Chapter 30, Problem 17TE

Why is the thermosphere so much hotter than the mesosphere?

To determine

The reason for the hotness of the thermosphere than the mesosphere.

Answer to Problem 17TE

The thermosphere is so much hotter than the mesosphere because the particles of the thermosphere absorbs large amount of thermal radiation and acquires high amount of kinetic energy.

Explanation of Solution

The thermosphere is hotter than the mesosphere because of its location and area in the atmosphere. The thermosphere is located above then the mesosphere, and the area of the thermosphere is less as compared to the mesosphere, so the thermosphere gets an intense amount of sunlight, and particles of thermosphere air receive a high amount of thermal radiation.

Due to this reason, the thermosphere gets heated in a large amount. But on the other hand, the particles of the mesosphere also receive thermal radiation, but the area of the mesosphere in the atmosphere is large as compared to the thermosphere, so heat absorption in the mesosphere is not higher than thermosphere.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the thermosphere is so much hotter than the mesosphere because the particles of the thermosphere absorbs large amount of thermal radiation and acquires high amount of kinetic energy.