Step 1: Understanding the Question: We need to identify the specific atmospheric layer that houses the ozone layer, which is responsible for absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.
Step 2: Key Concept: Earth's atmosphere is structurally divided into multiple layers based on altitude and temperature profiles: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The lowest layer is the Troposphere, extending up to about \(10\) to \(15\ \text{km}\), where all weather phenomena occur.
Above the troposphere lies the Stratosphere, extending up to an altitude of about \(50\ \text{km}\).
The ozone layer is a high-concentration region of ozone (\(O_3\)) molecules located primarily within the lower portion of the stratosphere.
This vital layer acts as a protective shield, absorbing the majority of the Sun's harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation.
The other higher layers, such as the Mesosphere (where meteors burn up) and Thermosphere (where auroras occur), do not contain the ozone layer.
Step 4: Final Answer: Thus, the correct atmospheric layer containing the ozone layer is the Stratosphere.