Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Weather and Climate > Earth's Atmosphere > Flashcards

Earth's Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Which gas exists in Earth’s atmosphere in the largest percentage?

A

Nitrogen (78%)

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

Which gas makes up about 21% of Earth’s atmosphere?

A

Oxygen

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

Which gas is not included in the percentages of Dry Air in the atmosphere?

A

Water Vapor. The amount varies by location and from day to day. The other gases are more consistent.

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

How is nitrogen gas from the atmosphere converted to usable forms?

A

Nitrogen fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb through their roots.

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

How is nitrogen important to living organisms?

A

Nitrogen is an important element in the formation of proteins.

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

What are the two forms of oxygen in the atmosphere?

A

Diatomic oxygen and triatomic ozone.

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

What are two uses for diatomic oxygen?

A

It is used by animals in cellular respiration, and it is needed for the chemical reaction of combustion.

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

What are two forms of combustion?

A

Burning is an example of rapid combustion, while rusting is an example of slow combustion.

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

How does ozone protect organisms?

A

The ozone layer prevents most of the UV radiation from the Sun from reaching Earth’s surface.

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

What are two benefits of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

A

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that helps keep the Earth at a temperature for living organisms to exist. Carbon dioxide is also used by plants during photosynthesis.

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

What is the source of water vapor in the atmosphere?

A

Evaporation from surface water and transpiration from plants.

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

What are some forms of water in the atmosphere?

A

Water can be an invisible gas in the form of water vapor. Small water droplets can form clouds. Small ice crystals can also form clouds. Precipitation leaves the atmosphere and falls to Earth’s surface.

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

Why is water vapor in the atmosphere important?

A

It is the source of freshwater when it falls to Earth’s surface. Organisms need fresh water to survive.

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

What causes air pressure?

A

The column of gases pressing down on an area.

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

How does air pressure change with altitude?

A

As altitude increases, the air pressure decreases. This is because the column of air is smaller and the density of air is less.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the two types of barometers?

A

Aneroid barometer and mercury barometer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does a barometer measure?

A

Air pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are two common units for air pressure?

A

Inches of mercury and millibars.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How is pressure calculated?

A

Pressure is force divide by area.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How is area calculated?

A

Area is length X width

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which layer of the Atmosphere is closest to Earth’s surface?

A

The troposphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

In which layer of the Earth contains 75% to 90% of all gases?

A

The troposphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why is weather mostly found in the troposphere?

A

The layer closest to Earth’s surface will have water entering and leaving it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Why are most of the gases in the atmosphere located in the troposphere?

A

This layer is closest to Earth’s surface, so gravity force is stronger and the column of air pressing down is larger.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere called?

A

The tropopause

26
Q

Where are the jet streams located?

A

At the top of the tropopause

27
Q

In which layer do airplanes fly to avoid weather?

A

The stratosphere?

28
Q

How does the temperature change between Earth’s surface and the top of the troposphere?

A

The temperature decreases

29
Q

In which layer is the ozone layer found?

A

The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere.

30
Q

How does the temperature change from the bottom to the top of the stratosphere?

A

The temperature increases because of the radiation absorbed by the ozone layer.

31
Q

What is the boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere called?

A

The stratopause

32
Q

Which layer of the atmosphere is the coldest?

A

The mesosphere

33
Q

In which layer (according to many sources) do meteors burn up?

A

The mesosphere. (Other sources state the Thermosphere)

34
Q

How does the temperature change from the bottom to the top of the mesosphere?

A

The temperature decreases.

35
Q

What is the name of the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere?

A

The mesopause

36
Q

Which layer is the warmest layer of the atmosphere?

A

The thermosphere

37
Q

What is the name of the layer within the thermosphere where incoming radiation ionizes the gas molecules?

A

The ionosphere

38
Q

On which layer of the atmosphere can radio waves be bounced to increase the distance that they are transmitted?

A

The thermosphere

39
Q

In which layer of the atmosphere do ionized gases form auroras? (The northern lights and the southern lights)

A

The thermosphere

40
Q

Which layer of the atmosphere is the thickest?

A

The thermosphere

41
Q

Which layer of the atmosphere “blends” into space?

A

The exosphere

42
Q

What are three natural sources of air pollution?

A

Forest fires, volcanoes, and dust storms

43
Q

What are three man-made sources of air pollution?

A

Agriculture, construction, and burning fossil fuels

44
Q

What is currently the largest contributor to air pollution?

A

The burning of fossil fuels

45
Q

Where are three places that burn fossil fuels?

A

Vehicles, electric utilities, and industries

46
Q

What is smog

A

Air pollution that forms smokey fog

47
Q

What is photochemical smog?

A

Another name for “bad” ozone

48
Q

How does photochemical smog form?

A

The chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides and VOC’s in the presence of light.

49
Q

Why is photochemical smog more likely to be a problem in the summer?

A

There is more hours of daylight in the summer.

50
Q

What is acid rain?

A

Precipitation with a low pH.

51
Q

What causes acid rain?

A

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acid.

52
Q

How is acid rain harmful?

A

Acid rain can change the pH of soil and surface water. This can leach necessary nutrients out of the soil, and create habitats where other organisms can’t survive. It can also destroy man-made structures.

53
Q

How is the ozone layer depleted?

A

Chemicals such as CFC’s interact with the ozone molecules, leaving them as diatomic oxygen.

54
Q

What harms can arise to humans from too much UV radiation?

A

Cataracts, skin cancer and impaired immune systems.

55
Q

What harms can arise to other living things from too much UV radiation?

A

It can damage sensitive crops, decrease crop yields, and stress marine phytoplankton.

56
Q

How can individuals help decrease ozone depletion?

A

Keep the thermostat high in the summer, insulate homes, and practice other conservation efforts to decrease the amount of energy used.

57
Q

Why is air pollution also a problem in rural areas?

A

The wind can carry the pollutants hundreds of miles away from their source.

58
Q

What are some harms to humans from photochemical smog/”bad” ozone?

A

It can irritate the lungs, can worsen lung diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma, and can decrease lung function.

59
Q

What is the name of the federal agency that is responsible for regulating air quality?

A

The Environmental Protection Agency

60
Q

What is the layer of gases that surround a planet, moon or other celestial body called?

A

An atmosphere

Weather and Climate (4 decks)

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