What factors differentiate earth’s atmospheric layers

Temperature and height

Explanation:

The different layers of the atmosphere on earth are differentiated on  the basis of temperature and height from the ground surface. The different layers are as follows-

Troposphere- This is the region from the ground surface to a height of about 10-12 km and in this layer, the temperature decreases with the increasing height. This decrease in temperature per km is known as the Lapse rate and its value is 6.5°C/km.Stratosphere- This layer ranges from 10-60 km above the ground surface and in this layer, the temperature increases with height due to the presence of the ozone layer.Mesosphere- This layer ranges from 60-100 km above the surface and in this region, the temperature again decreases with height.Thermosphere- This layer ranges from 100-600 km above the ground and in this region the temperature increases with height because of the strong incoming solar radiations.Exosphere- This layer ranges from 600 upto the outer space and in this region the temperature further decreases.

Maybe a horizontal because its a pattern

I'm pretty sure it's c. extremely gradual but not 100% sure though.