Freefall Through the Layers of the Atmosphere

Introduction

An unnamed billionaire announces that she is going to pay $100,000,000 to the next team of scientists and sky divers who can break the world record for the highest skydive.  You and your team are determined to break the world record and win the $100,000,000.  But first, you need to learn everything you can about the layers of the atmosphere so you know what to expect as you attempt this death defying stunt.  

Task

To prepare for your jump, you are tasked with learning about the layers of the atmosphere.  You will need to know what occurs in each layer and what makes each layer unique.  Additionally, temperatures change in each layer of the atmosphere.  You will need to know how the temperature changes in order to make your jump successful.  Use the following instructions to explore the layers of the atmosphere and record what you discover. 

Process

  1. Watch this video of the current world record skydive.  https://thewonderofscience.com/phenomenon/2018/7/7/felix-baumgartner-space-jump-world-record  Write down 5 things you notice or wonder about as you watch the video.  There are no right or wrong answers, but your noticings need to be related to what happens during the skydiver’s descent. 

After watching the world record jump from space I noticed or wondered about: 

  1. _______________

  2. _______________

  3. _______________

  4. _______________

  5. _______________

  1. Go to the following website https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/layers-earths-atmosphere Please list the layers of the atmosphere, in order from closest to earth to farthest from the earth.  Include how far each layer extends above earths surface: 

    1. _______________

    2. _______________

    3. _______________

    4. _______________

    5. _______________

  2. Go to the following website https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmosphere/layers-of-atmosphere to learn more about how temperatures change throughout the layers of the atmosphere.  Please list each layer and indicate how the temperature changes in each layer of the atmosphere (warmer to colder, or colder to warmer): 

    1. _______________

    2. _______________

    3. _______________

    4. _______________

    5. _______________

  3. Go to the following website https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/parts-atmosphere/  to answer the next few questions: 

    1. In which layer of the atmosphere does almost all weather occur? 

      1. _______________ 

    2. In which layer do airplanes fly?

      1. _______________ 

    3. Why is the stratosphere “crucial to life on Earth”?

      1. _______________ 

    4. In which layer of the atmosphere do we see most meteors burn?

      1. _______________ 

    5. The mesosphere is the most difficult layer of the atmosphere to research.  This layer has two phenomenon: sprits and elves.  What are these meteorological mysteries? 

      1. Sprits: _______________  

      2. Elves _______________ 

    6. The thermosphere can reach temperatures of 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. However, scientists say there isn’t much heat at this layer.  How can this be? 

      1. _______________ 

    7. In which layer of the atmosphere do most of our satellites orbit? 

      1. _______________ 

  4. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/hall-of-fame/felix-baumgartner-first-person-to-break-sound-barrier-in-freefall

    1. In what layer of the atmosphere did Felix Baumgartner jump from to break the world record? 

      1. _______________

      2. Knowing what you know now about the layers of the atmosphere, what are three things your team would need to consider if you were to attempt this jump?

      1. _________

      2. __________

      3. __________

Credits