What atmospheric layer extends from the surface up to approximately 36,000 feet?

The troposphere is the atmospheric layer that extends from the Earth's surface up to approximately 36,000 feet. This layer is where most of the weather phenomena occur, including clouds, rain, and storms. It is characterized by a decrease in temperature with altitude, which is important for understanding how weather systems develop and dissipate.

As you ascend through the troposphere, the air pressure decreases, and this layer contains about 80% of the atmosphere's mass. It is also where we see the effects of human activity, such as pollution. Knowing about the troposphere is essential for pilots and meteorologists since it directly impacts aviation operations and weather forecasting.

The other atmospheric layers mentioned—mesosphere, stratosphere, and thermosphere—are found above the troposphere. The stratosphere, for example, extends above the troposphere and is characterized by a temperature inversion, while the mesosphere lies above the stratosphere and is where temperatures decline again with altitude. The thermosphere is the highest layer mentioned and is known for its high temperatures and low density, but it starts well above 36,000 feet. Each of these layers plays a distinctive role in Earth's atmosphere, but the troposphere is the one that