Question

Explain Stratosphere.

Answer 1

Hint: The Earth’s atmosphere comprises several layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Exosphere (in order moving from the surface of the Earth and upward). The Stratosphere is the second major layer. It exists between the Troposphere and Mesosphere.

Complete answer:
The Earth’s atmosphere comprises layers of gases, known as air. It is retained by Earth's gravity and it surrounds the planet Earth, forming its planetary atmosphere. It creates pressure allowing for liquid water to exist on the Earth's surface, absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention, also known as greenhouse effect, and reducing temperature extremes between day and night, hence protecting life on Earth.
The atmosphere has been segregated into layers based on temperature. These layers are the Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Exosphere. Exosphere exists at about $500km$ above the Earth's surface. On moving upwards from the surface of Earth, an increase in temperature with height occurs, because of absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the sun by this ozone.
The Stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. The Troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the Stratosphere. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the Mesosphere. The Stratosphere extends upwards from the Tropopause (to about $50km$ ). The Stratosphere experiences the hottest temperatures during summer, and the coldest during the winter.
Ozone $\left( {{O_3}} \right)$, is a gas which contains three Oxygen atoms. Ozone molecules are constantly formed and destroyed in the Stratosphere. An important role played by Ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere is that it acts as a shield to protect Earth's surface from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. When this shield is weakened, we are more prone to skin cancer, impaired immune systems and cataracts. It is seen that most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the Stratosphere.

Note:
The Stratosphere has stable atmospheric conditions in comparison to the troposphere. It is almost completely void of clouds, and other weather conditions. The highest level of the atmosphere that is accessible by jet-aircrafts is the Stratosphere.