Composition of Earth's Atmosphere

Question 1

What are constant gases?

Answer 1

found in the lower 100 km. 99% of constant gases are nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%)

Question 2

What are the variable gases?

Answer 2

includes the heterosphere, above 100 km where gases become lighter and less in abundance
-carbon dioxide, -water vapor, -ozone

Question 3

Define Aerosol:

Answer 3

(particulates) are mostly fine solid and liquid floating particles

Question 4

_ _ play important roles in cloud formation and in the energy budget of the Earth

Answer 4

Atmospheric Particulates

Question 5

What are the three forms of oxygen?

Answer 5

Molecular oxygen (O2)
Atomic oxygen (O)
Ozone (O3)

Question 6

Define Air:

Answer 6

a mixture of distinct gases

Question 7

What are the 4 major components of clean dry air?

Answer 7

Nitrogen (N) – 78.1%
Oxygen (O2) – 20.9%
Argon and other gases – 0.964%
Carbon dioxide (CO2) – 0.036% – absorbs heat energy from Earth

Question 8

Where is the ozone located?

Answer 8

Concentrated in Stratosphere and absorbs harmful UV radiation

Question 9

Define atmospheric pressure:

Answer 9

(Variable) the weight of the air

Question 10

How much air lies above the 3.5 mile mark from the Earth’s surface?

Answer 10

50% of our air is gone

Question 11

Define Troposphere:

Answer 11

Bottom layer, Temperature decreases with altitude – environmental lapse rate
(~3.5˚F/1000ft)
Weather takes place here

Question 12

Define Stratosphere(in this unit):

Answer 12

Temperature increases with

altitude. Found above the Troposphere and contains the Ozone layer.

Question 13

Define Mesosphere:

Answer 13

Temperature decreases with altitude . Located above Stratosphere.

Question 14

Define Thermosphere:

Answer 14

No well-defined upper limit

Fraction of atmosphere’s mass. Located at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 15

How much air lies above the 9 mile mark from the Earth’s surface?

Answer 15

90% of the air is gone