Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the Atmosphere
A layer of air that covers the earth
It protects the Earth from the sun during the day and traps the heat at night
What creates our weather
The flow of air in the lower levels moves heat around and creates weather
What is the composition of the atmosphere
Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Carbon Dioxide - Less than 1%
Other gases i.e. water vapour - Around 1%
Why do the gases in the atmosphere stay around the Earth
They are held in place by gravity
What causes atmospheric pressure
The crush of air particles creates a pressure in the air
What happens to the density of particles and therefore the pressure of the air
Density decreases as distance from Earth increases The pressure becomes lower as you go higher
Why is it more difficult to breathe at higher altitudes
The air pressure is lower and the air is less dense
How is ozone formed
Oxygen atoms split and combine to form o3
