Atmosphere and Human Health Flashcards
How does the Earths atmosphere protect life
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
Where is the only suitable air for photosynthesis and respiration found?
The only air suitable for photosynthesis and respiration is found in the Troposphere
Where are majority of the clouds/weather found in the atmosphere?
Majority of clouds are found in the Troposphere
What are all the layers of the atmosphere (lowest to highest)
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
- Exosphere
Where is most of the mass located in the atmosphere?
The Troposphere holds most of the atmospheres weight
What is the wettest layer?
The Troposphere is the wettest layer
What layer contains all of the oxygen (O2)
The Troposphere contains all of the oxegyn
What is largely responsible for Earths weather?
Movement of air in the Troposphere is the main contributor to weather on Earth
What is the Troposphere’s range?
The Troposheres range is from:
Surface level - 10km above sea level
Is the Stratosphere wet or dry?
The Stratosphere is dry
When is the Troposphere lowest?
The Troposphere is lowest when:
- It is winter
- It is over the poles
When is the Troposphere the highest?
The Troposphere is the highest when:
- It is summer
- It is over the equator
How low can the Troposphere get over the poles in the winter?
The Troposphere can get as low as 7 km
How high can the Troposphere get over the equator in the summer?
The Troposphere can get as high as 20 km over the equator in the summer
Where is the warmest air in the Troposphere?
The warmest air in the Troposphere is located nearest to the ground
What is the range of the Stratosphere?
The Stratosphere ranges from 15-50 km
Where is the ozone layer located?
The ozone layer is located in the Stratosphere
Where are the highest temperatures in the Stratosphere?
The highest temperatures in the Stratosphere are located near the top
What layer do planes tend to fly in
Planes tend to fly in the Stratosphere as there is little convection and mixing of air, along with little weather
Is the Stratosphere wet or dry?
the Stratosphere is dry
Why are CFCs and other pollutants especially dangerous in the Stratosphere?
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
What is the range of the Mesosphere?
The Mesosphere ranges from 50 - 85 km
What part of the Mesosphere is the coldest?
The Mesosphere is coldest near the top
Where are the coldest temperatures in Earths atmosphere found?
the coldest temperature in Earths atmosphere are located in the Mesosphere
Which layer is one of the first layers of defence against objects hitting the Earth?
The Mesosphere, because it burns up meteoroids and other invasive objects as they enter Earth
What is the range of the Thermosphere?
The Thermosphere ranges from 90 - 500/1000 km
What are the temperatures like in the Thermosphere layer?
Temperatures climb sharply in the lower Thermosphere and then level off with altitude
What strongly influences temperature in the Thermosphere?
Solar activity strongly influences temperature in the Thermosphere
What is the temperature range in the upper Thermosphere?
The upper Thermospheres temperature ranges from 500C - 2000C
Which layer is thought to be a part of outer space?
The Thermosphere (and Exosphere) are thought to be part of outer space
Which layer does the ISS and Space Shuttle orbit?
The ISS orbits in the Thermosphere layer
Where is much of the X-Ray and UV radiation absorbed?
Most of the X-Ray and UV radiation is absorbed in the Thermosphere layer
What happens to the Thermosphere when the sun emits more high energy?
It expands - resulting in height variations of the top of the Thermosphere
Which layer does Aurora Borealis occur?
Auroras occur in the Thermosphere layer
How do Auroras form?
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
What are the two categories of air pollution?
The two categories of air pollution are:
- Visible
- Invisible
What are some of the main causes of air pollution?
Main causes of air pollution are:
- Burning of fossil fuels
- Agricultural activities
- Exhaust from factories
- Mining operations
- Indoor air pollution
- Suspended particle matter
What are some of the major health issues caused by air pollution?
Major health issues cause by air pollution are:
- Respiratory diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes
- Possible death
What are some effects of air pollution on Earth?
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
What are some methods to curb air pollution?
Some things we can do to reduce air pollution are:
- Public transportation
- Energy conservation
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Clean energy sources
- Using energy efficient devices
What is air needed for?
Air is needed for:
- Supply of energy to all living things
- Conducting medium for sound waves
- Transportation (birds, insects, etc)
What are the main substances in the atmosphere?
The 3 main substances in the atmosphere are:
- Nitrogen (78%)
- Oxygen (21%)
- Water Vapour
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is the ratio of water vapour in the air content compared to the maximum amount it could have at that temperature
Warm air can hold _____ water vapour than cold air.
more (forms in dew and frost)
What is insolation?
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
How does the greenhouse effect work?
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
How does conduction relate to the atmosphere?
Earth’s surface heats the air molecules that come in contact with Earth’s surface by conduction
How does convection relate to the atmosphere?
Heat travels through the atmosphere by convection
What layer of the atmosphere blocks gamma radiation?
The Thermosphere blocks gamma radiation
Which layer of the atmosphere has jet stream?
The Stratosphere has jet stream
Which layer of the atmosphere is the coldest?
The Mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere
What layer of the atmosphere do satellites orbit?
Satellites orbit in the Exosphere
What layers absorbs UV radiation?
Mostly the Stratosphere (ozone) and some UV radiation is absorbed in the Thermosphere layer
Which layer is difficult to study?
The Mesosphere is difficult to study
