following combinations of lapse rate in relation to atmospheric
region:

1. Troposphere: Negative lapse rate

C
2. Stratosphere: Negative lapse rate

PS
3. Mesosphere : Negative lapse rate

U
4. Thermosphere: Positive lapse rate

F
O
How many of the combinations given above is/are correct?

S
ET
[UPSC GSI - 2024]
C
FA
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In which sphere of the atmosphere is harmful ultraviolet
(UV) radiation from the Sun absorbed?

C
PS
[UPSC GSI - 2024]

U
F
O
(A) Mesosphere

S
ET
(B) Thermosphere
(C) Troposphere C
FA
(D) Stratosphere
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following atmospheric layers is known for all
changes in climate and weather?

C
PS
[MPPSC - 2023]

U
F
O
(A) Thermosphere

S
ET
(B) Stratosphere
C
(C) Mesosphere FA
(D) Troposphere
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In which one of the following layers of the atmosphere all
weather phenomenon occur ?

C
PS
[UPSC NDA ll - 2023]

U
F
O
(A) Mesosphere

S
ET
(B) Troposphere
(C) Thermosphere C
FA
(D) Stratosphere
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
'Ozone layer' absorbing ultraviolet radiation exists in which
of the atmospheric layer?

C
PS
[UPPCS 2023]

U
F
O
(a) Mesosphere

S
ET
(b) Troposphere
(c) Stratosphere C
FA
(d) Thermosphere
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following zones of atmosphere is the
farthest from the earth surface?

C
PS
[UPSC CGS 2023]

U
F
O
(a) Stratosphere

S
ET
(b) Mesosphere
(c) Ionosphere C
FA
(d) Troposphere
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
There are three distinct characters of temperature
stratification of atmosphere around the Earth. Which one
among the following is the correct arrangement of the

C
layers (from the Earth's surface upwards)?

PS
U
F
[CDS II 2012]

O
S
ET
(a) Thermosphere-Stratosphere -Troposphere
C
FA
(b) Troposphere-Thermosphere- Stratosphere
(c) Troposphere-Stratosphere- Thermosphere
(d) Thermosphere-Troposphere- Stratosphere
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following statements:

[CDS I 2012]

C
PS
1. Ozone is mostly found in, the stratosphere.

U
2. Ozone layer lies 55-75 km above the surface of the Earth.

F
3. Ozóne absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

O
4. Ozone layer has no significance for life on the Earth.

S
ET
Which of the statements given above are correct?

C
FA
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 and 4
Ans : b

The Ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere,

C
from approximately 15 to 35 kilometers (9.3 to 21.7 mi) above Earth. The

PS
ozone layer absorbs 97 to 99 percent of the Sun's medium-frequency

U
ultraviolet light.

F
O
S
ET
C
FA
Which one among the following is responsible for
formation of 'Ozone Holes' in the stratosphere ?

C
PS
[CDS II 2013]

U
F
O
(a) Benzopyrene

S
ET
(b) Hydrocarbons
C
(c) Chlorofluorocarbons
FA
(d) UV radiation
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The _____ part of the Earth's atmosphere contains about
70% of the total air in the atmosphere.

C
PS
[MPSC 2022]

U
F
O
(1) Stratosphere

S
ET
(2) Mesosphere
C
(3) Thermosphere FA
(4) Troposphere
 Ans : (4)

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Arrange the following layers of atmosphere vertically from the surface of the Earth
:

[CDS I 2015] [NDA II 2013]

C
PS
1. Mesosphere

U
2. Troposphere

F
3. Stratosphere

O
4. Thermosphere

S
ET
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

C
FA
(A) 1-2-3-4
(B) 2-1-3-4
(C) 2-3-1-4
(D) 3-4-2-1
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Find out the correct order of sequence of the vertical structure of
the atmosphere from lower to higher altitudes

C
[JKPSC 2021]

PS
U
F
(A) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere

O
(B) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere

S
ET
(C) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere and

C
Mesosphere FA
(D) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere and
Mesosphere
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The maximum concentration of ozone is found in which of
the following?

C
PS
[UPPSC 2018]

U
F
O
(a) Troposphere

S
ET
(b) Mesosphere
C
(c) Stratosphere FA
(d) Exosphere
 ans: c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following statements concerning atmosphere of the Earth are
correct?

[CDS II 2016]

C
PS
1. In stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude.

U
2. In mesosphere, temperature decreases with altitude.

F
3. The lowest temperature of the atmosphere is recorded in the upper part of

O
mesosphere.

S
4. Tropopause is an isothermal zone.

ET
C
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
FA
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following atmospheric layers is nearest to the
earth ?

