EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE (UNIT 2)

Question 1

What is the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds earth, providing us with the air we need to breathe, and helping to regulate temperature and weather patterns.

Earths atmosphere makes conditions on Earth suitable for living, it traps energy from the sun keeping the Earth warm and water in liquid form and protects earth from dangerous radiation and meteor collisions.

Question 2

Three reasons why the atmosphere is important?

Answer 2

1) it contains the oxygen living beings need to breathe.

2) it maintains Earth’s temperature

3) It’s a shields against radiation and cosmic rays.

Question 3

What is the atmosphere made of?

Answer 3

A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth; made of nitrogen (78.0%), oxygen (20.9%), CO2 (0.02%), water vapour, and other gases (Trace gasses Ne He CH4 H2 Kr)

As well as particles of liquids and solids.

Question 4

Nitrogen ?

Answer 4

78.0%

Essential nutrient:
Key ingredient for making things grow

Plant growth: Plants use it to build important parts like leaves and proteins.

Food chain: plants are eaten by animals, so nitrogen helps create the basis of the food chain through plants.

Healthy ecosystem: nitrogen in the air gets converted for plants to use, keeping ecosystems balanced and thriving.

Question 5

Oxygen?

Answer 5

20.9%

Respiration:
Humans and animals use oxygen to release energy from food through a process called respiration.

Fire support:
02 helps things burn, like in fires and engines.

Ozone layer:
03 forms the ozone which shields us from harmful sun rays.

Question 6

Argon?

Answer 6

0.9%

No significant effects
Inert Filler
Stable Atmosphere

Question 7

Carbon dioxide?

Answer 7

0.02%

Greenhouse effect
Human influence
Plant food
Balance matters

Question 8

Troposphere?

Answer 8

Temperature (Celsius): 15 to -56.5
0 to 12-18 km

The troposphere is the closest layer to the earth and contains 75% of all the mass of the atmosphere, even though it is the thinnest.

Weather occurs here and we live within it.

It is the thickest at the equator and the thinnest at the poles, with an average thickness about 12km.

The troposphere is the warmest near earths surface and the air cools as convection currents carry it upwards.

The temperature drops until it levels off at the tropopause.

Question 9

Stratosphere?

Answer 9

-56.5 to -2.5
11-50km

The stratosphere is above the troposphere.

It contains the ozone layer, which protects Earths surface from dangerous UV radiation.

Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun, causing the temperature to increase throughout the stratosphere.

The temperature increases until the stratopause around 50km.

Question 10

Mesosphere?

Answer 10

-2.5 to -86.5
40-50 to 80-90 km

Is the middle layer. Most meteors burn up here.

This layer does not absorb energy from the sun, so it starts to cool again until the mesopause around 85km.

Question 11

Thermosphere?

Answer 11

-86.5 to 1200
80-90 to 800

In the thermosphere, the air is very very thin. The international space station and aurora boreal is are located within this layer.

Solar radiation first hits this layer, so the few particles that are here can gain a lot of energy. They move rapidly, so they have a very high temperature.

But the air is so thin here that it takes special instruments to measure the temperature correctly.

So even though it is very hot, it would feel cold because there are so few particles to transfer heat to you.

It is said to extend 690km, where the thermopause divides it from the next layer.

Question 12

Exosphere?

Answer 12

1200
800-3000
The outer edge of our atmosphere.

It extends for thousands of miles and gradually fades into space.

Satellites orbit here

Question 13

What is altitude?

Answer 13

Altitude or elevation is the distance above sea level. As altitude increases, air pressure decreases, which also decreases density.

Low density of air can make it difficult to breathe with less oxygen.

Question 14

What is air pressure?

Answer 14

The result of the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area; measure by an instrument called a barometer.

Gravity causes air to be pulled down towards earths surface.

There is more air pressure down at sea level than in the mountains, which leads to greater atmospheric pressure.

Question 15

Energy transfer? What is radiation?

