Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the atmosphere?
The air around Earth.
What are the 3 purposes of Earth’s atmosphere?
- Support life
- Protects us
- Creates weather
What are the 2 main gases found in Earth’s atmosphere?
- Nitrogen (78%)
- Oxygen (21%)
How is nitrogen important to life on Earth?
Helps plants grow.
How is oxygen important to life on Earth?
Helps us breathe.
How is water vapor important to life on Earth?
Cycles through the water cycle.
How is carbon dioxide important to life on Earth?
Feeds plants.
What happens to atmospheric pressure as you gain altitude?
It decreases.
What happens to atmospheric density as you gain altitude?
It decreases.
What are the 5 layers of Earth’s atmosphere?
A. Exosphere
B. Thermosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Stratosphere
E. Troposphere
What are the 4 main types of clouds and their characteristics?
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.
In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer?
The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere.
How does the ozone layer protect Earth?
It protects us from harmful solar radiation.
Where is the ozone layer ‘good’ for Earth?
The ozone layer is ‘good’ in the stratosphere.
Where is the ozone layer ‘bad’ for Earth?
The ozone layer is ‘bad’ in the troposphere.
Where is the ionosphere?
The ionosphere is located in the thermosphere and mesosphere.
How is the ionosphere used for radio communication?
It reflects radio waves back to Earth off of ions.
What are Van Allen Radiation Belts?
They are layers of magnetic particles that create the aurora borealis.
What is the characteristic of air in the Exosphere?
Air is very thin.
What natural phenomenon occurs in the Thermosphere?
Northern Lights.
What is the layer with most atmospheric air?
Troposphere.
Where do satellites orbit?
Exosphere.
What is the characteristic of the Stratosphere?
Very calm layer, so planes tend to fly in this layer.
Where does the space shuttle typically orbit?
Thermosphere.
What is the coldest layer of the atmosphere?
Mesosphere.
Where is the ozone layer found?
At the bottom of the Stratosphere.
In which layer does virtually all weather happen?
Troposphere.
Where do meteoroids typically burn up?
In the Mesosphere.
What is the lower part of the Thermosphere called?
Ionosphere.
What is the altitude range of the Exosphere?
600 - 10,000 km.
What is the altitude range of the Thermosphere?
85 - 600 km.
What is the altitude range of the Mesosphere?
50 - 85 km.
What is the altitude range of the Stratosphere?
145 - 50 km.
What is the altitude range of the Troposphere?
0 - 14.6 km.
