Thermosphere facts for kids
The thermosphere is the fourth layer of Earth's atmosphere. It sits right above the mesosphere (the middle layer) and just below the exosphere (the very top layer).
The name "thermosphere" comes from the Greek word "thermos," which means 'heat'. This layer gets very hot because it soaks up powerful X-rays and extreme ultraviolet light from the Sun. Even though temperatures can reach 2,000 °C (3,360 °F), it doesn't feel hot at all. This is because the air in the thermosphere is super thin, meaning there aren't many air particles to transfer heat to you.
Why is the Thermosphere So Hot?
The thermosphere is like Earth's shield against strong radiation from space. It absorbs a lot of the Sun's energy, especially X-rays and ultraviolet rays. When these rays hit the very thin air, they make the particles speed up. This high speed is what we measure as a high temperature.
The Ionosphere and Radio Waves
When the thermosphere absorbs this powerful radiation, it also creates something special called the ionosphere. This is a part of the thermosphere where gas particles become electrically charged, or "ionized."
The ionosphere is super helpful for Shortwave radio communication. Radio waves can actually bounce off this charged layer and travel to distant parts of the Earth. This is why you can sometimes pick up radio stations from far away!
Images for kids
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Figure 1. This diagram shows how scientists name parts of the atmosphere based on things like electric conductivity, temperature, and how many electrons are in the air.
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Figure 2. This picture shows how winds move in the thermosphere at different times of the day and in different directions.
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A diagram showing all the layers of Earth's atmosphere.
See also
In Spanish: Termosfera para niños
