can you generalize that the higher the layer of theatmosphere (that is closer to the Sun), the hotter the temperature? Why or whynot?

No, you cannot generalize that the higher the layer of the atmosphere (that is closer to the Sun), the hotter the temperature. Here's why:

1. The Earth's atmosphere is divided into several layers, and the temperature does not increase uniformly with altitude.

2. The layer closest to the Earth's surface is the Troposphere. Here, the temperature generally decreases with altitude. This is because the Troposphere is heated from below by the Earth's surface, which absorbs sunlight and warms up.

3. Above the Troposphere is the Stratosphere. In this layer, the temperature actually increases with altitude. This is due to the presence of the Ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun and converts it into heat.

4. Above the Stratosphere is the Mesosphere, where temperature again decreases with altitude.

5. Finally, the Thermosphere, the highest layer, sees temperatures rise with altitude again. However, despite having high temperatures, this layer would not feel hot to our touch because of the extremely low air pressure and density.

So, the relationship between altitude and temperature in the Earth's atmosphere is complex and cannot be generalized as simply increasing with proximity to the Sun.