Question

As altitude rises, what happens to the temperature in the thermosphere?

Answer 1

temperature increases

Temperature increases with altitude in the thermosphere. Surprisingly, it may be higher than 1000 C  1800 F  near the top of this layer! The Suns energy there is very strong. The molecules absorb the Suns energy and are heated up. But there are so few gas molecules that the air still feels very cold. Molecules in the thermosphere gain or lose electrons. They then become charged particles called ions.