Atmosphere

Question 1

What is the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The air around Earth.

Question 2

What are the 3 purposes of Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 2

1. Support life
2. Protects us
3. Creates weather

Question 3

What are the 2 main gases found in Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 3

1. Nitrogen (78%)
2. Oxygen (21%)

Question 4

How is nitrogen important to life on Earth?

Answer 4

Helps plants grow.

Question 5

How is oxygen important to life on Earth?

Answer 5

Helps us breathe.

Question 6

How is water vapor important to life on Earth?

Answer 6

Cycles through the water cycle.

Question 7

How is carbon dioxide important to life on Earth?

Answer 7

Feeds plants.

Question 8

What happens to atmospheric pressure as you gain altitude?

Answer 8

It decreases.

Question 9

What happens to atmospheric density as you gain altitude?

Answer 9

It decreases.

Question 10

What are the 5 layers of Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 10

A. Exosphere
B. Thermosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Stratosphere
E. Troposphere

Question 11

What are the 4 main types of clouds and their characteristics?

Answer 11

A. Cirrus - high level, wispy, curly.
B. Cumulus - fluffy, white, dense, often associated with fair weather.
C. Stratus - low level, layer-like a blanket, composed of water droplets.
D. Nimbus - extends through all levels, rain, composed of water droplets.

Question 12

In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer?

Answer 12

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere.

Question 13

How does the ozone layer protect Earth?

Answer 13

It protects us from harmful solar radiation.

Question 14

Where is the ozone layer ‘good’ for Earth?

Answer 14

The ozone layer is ‘good’ in the stratosphere.

Question 15

Where is the ozone layer ‘bad’ for Earth?

Answer 15

The ozone layer is ‘bad’ in the troposphere.

Question 16

Where is the ionosphere?

Answer 16

The ionosphere is located in the thermosphere and mesosphere.

Question 17

How is the ionosphere used for radio communication?

Answer 17

It reflects radio waves back to Earth off of ions.

Question 18

What are Van Allen Radiation Belts?

Answer 18

They are layers of magnetic particles that create the aurora borealis.

Question 19

What is the characteristic of air in the Exosphere?

Answer 19

Air is very thin.

Question 20

What natural phenomenon occurs in the Thermosphere?

Answer 20

Northern Lights.

Question 21

What is the layer with most atmospheric air?

Answer 21

Troposphere.

Question 22

Where do satellites orbit?

Answer 22

Exosphere.

Question 23

What is the characteristic of the Stratosphere?

Answer 23

Very calm layer, so planes tend to fly in this layer.

Question 24

Where does the space shuttle typically orbit?

Answer 24

Thermosphere.

Question 25

What is the coldest layer of the atmosphere?

Answer 25

Mesosphere.

Question 26

Where is the ozone layer found?

Answer 26

At the bottom of the Stratosphere.

Question 27

In which layer does virtually all weather happen?

Answer 27

Troposphere.

Question 28

Where do meteoroids typically burn up?

Answer 28

In the Mesosphere.

Question 29

What is the lower part of the Thermosphere called?

Answer 29

Ionosphere.

Question 30

What is the altitude range of the Exosphere?

Answer 30

600 - 10,000 km.

Question 31

What is the altitude range of the Thermosphere?

Answer 31

85 - 600 km.

Question 32

What is the altitude range of the Mesosphere?

Answer 32

50 - 85 km.

Question 33

What is the altitude range of the Stratosphere?

Answer 33

145 - 50 km.

Question 34

What is the altitude range of the Troposphere?

Answer 34

0 - 14.6 km.