Temperature and Height Graph

5th Grade ScienceLayers of the Atmosphere3 pages

About this worksheet

A line graph on page 1 of this 5th grade science sheet plots air temperature against height from 0 to 100 km. Dashed lines mark 12, 50 and 85 km, and the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere are named at the right. Students read the temperature at the ground and at 12 km, name the layer where it rises between 20 and 50 km, and find the coldest point. Page 2 asks why the layers split at 12, 50 and 85 km and why the stratosphere warms. The key gives 15°C, -55°C and -90°C at about 85 km.

Remix for free

Temperature and Height Graph: Layers of the Atmosphere - page 1

Temperature and Height Graph: Layers of the Atmosphere - page 2

Temperature and Height Graph: Layers of the Atmosphere - page 3

Curriculum objectives covered

“Read temperature values from a line graph with height on one axis and temperature on the other.”

Items 1, 2 and 4 on page 1 ask for 15°C, -55°C and -90°C at about 85 km.

“Describe how temperature changes through the layers of the atmosphere.”

Item 3 picks out the stratosphere, and item 5 asks why the layers are divided where the trend switches.

“Explain why the stratosphere gets warmer with height.”

Item 6 expects ozone absorbing ultraviolet light.

What's inside this worksheet

Temperature and Height Graph

A line graph with temperature from -100°C to 20°C across the bottom and height in kilometers up the side. Four boxes ask for the temperature at 0 km, the temperature at 12 km, the layer where temperature rises from 20 km to 50 km, and the coldest temperature with its height.

Explaining the Patterns

Two written questions with four lines each: why the layers are divided at 12, 50 and 85 km, and why the stratosphere warms as you go higher.

Answers

Answers for all six items, ending with the ozone layer absorbing ultraviolet light as the reason the stratosphere warms.

How teachers use it

Trace the line

Have students trace the line in a different color for each layer before they answer anything. The turning points at 12, 50 and 85 km then explain item 5 almost on their own.

The flat stretch

The line is flat from 12 to 20 km, both at -55°C. Ask what that tells students about reading a graph where nothing changes.

Exit slip

Use item 4 alone as a quick check. A student who gives -90°C but forgets the 85 km height has read only one axis.

More 5th Grade Science worksheets

Matter and Its Interactions Earth's Systems Ecosystems Engineering Design Photosynthesis Physical and Chemical Changes Digestive System Gravity Layers of the Earth

Get started today

Create your own lesson plans, worksheets, and classroom activities in minutes using our AI-powered tools.

Try Chalkie for free