Question

why does the thermosphere have the highest temperature of all the atmosphere layers?
a. it contains the stratosphere.
b. the suns radiation strikes it first.
c. it has mostly nitrogen molecules.
d. it is the thickest layer.

Explanation:

The thermosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that is closest to space. Since it is the outermost layer, the sun's radiation strikes it first. This radiation is absorbed by the gases in the thermosphere, causing the temperature to rise.

• Option A is incorrect because the stratosphere is a separate layer below the thermosphere.
• Option C is incorrect because the thermosphere has a very low density of molecules, not mostly nitrogen molecules.
• Option D is incorrect because the thermosphere is not the thickest layer in terms of mass (the troposphere has most of the atmosphere's mass).

Answer:

B. The sun’s radiation strikes it first.