Describe something you have learned about the troposphere.

- The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 8–15 km in altitude. The exact height varies with latitude and season. - One key characteristic of the troposphere is that it contains most of the atmospheric water vapor. This is why nearly all weather phenomena—such as clouds, rain, and storms—occur in this layer. - In the troposphere, the temperature generally decreases with altitude. This temperature decrease, known as the lapse rate, can be approximated in a standard atmosphere by \[ \Gamma \approx 6.5\,^\circ \mathrm{C/km} \] meaning that for every kilometer of ascent, the temperature drops by about \( 6.5\,^\circ \mathrm{C} \). - The troposphere is primarily heated by the Earth's surface, which absorbs sunlight and then radiates heat. This process creates thermal gradients that drive air circulation and weather patterns. - Overall, understanding the structure and behavior of the troposphere is crucial for meteorology and climate science, as it is the primary region where the dynamics of weather take place.