the higher you go in the ozone layer , the colder it gets

Question

Is this true or false : the higher you go in the ozone layer , the colder it gets?

Answer 1

Hello Madison, 

The temperature of the stratosphere (which contains Earth's ozone layer) actually increases in temperature as you move higher, so the statement is false. This phenomenon is caused by the absorption of solar radiation by ozone molecules concentrated in the upper stratosphere. 

A nice figure of the atmosphere temperature profile and further explanation can be found on this webpage: https://www.britannica.com/science/ozone-layer

Answer 2

Hi Madison from Memphis,TN...hope you had a great day as school.

Thanks for contacting Wyzant...I am here to help.

Here is the reasoning.

It is not solely the ozone that is the issue, but rather, it is our atmosphere that allows Earth to have the climate it has.

Since the atmosphere is composed of gas molecules, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and other inert gases, as well as water molecules, this is what traps and hold the Sun's energy within our atmosphere. That is why air pressure at sea level is higher as compared to being on top of Mount Everest, because there are more gas molecules at sea level than there are on top of Mount Everest. As one goes further out beyond our atmosphere, there are less and less of these gas molecules. Since there are little or no gas molecules, the Sun's energy is not absorbed. It is deathly cold in outer space. It is just that in the zone layer, there are less gas molecules, not that there is ozone.

Hope this helps...

Let me know if you need any further help, contact me on Wyzant.