Stratosphere, the Ozone Layer that Serves to Absorb Ultraviolet Rays

KOMPAS.com – Stratosphere is one layer ozone or atmosphere Earth. One of the functions of the ozone layer in the layer stratosphere It protects the Earth from ultraviolet rays.

Location and character of the stratosphere

The stratosphere is located below the mesosphere and above the troposphere. The stratosphere is 35 kilometers thick. The stratosphere starts from an altitude of about 10 kilometers above the Earth’s surface to a height of 45 to 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.

The air in the stratosphere is very dry and contains very little water vapour. Almost all the clouds that form are in the layer below it.

There are no storms or turbulence in this layer. Uniquely, the lower stratosphere has cooler air than the warmer upper stratosphere. This is the opposite of the troposphere where we live.

This character makes most aircraft will fly in the lower layers of the stratosphere because the air is relatively stable. This is done to avoid turbulence that often occurs in the lower layer, namely the troposphere.

Read also: Functions of the Troposphere, the Closest Layer of the Atmosphere from Earth

Stratosphere function

The main function of the stratosphere is to absorb most of the ultraviolet radiation. Without this layer, there would be no life because all of the Earth’s surface would be exposed to very high levels of ultraviolet radiation.

This ability to absorb ultraviolet light comes from the presence of oxygen molecules in the form of ozone. Ozone very abundant in the stratosphere. Ozone gas is able to absorb heat energy and radiation from ultraviolet rays from the Sun.

The presence of ozone is what makes most of the sun’s heat stay in the upper layer of the stratosphere. This makes the upper layer feel warmer than the lower stratosphere. In addition, the temperature also becomes more volatile compared to the cooler and more stable lower stratosphere.

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