Troposphere: Difference between revisions
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The name "troposphere" is derived from the Greek ''tropos,'' meaning "turning." This reflects the fact that air within the troposphere commonly "overturns" or mixes from top to bottom. A vivid example of this overturning is the motions within a deep thundercloud, where air parcels near the Earth's surface often ascend to the top of the troposphere (called the ''tropopause''). | The name "troposphere" is derived from the Greek ''tropos,'' meaning "turning." This reflects the fact that air within the troposphere commonly "overturns" or mixes from top to bottom. A vivid example of this overturning is the motions within a deep thundercloud, where air parcels near the Earth's surface often ascend to the top of the troposphere (called the ''tropopause''). | ||
The troposphere contains about 80% of the mass of Earth's atmosphere. Almost all the phenomena that we associate with day-to-day [[weather]] occur within the troposphere. | |||
Revision as of 13:12, 14 August 2007
The troposphere is the lowest of the main layers of the Earth's atmosphere. The troposphere extends from Earth's surface to an average height of about 12 km.
The name "troposphere" is derived from the Greek tropos, meaning "turning." This reflects the fact that air within the troposphere commonly "overturns" or mixes from top to bottom. A vivid example of this overturning is the motions within a deep thundercloud, where air parcels near the Earth's surface often ascend to the top of the troposphere (called the tropopause).
The troposphere contains about 80% of the mass of Earth's atmosphere. Almost all the phenomena that we associate with day-to-day weather occur within the troposphere.