Ozone layer is located in which layer of the atmosphere?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Stratosphere
The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, mostly between about 15 and 35 km above the Earth. Ozone (O3) there absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, which would otherwise cause skin cancer and damage to plants and animals; the absorbed energy is also why the stratosphere grows warmer with height.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Troposphere — Incorrect. It is the lowest layer, up to about 8-18 km, where weather, clouds and rain occur.
Option (3) Mesosphere — Incorrect. It lies above the stratosphere, at about 50-80 km; it is the coldest layer, where meteors burn up.
Option (4) Thermosphere — Incorrect. It lies above about 80 km; it contains the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves.