Atmosphere Composition & Layers Flashcards
what is Earth’s atmosphere composed of?
air
air is a mixture of…
gases and suspended particles
What three gases comprise air?
nitrogen, oxygen, argon
In EArth’s atompherse there are small quantities of ____ and _____
CO2, CH4
The atmosphere is ______ percent nitrogen and _______ percent oxygen
78, 20
what are two trace gases?
carbon dioxide and methane
what important properties do some trace gases have?
absorb radiation - protect and warm
Trace gases that absorb radiation are called…
greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases are trace gases that absorb ______
radiation
What are the four main layers of the atmosphere?
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
what are the boundaries in-between the four main layers of the atmosphere called?
pauses
pauses are the the_______ of four main layers of the _______
boundaries, atmosphere
Which is the lowest layer of the atmosphere?
troposphere
where all human activity occurs.
The troposphere is kept warm by Earth’s ______
surface
as you go higher in the troposphere, the temperature ______
drops