Answer 15

Radiation is the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves, or energy that could travel through space.

99% of radiant energy from the sun that reaches earth is either:

1) visible light: majority of sunlight in the form of a mixture of all the colours you see in a rainbow (400nm-700nm). The cornea lets the light that bounces off objects enter the lens of the eyes.

2) infrared radiation: form of energy with wavelengths longer than visible light and is not visible but can be felt as heat. (750nm-1mm)

3) ultraviolet light: has short wavelengths that could break chemical bonds. (10nm-380nm)

Question 16

Greenhouse effect?

Answer 16

Greenhouse Effect:
As Sunlight enters the atmosphere, it is converted to infared radiation and is trapped by gases in the air, or greenhouse gases; a natural process to regulate temperature on Earth, which is one of the most important elements of weather

Question 17

How does the heating of the earth cause wind

Answer 17

How does the heating of the earth create wind?

• The area of the earth near the equator receives the most Solar radiation
• The unequal heating of the earth causes global winds

Question 18

What is wind?

Answer 18

The movement of wind from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

Local winds: blow over a short distance, created by unequal heating, occur within a small area, land, sea, mountain and valley breezes.

Global winds: blow steadily over long distance, created by unequal heating, occur over large area, global wind belts.

Question 19

Coriolis effect

Answer 19

Objects moving straight appear to curve when you are rotating.

As earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the northern hemisphere, but left in the southern hemisphere. Both the air and earth are circulating.

This deflection in called the coriolos effect.

Question 20

Coriolos effect explanation

Answer 20

Not every point in earth is travelling at the same speed.

If something travels a shorter distance in a longer amount of time, it is travelling slower.

Therefore points near the poles are spinning slower than regions near the equator.

Because earth is rotating global winds follow a curved path.

Question 21

What are the bio geochemical cycles?

Answer 21

Oxygen cycles
Carbon cycle, carbon provided supplements for all living things.
Nitrogen cycle

Question 22

How have humans altered the atmospheric cycles

Answer 22

Humans have accelerated the addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels.

Carbon dissolved in the ocean causes the ocean to become more acidic and threatening to ocean life.

Question 23

Air pollution?

Answer 23

The contamination of air by harmful substances including gas and smoke.

Point source pollution- pollution that comes from an identifiable source. (Smoke stacks and erupting volcanoes)

Non point source pollution- pollution that comes from a widespread area and cannot be traced back to one source. (A large city)

Question 24

Where does the majority of air pollution come from?

Answer 24

The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gasoline, and diesel fuels) which result in pollutants that include CO, nitrogen oxides, and SULFER dioxides.

These molecules rise to the atmosphere and react with moisture and oxygen and water to form acid compounds like nitric and sulphuric acid that rains down as acid rain.

Question 25

Nutrient cycle?

Answer 25

Atoms were either in air, rocks, soil, or water. Nutrient cycle is the recycling of matter.

Question 26

What is the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 26

Process by which nitrogen moves around in the ecosystem. It’s crucial to life as it’s needed for DNA RNA and proteins. Without nitrogen there is no life.

Question 27

Nitrogen cycle steps?

Answer 27

NITROGEN FIXATION:

N2 in the air is unreactive as it has a triple bond, so it can’t make important bio molecules. They are stuck together.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria break apart N2 and add hydrogen atoms to it to form ammonia or ammonium. This moves nitrogen to the soil so other living things can use it.

ASSIMILATION
Ammonia can be taken up by plants to make biomolecules so it’s the uptake and production of biological molecules.

NITRIFICATION:
Too much ammonia is toxic so plants prefer to assimilate other nitrogen compounds like nitrates.

Is the conversion of ammonia into nitrates. Done by nitrifying bacteria that oxidize ammonia by turning it into nitrites then nitrates. Better in well aerated soul. No3 can be assimilated too.

AMMONIFICATION:
once nitrogen is in the biomolecules of plants, it could be passed to animals through the food web then to predators.

