What are the three parts of Earth's atmosphere, in order from the surface upward?

The three parts of Earth's atmosphere, in order from the surface upward, are the troposphere, stratosphere, and then the mesosphere, with the first two layers being the most significant for aviation. The troposphere is where weather occurs and extends up to about 8 to 15 kilometers above sea level, depending on geographic location. Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, which extends up to about 50 kilometers.

The choice that includes the term "Tropopause" is actually referencing the boundary layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere, but it does not correctly list the subsequent layers of the atmosphere following that boundary.

Thus, the correct sequence of atmospheric layers starts with the troposphere, proceeds through the tropopause as a defining boundary, and continues with the stratosphere as the next layer. Understanding the structure of the atmosphere is essential in aviation for factors such as weather patterns, temperature changes, and altitude considerations.