Chapter 5.3 Study Guide

Question 1

List the gases that make up the atmosphere

Answer 1

nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases

Question 2

The nitrogen cycle, is bacteria involved? Does it convert nitrogen gas into living matter? Is the nitrogen cycle the way human cells get the nitrogen they need?

Answer 2

Yes to all.
The Nitrogen Cycle:
Nitrogen → nitrogen molecules with bacteria (from the soil) → plants absorb the molecules → plants make proteins → people and animals eat the plants, ingesting nitrogen/proteins → nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere

Question 3

Carbon and storing carbon

Answer 3

stored in the gas we exhale

Question 4

Altitude

Answer 4

a measure of the distance an object is above sea level; usually the object is airborne

Question 5

Atmospheric pressure definition and how humans adapt to it

Answer 5

a measure of the force per unit area of air molecules in the atmosphere at a given altitude. humans have adapted to it because the forces in and outside our bodies are balanced.

Question 6

Troposphere

Answer 6

a layer of atmosphere that occurs from 0 to about 11 kilometers above Earth’s surface; where all weather occurs.

Question 7

Stratopshere

Answer 7

a layer of atmosphere that occurs from about 11 to 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface; the location of the ozone layer

Question 8

Mesosphere

Answer 8

a layer of atmosphere that occurs from about 50 to 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface; the coldest layer

Question 9

Thermosphere

Answer 9

a layer of atmosphere that occurs from about 80 to 500 kilometers above Earth’s surface; has low molecule density and a very high temp

Question 10

Exosphere

Answer 10

the region of atmosphere that begins at about 500 kilometers and extends into space; where satellites orbit

Question 11

Ionosphere

Answer 11

portions of the atmosphere in the region of the thermosphere where electricity can be transmitted

Question 12

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 12

a gas that slows down Earth’s heat releasing process

Question 13

Specific heat and heating different surfaces (land vs. ocean)

Answer 13

Specific Heat: the amount of energy needed to raise the temp of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree celsius
Water absorbs more heat than land

Question 14

Rotation and Revolution

Answer 14

Rotation: the motion of Earth spinning on it’s axis; one rotation is called a day
Revolution: the motion of the sun; one revolution is called a year

Question 15

Why does Earth have seasons?

Answer 15

because it’s tilted on it’s axis

Question 16

Axis and axial tilt of Earth

Answer 16

23.5° tilt, an imaginary line that the Earth spins on

Question 17

The Earth is just right, hot too hot or too cold

Answer 17

Earth turns fast enough so night isn’t able to be as cold

Question 18

Barometer

Answer 18

an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure

Question 19

CFC’s

Answer 19

-stays intact until reaching the stratosphere (6-26 years)
-breaks down and releasees chlorine
- chlorine interacts with ozone molecules, turns back into oxygen
-leaves less protection in the ozone layer (oxygen doesn’t protect from UV’s)