Atmosphere and Human Health Flashcards

1
Q

How does the Earths atmosphere protect life

A

The Earths atmosphere protects life by:
- Creating pressure allowing for liquid water to exist on the surface
- Absorbing UV radiation
- Warming the surface of the Earth through the greenhouse effect
- Reducing temperature extremes between day and night

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2
Q

Where is the only suitable air for photosynthesis and respiration found?

A

The only air suitable for photosynthesis and respiration is found in the Troposphere

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3
Q

Where are majority of the clouds/weather found in the atmosphere?

A

Majority of clouds are found in the Troposphere

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4
Q

What are all the layers of the atmosphere (lowest to highest)

A
  • Troposphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Thermosphere
  • Exosphere
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5
Q

Where is most of the mass located in the atmosphere?

A

The Troposphere holds most of the atmospheres weight

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6
Q

What is the wettest layer?

A

The Troposphere is the wettest layer

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7
Q

What layer contains all of the oxygen (O2)

A

The Troposphere contains all of the oxegyn

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8
Q

What is largely responsible for Earths weather?

A

Movement of air in the Troposphere is the main contributor to weather on Earth

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9
Q

What is the Troposphere’s range?

A

The Troposheres range is from:
Surface level - 10km above sea level

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10
Q

Is the Stratosphere wet or dry?

A

The Stratosphere is dry

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11
Q

When is the Troposphere lowest?

A

The Troposphere is lowest when:
- It is winter
- It is over the poles

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12
Q

When is the Troposphere the highest?

A

The Troposphere is the highest when:
- It is summer
- It is over the equator

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13
Q

How low can the Troposphere get over the poles in the winter?

A

The Troposphere can get as low as 7 km

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14
Q

How high can the Troposphere get over the equator in the summer?

A

The Troposphere can get as high as 20 km over the equator in the summer

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15
Q

Where is the warmest air in the Troposphere?

A

The warmest air in the Troposphere is located nearest to the ground

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16
Q

What is the range of the Stratosphere?

A

The Stratosphere ranges from 15-50 km

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17
Q

Where is the ozone layer located?

A

The ozone layer is located in the Stratosphere

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18
Q

Where are the highest temperatures in the Stratosphere?

A

The highest temperatures in the Stratosphere are located near the top

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19
Q

What layer do planes tend to fly in

A

Planes tend to fly in the Stratosphere as there is little convection and mixing of air, along with little weather

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20
Q

Is the Stratosphere wet or dry?

A

the Stratosphere is dry

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21
Q

Why are CFCs and other pollutants especially dangerous in the Stratosphere?

A

CFCs and other pollutants are especially dangerous in the Stratosphere because the little convection - this allows for materials to stay trapped in the air for longer periods of time

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22
Q

What is the range of the Mesosphere?

A

The Mesosphere ranges from 50 - 85 km

23
Q

What part of the Mesosphere is the coldest?

A

The Mesosphere is coldest near the top

24
Q

Where are the coldest temperatures in Earths atmosphere found?

A

the coldest temperature in Earths atmosphere are located in the Mesosphere

25
Q

Which layer is one of the first layers of defence against objects hitting the Earth?

A

The Mesosphere, because it burns up meteoroids and other invasive objects as they enter Earth

26
Q

What is the range of the Thermosphere?

A

The Thermosphere ranges from 90 - 500/1000 km

27
Q

What are the temperatures like in the Thermosphere layer?

A

Temperatures climb sharply in the lower Thermosphere and then level off with altitude

28
Q

What strongly influences temperature in the Thermosphere?

A

Solar activity strongly influences temperature in the Thermosphere

29
Q

What is the temperature range in the upper Thermosphere?

A

The upper Thermospheres temperature ranges from 500C - 2000C

30
Q

Which layer is thought to be a part of outer space?

A

The Thermosphere (and Exosphere) are thought to be part of outer space

31
Q

Which layer does the ISS and Space Shuttle orbit?

A

The ISS orbits in the Thermosphere layer

32
Q

Where is much of the X-Ray and UV radiation absorbed?

A

Most of the X-Ray and UV radiation is absorbed in the Thermosphere layer

33
Q

What happens to the Thermosphere when the sun emits more high energy?

A

It expands - resulting in height variations of the top of the Thermosphere

34
Q

Which layer does Aurora Borealis occur?

A

Auroras occur in the Thermosphere layer

35
Q

How do Auroras form?

A

Auroras are formed when charged particles collide with molecules in the Thermosphere at high latitudes and excites them into higher energy states. These molecules then release photons of light which appear as Auroras

36
Q

What are the two categories of air pollution?

A

The two categories of air pollution are:
- Visible
- Invisible

37
Q

What are some of the main causes of air pollution?

A

Main causes of air pollution are:
- Burning of fossil fuels
- Agricultural activities
- Exhaust from factories
- Mining operations
- Indoor air pollution
- Suspended particle matter

38
Q

What are some of the major health issues caused by air pollution?

A

Major health issues cause by air pollution are:
- Respiratory diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes
- Possible death

39
Q

What are some effects of air pollution on Earth?

A

Effects of air pollution on Earth include:
- Global warming/climate change
- Acid rain
- Eutrophication (accumulation of Nitrogen on the surface of water bodies leading to algae growth)
- Effects on wildlife
- Depletion of the ozone layer

40
Q

What are some methods to curb air pollution?

A

Some things we can do to reduce air pollution are:
- Public transportation
- Energy conservation
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Clean energy sources
- Using energy efficient devices

41
Q

What is air needed for?

A

Air is needed for:
- Supply of energy to all living things
- Conducting medium for sound waves
- Transportation (birds, insects, etc)

42
Q

What are the main substances in the atmosphere?

A

The 3 main substances in the atmosphere are:
- Nitrogen (78%)
- Oxygen (21%)
- Water Vapour

43
Q

What is relative humidity?

A

Relative humidity is the ratio of water vapour in the air content compared to the maximum amount it could have at that temperature

44
Q

Warm air can hold _____ water vapour than cold air.

A

more (forms in dew and frost)

45
Q

What is insolation?

A

Insolation is solar radiation that reaches Earth’s surface. Measured by the amount of solar energy received per square centimetre per minute. The more insolation, the higher the temperature

46
Q

How does the greenhouse effect work?

A

Short wave, visible light passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the Earth’s surface. Long wave, infrared light is absorbed by greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and trap heat

47
Q

How does conduction relate to the atmosphere?

A

Earth’s surface heats the air molecules that come in contact with Earth’s surface by conduction

48
Q

How does convection relate to the atmosphere?

A

Heat travels through the atmosphere by convection

49
Q

What layer of the atmosphere blocks gamma radiation?

A

The Thermosphere blocks gamma radiation

50
Q

Which layer of the atmosphere has jet stream?

A

The Stratosphere has jet stream

51
Q

Which layer of the atmosphere is the coldest?

A

The Mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere

52
Q

What layer of the atmosphere do satellites orbit?

A

Satellites orbit in the Exosphere

53
Q

What layers absorbs UV radiation?

A

Mostly the Stratosphere (ozone) and some UV radiation is absorbed in the Thermosphere layer

54
Q

Which layer is difficult to study?

A

The Mesosphere is difficult to study