Name: _________________________
Atmospheric Layers Graph
Purpose: You will create a diagram/graph of atmospheric layers and temperature changes due to
altitude. Please read the directions very carefully, one step at a time. You must make sure to refer to
your directions.
Procedures:
1. Write your name on a piece of ¼ inch graph paper with the long side held vertically. Label
Temperature (oC) on the x-axis. The range is from -100 oC to 20 oC. Label this by 10’s. Allow
every 2 blocks to represent 10 degrees. Label the Y axis Altitude in (km). The bottom value should
be 0 km. Label in intervals of 10. Let every 3 blocks equal 10 km. Label up to 100km.
2. Using the data below, plot temperature and altitude on the graph. Use a red pencil to connect the
points in order and label this line as Temperature somewhere in the key.
3. From the information about atmospheric layers found in your note sheets, draw four straight
horizontal lines at the proper altitudes to separate each layer. Label each layer with different
colored pencils. Shade in each layer lightly with the color you have chosen. Make sure to include
the colors and layer they connect to on a key!
4. Draw a long arrow going from the bottom to the top of the paper on the far right side of the paper.
Use a black pencil or pen for this. Label this arrow as Decreasing Air Pressure
5. Draw in a small mountain range at the bottom of the diagram with the highest peak of that range
reaching 9 km. Label this peak Mt. Everest. Zero kilometers is considered sea level.
6. Inside each of the layers, write some important facts about each layer.
Data:
Point Order #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Temperature in Celsius
10
-10
-30
-50
-60
-50
0
0
-30
-60
-90
-90
-60
Increases Greatly
Height in Kilometers
0
3
6
9
18
30
40
50
60
70
76
90
100
>100
Layers:
Layer
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Height
0-18 km
18-50 km
50-80 km
80km and up