Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Sci Test Feb. 12 > Atmosphere & Pollution > Flashcards

Atmosphere & Pollution Flashcards

1
Q

What are 2 types of barometers?

What are the main differences between them?

A

Mercury and Aneroid

Mercury use a liquid to indicate changes in air pressure & aneroid do not

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How are Mass & Air Pressure related?

A

If there is more mass in a given volume of air, it will exert greater air pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How are Mass and density related?

A

If there is more mass in a given volume of air, then the density is greater

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do barometers work: why must there be a near vacuum inside the tube of a mercury barometer?

A

So that there is little air pressure inside the tube and the mercury can rise inside the tube

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Density

A

The amount of mass of a substance in a given volume

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Pressure

A

The amount of force pushing on an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Air Pressure

A

The pressure caused by the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Barometer

A

An instrument used to measure changes in air pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Aneroid Barometer

A

Measures changes in air pressure without using a liquid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Altitude

A

Elevation above sea level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Troposphere

A

The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.

Rain, snow & storms occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Stratosphere

A

The second lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. Contains the Ozone Layer.
This layer protects Earth from meteors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Mesosphere

A

The third lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is immediately above the Stratosphere. It is where most meteoroids burn up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Thermosphere

A

The outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. It begins 80 km above the surface and extends to about 400 km.
It’s divided into 2 layers: Ionosphere & Exosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Ionosphere:

Define, plus 3 facts

A

The lower part of the Thermosphere.

  • The Aurora Borealis occurs here.
  • Radio waves bounce off the ions and back to Earth’s surface.
  • Ions form in this layer
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Exosphere

A

Outer portion of the Thermosphere. It extends from 400 km outwards for thousands of km’s

17
Q

Ozone (Layer)

A

Protects earth from Ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Converts the energy from the sun into heat.

18
Q

Ozone

A

A form of oxygen that has 3 oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual 2.
Formed when lighting interacts with oxygen in the air

19
Q

Nitrogen

A

Most abundant gas in the atmosphere (3/4 of the air we breathe). Each molecule consists of 2 nitrogen atoms

20
Q

Oxygen

A

Second most abundant gas in the atmosphere (makes up less than 1/4 of the volume).
Plants and animals take oxygen directly from the air and use it to release energy from their food

21
Q

Compare the Stratosphere & the Mesosphere:

A

In the Mesosphere the temperature drops as altitude increases
In the Stratosphere temperature generally increases as altitude increases

22
Q

Why is the Mesosphere colder than the Stratosphere?

A

It contains few ozone molecules to absorb solar radiation

23
Q

Why is the Thermosphere very hot?

A

The sun strikes this layer first

24
Q

Characteristics of the Thermosphere:

What do you notice about the point where each layer begins?

A

It is near the point where the direction of temperature change levels off or reverses

25
Q

Characteristics of the Troposphere:

A

*Tropo means “Changing” and conditions change more here than in any other layer. As altitude increases, temperature decreases.

26
Q

Characteristics of the Stratosphere:

A
  • Temperature increases with altitude

* The middle part contains ozone that absorbs energy from the sun and converts it to heat

27
Q

Why is the ozone layer important to Earth?

A

It protects living things from dangerous ultraviolet radiation

28
Q

What are the major sources of air pollution?

A

Some occur naturally (forest fires, soil erosion) Most are from human activities (burning fossil fuels-coal, oil, gas)
Cars & motor vehicles are the #1 cause!
Factories & power plants burning coal
Farming & construction send soil & dust into the air

29
Q

Why is air pollution still a problem?

A

Even though cars & power plants pollute less, there are more of them!

30
Q

Pollutants

A

Harmful substances in the air, water, or soil.

Ex: Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Sulfur Dioxide, soot, smoke.

31
Q

Acid Rain

A

Caused by burning fossil fuels.

Burning coal produces Sulfur Oxides. This combines with Nitrogen oxides & water.

32
Q

What health issues are caused by air pollution?

A

Breathing problems, asthma, lung damage, eye nose & throat irritation, reduced ability of blood to deliver oxygen to cells

Sci Test Feb. 12 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions