In which atmospheric layer do most meteors burn up?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the Water, Air, Energy, and Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In which atmospheric layer do most meteors burn up?

Explanation:
Meteors burn up mainly where atmospheric drag heats them most efficiently as they plunge into the atmosphere. The mesosphere sits at roughly 50–85 kilometers up, where the air is dense enough to create rapid ablation but not so dense that the meteor would decelerate and survive intact. That combination produces the intense heating that vaporizes or breaks apart most meteoroids. In the thermosphere the air is too thin for significant ablation, and by the time anything reaches the lower layers like the troposphere, most small meteoroids have already burned away. So the meteors typically burn up in the mesosphere.

Meteors burn up mainly where atmospheric drag heats them most efficiently as they plunge into the atmosphere. The mesosphere sits at roughly 50–85 kilometers up, where the air is dense enough to create rapid ablation but not so dense that the meteor would decelerate and survive intact. That combination produces the intense heating that vaporizes or breaks apart most meteoroids. In the thermosphere the air is too thin for significant ablation, and by the time anything reaches the lower layers like the troposphere, most small meteoroids have already burned away. So the meteors typically burn up in the mesosphere.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy