Question

If the atmosphere is so big, why do planes primarily operate in the Troposphere?

Answer 1

Planes primarily operate in the troposphere because this is the layer of the atmosphere that is closest to the Earth's surface and it's where most of our weather occurs. The troposphere extends from the Earth's surface up to about 7-20 km (5-12 miles) and it contains about 80% of the total mass of the atmosphere. The air is also denser in this layer, making it easier for planes to generate lift and fly efficiently. Additionally, the troposphere is where the majority of commercial and civilian air traffic occurs, as it is the layer that is best suited for takeoff, landing and cruising of planes. Planes are able to fly in higher layers of the atmosphere, but the conditions become more challenging and it's less common for commercial planes to operate in those layers because it would require specialized equipment and training.

I hope this helps :)

Answer 2

Airplanes primarily operate in the troposphere due to the ideal conditions for flight, such as sufficient air density for lift and the presence of most weather. While the stratosphere offers calmer conditions, higher layers like the mesosphere and thermosphere have thinner air, making them unsuitable for standard commercial flight.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Earth's atmosphere is comprised of multiple layers, each with distinct characteristics. The question at hand is why airplanes primarily operate in the troposphere rather than the higher layers of the atmosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer, extending from the Earth's surface up to 12 km, encompassing about 80% of the atmosphere's mass and where most of our weather events occur. The air density and temperature both decrease as altitude increases in this layer, making it the most suitable for airplane flight.

Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, which ranges from 12 km to about 50 km. While some commercial airplanes fly in the lower part of the stratosphere, most flights occur within the troposphere because this region has sufficient air density to provide the necessary lift for aircraft. Additionally, the lower stratosphere is typically free of weather disturbances such as storms, which are common in the troposphere, making it occasionally beneficial for flying.

The mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere are located above the stratosphere but are less suitable for commercial flights because the air in these layers is much thinner, providing less lift and requiring different technologies to travel through them. It is also worth mentioning that the thermosphere contains the ionosphere, where atmospheric atoms can become ionized and the density is so low that satellites can orbit with little friction.