Question #b5f7d

1 Answer
Feb 6, 2018

A minor one.

Explanation:

The role of gravity on the atmosphere and it's layers is basically one of density. 50% of the mass of Earth's atmosphere is found in the lower half of the troposphere, and 80% of the total mass is found in the troposphere. If you accept the thickness of the atmosphere as 100km then 80% of the mass is in 10% of the volume closest to the Earth. This is due to gravity. Additionally, because of gravity there is a defined "top" of the atmosphere.

The formation of layers in the atmosphere is caused by heat not by gravity.