C
PS
[UKPSC ACF 2019]

U
F
O
(a) Troposphere

S
ET
(b) Exosphere
C
(c) Stratosphere FA
(d) Thermosphere
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which is the lowest layer of the Atmosphere ?

[UKPCS 2016]

C
PS
U
(a) Stratosphere

F
O
(b) Ozonosphere

S
ET
(c) Ionosphere
(d) Troposphere C
FA
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of layers
as we move from the Earth's surface upwards ?

C
PS
[NDA II 2021]

U
F
O
(a) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere

S
ET
(b) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere

C
(c) Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
FA
(d) Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In the atmosphere which of the following carries the ozone
layer ?

C
PS
[OPSC 2021]

U
F
O
(a) Exosphere

S
ET
(b) Ionosphere
C
(c) Stratosphere FA
(d) Troposphere
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: Skin cancer is generally caused by the ultraviolet radiation.

Statement 2: Stratosphere allows ultraviolet radiation to enter the Earth from Sun.

C
PS
(CDS 2 2017)

U
F
O
A) Both statements are individually true and statement 2 is correct explanation of

S
statement 1

ET
B) Both statements are individually true but statement 2 is not correct

C
explanation of statement 1
FA
C) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false
D) Statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Most ozone gas (about 90%) is located in the atmospheric
layer of

C
PS
(CDS 2 2017)

U
F
O
A) Ionosphere

S
ET
B) Troposphere
C) Stratosphere C
FA
D) Mesosphere
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Ozone layer, which absorbs the ultra-violet radiation is
found in which one of the following layers of the
atmosphere?

C
PS
U
(CDS 1 2021)

F
O
S
ET
A) Ionosphere
B) Troposphere C
FA
C) Mesosphere
D) Stratosphere
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Ozone layer depletion is a major phenomenon in?

(CAPF 2015)

C
PS
U
(A) Troposphere

F
O
(B) Stratosphere

S
ET
(C) Thermosphere
(D) Exosphere C
FA
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following layers of atmosphere has high
concentration of ions ?

C
PS
[CAPF 2016]

U
F
O
(a) Stratosphere

S
ET
(b) Exosphere
(c) Thermosphere C
FA
(d) Troposphere
 Ans: c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The lowest temperature is observed/ recorded in which
one of the following layers of the atmosphere?

C
PS
[CAPF 2018]

U
F
O
(a) Stratosphere

S
ET
(b) Mesosphere
(c) Thermosphere C
FA
(d) Troposphere
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The correct sequence of different layers of the atmosphere
from the surface of the Earth upwards is:

C
PS
[CSE 1998]

U
F
O
(a) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere

S
ET
(b) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere
C
(c) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere
FA
(d) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following layers of the atmosphere is
responsible for the deflection of radio waves?

C
PS
[CSE 1996]

U
F
O
(a) Troposphere

S
ET
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere C
FA
(d) Ionosphere
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
 SOLAR RADIATION
The earth’s surface receives most of its energy in short wavelengths. The
energy received by the earth is known as incoming solar radiation which in short
is termed as insolation. As the earth is a geoid resembling a sphere, the sun’s
rays fall obliquely at the top of the atmosphere and the earth intercepts a very

C
PS
small portion of the sun’s energy. On an average the earth receives 1.94 calories
per sq. cm per minute at the top of its atmosphere.

U
F
O
S
The amount and the intensity of insolation vary during a day, in a season and in a

ET
year. The factors that cause these variations in insolation are : (i) the rotation of

C
earth on its axis; (ii) the angle of inclination of the sun’s rays; (iii) the length of the
FA
day; (iv) the transparency of the atmosphere; (v) the configuration of land in terms
of its aspect. The last two however, have less influence.
The higher the latitude the less is the angle they make with
the surface of the earth resulting in slant sun rays. The
area covered by vertical rays is always less than the slant

C
PS
rays. If more area is covered, the energy gets distributed

U
and the net energy received per unit area decreases.

F
O
Moreover, the slant rays are required to pass through

S
ET
greater depth of the atmosphere resulting in more
C
absorption, scattering and diffusion
FA
The atmosphere is largely transparent to short wave solar
radiation. The incoming solar radiation passes through the
atmosphere before striking the earth’s surface. Within the

C
PS
troposphere water vapour, ozone and other gases absorb

U
much of the near infrared radiation.

F
O
S
ET
C
FA
Which one of the following is not a factor that causes
variations in insolation?

C
PS
[UPSC CBI - 2024]

U
F
O
(A) Angle of inclination of the Sun's rays

S
ET
(B) Rotation of the Earth on its axis
(C) Length of the day C
FA
(D) Vegetation cover on the Earth's surface
 ANS : D

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The Earth's atmosphere is mainly heated by which one of
the following?

C
PS
[NDA II 2021] [BPSC] [UPPSC]

U
F
O
(a) Short wave solar radiation

S
ET
(b) Reflected solar radiation
C
(c) Long wave terrestrial radiation
FA
(d) Scattered solar radiation
ANS : C

C
Radiation from the warmed upper atmosphere, along with a small amount

PS
from the Earth's surface, radiates out to space. Most of the emitted

U
longwave radiation warms the lower atmosphere, which in turn warms our

F
planet's surface.

O
S
ET
C
FA
 Terrestrial Radiation

The insolation received by the earth is in short waves forms

C
PS
and heats up its surface. The earth after being heated itself

U
becomes a radiating body and it radiates energy to the

F
atmosphere in long wave form. This energy heats up the

O
S
atmosphere from below. This process is known as terrestrial

ET
radiation. The long wave radiation is absorbed by the
C
FA
atmospheric gases particularly by carbon dioxide and the
other green house gases. Thus, the atmosphere is indirectly
heated by the earth’s radiation.
FA
HEAT BUDGET

C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider that the insolation received at the top of the atmosphere is 100 per cent.
While passing through the atmosphere some amount of energy is reflected,
scattered and absorbed. Only the remaining part reaches the earth surface.
Roughly 35 units are reflected back to space even before reaching the earth’s
surface. Of these, 27 units are reflected back from the top of the clouds and 2

C
PS
units from the snow and ice-covered areas of the earth. The reflected amount of
radiation is called the albedo of the earth.

U
The remaining 65 units are absorbed, 14 units within the atmosphere and 51 units

F
O
by the earth’s surface. The earth radiates back 51 units in the form of terrestrial

S
radiation. Of these, 17 units are radiated to space directly and the remaining 34

ET
units are absorbed by the atmosphere (6 units absorbed directly by the

C
atmosphere, 9 units through convection and turbulence and 19 units through
FA
latent heat of condensation). 48 units absorbed by the atmosphere (14 units from
insolation +34 units from terrestrial radiation) are also radiated back into space.
Thus, the total radiation returning from the earth and the atmosphere respectively
is 17+48=65 units which balance the total of 65 units received from the sun. This
is termed the heat budget or heat balance of the earth.
 INVERSION OF TEMPERATURE
Normally, temperature decreases with increase in elevation. It is called
normal lapse rate. At times, the situations is reversed and the normal

C
PS
lapse rate is inverted. It is called Inversion of temperature. Inversion is

U
usually of short duration but quite common nonetheless. A long winter

F
night with clear skies and still air is ideal situation for inversion. The heat

O
of the day is radiated off during the night, and by early morning hours,

S
ET
the earth is cooler than the air above. Over polar areas, temperature
inversion is normal throughout the year
C
FA
The inversion takes place in hills and mountains due to air drainage.
Cold air at the hills and mountains, produced during night, flows under
the influence of gravity.
Which of the following is not among the conditions ideal for
inversion of temperature?

C
PS
[UPSC CBI - 2024]

U
F
O
(A) A long winter night

S
ET
(B) Clear skies
C
(C) Still air FA
(D) Low air pressure near the ground surface
 ANS : D

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s
surface, because

[CSE 2012]

C
PS
1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth's surface

U
F
2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere

O
S
3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere

ET
C
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
FA
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
(CDS I 2022)
Which of the following statements about inversion of
temperature is/are correct?
1. Temperature increases with increasing altitude.

C
PS
2. A long winter night with clear skies is an ideal situation.

U
3. It is a short term phenomenon and is common all over

F
O
the globe except at the poles.

S
ET
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
C
FA
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans : a
Temperature inversion can be both short-term or
long-term, depending on the atmospheric conditions. It can

C
PS
occur globally, including at the poles, although it may be

U
more prevalent in certain regions or seasons.

F
O
S
ET
C
FA
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
The weight of a column of air contained in a unit area from
the mean sea level to the top of the atmosphere is called

C
PS
the atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure is

U
expressed in units of milibar. At sea level the average

F
O
atmospheric pressure is 1,013.2 milibar.

S
ET
C
FA
Vertical Variation of Pressure
In the lower atmosphere the pressure decreases rapidly
with height. The decrease amounts to about 1 mb for each

C
PS
10 m increase in elevation

U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
Forces Affecting the Velocity and Direction of Wind

C
PS
U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
The winds in the upper atmosphere, 2 -
3 km above the surface, are free from
frictional effect of the surface and are
controlled mainly by the pressure

C
gradient and the Coriolis force. When

PS
isobars are straight and when there is

U
no friction, the pressure gradient force

F
is balanced by the Coriolis force and

O
the resultant wind blows parallel to the

S
isobar. This wind is known as the

ET
geostrophic wind

C
FA
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C