All living things decompose so nitrogen is back in soil as ammonia through ammonificationn

DENYTRIFUCATION:
Denitrifying bacteria covert nitrates into N2 (best in low o2 environments as it reduces fertility.

Question 28

How does carbon cycle through our atmosphere?

Answer 28

Carbon cycles through our atmosphere very quickly and is slowly in the ocean like sediments.

Question 29

Asteroid collisions

Answer 29

Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. Impact events cause debris from the crater can cover the atmosphere releasing particles like Iridium, sulferic molecules, dust and soot, c02, h20, and ch4. These gases intensify the greenhouse effect. The dust ejected into the atmosphere can cause a nuclear winter effect called impact winter as it blocks sunlight from heating earth. It can also cause temperature spikes from the large release of energy, and damaged ozone layer. Over time, it intensifies the greenhouse effect as gases from the crater and rocks are released and intensify the greenhouse effect. To study the aftermath, researchers can use crater samples, model studies, LIDAR scans, and temperature spikes. It puts earth at risk of water damage, extinction, temperature changes, atmospheric damage, wildfires, and more.

Question 30

Industrial Revolution

Answer 30

1760-1840. The Industrial Revolution was a time when societies shifted from manual crafting to using machines for mass production. Caused by advancements in technology and the desire to increase production efficiency.

primarily in Britain, due to a combination of factors like the emergence of capitalism and imperialism. Britain had a stable political environment, abundant coal and iron resources, and a skilled workforce.

In the United States, industrialization followed a similar path, but it was marked by greater reliance on technological innovation, vast natural resources, and less government intervention compared to Britain.

The Agricultural Revolution preceding it increased food production and freed up labour for industrial work.

The Industrial Revolution significantly impacted the atmosphere and climate by increasing the burning of coal and releasing greenhouse gases, contributing to air pollution and global warming over time.

Question 31

6 climatic events

Answer 31

1.Great Oxygenation Event: Emergence of oxygen-producing organisms, leading to increased oxygen levels.

2. Volcanic Activity: Eruptions releasing gases like CO2, sulfur dioxide, and aerosols.

3.Snowball Earth Events: Periods of extreme cold affecting greenhouse gas levels.

4.Asteroid Collisions: Impact events releasing dust and gases into the atmosphere.

5.Mass Extinctions: Environmental changes altering atmospheric balance and composition.

6.Industrial Revolution: Burning of fossil fuels contributing to elevated CO2 levels.

These events have had significant impacts on Earth’s atmosphere and the evolution of its climate system.

Question 32

5 technologies?

Answer 32

Earth orbiting satalites

Drones

Weather balloons

Radiosondes

Rocketsondes

Question 33

Earth orbiting satalites

Answer 33

• High-tech satellites circle Earth from space.
• Instruments onboard measure atmospheric gases and their concentrations.
• Provide wide coverage and long-term data collection

Question 34

Drones

Answer 34

Small aircraft operated remotely or autonomously.
• Equipped with sensors to measure gases, temperature, and more.
• Can fly at various altitudes, including lower levels where data is needed.

Question 35

Weather balloons

Answer 35

• Large balloons filled with helium or hydrogen.
• Carry instruments called radiosondes to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and sometimes gases.
• Balloons rise high in the atmosphere before bursting and the radiosonde falls back with data.

Question 36

Weather balloons

Answer 36

• Large balloons filled with helium or hydrogen.
• Carry instruments called radiosondes to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and sometimes gases.
• Balloons rise high in the atmosphere before bursting and the radiosonde falls back with data.

Question 37

Radiosondes

Answer 37

•Transmit data back to ground stations via radio signals.
•Measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and sometimes gas concentrations.

Question 38

Rocketsondes

Answer 38

• Instruments attached to sounding rockets.
Rockets shoot up at high speeds, collecting data on their ascent.
• Provide quick vertical profiles of the atmosphere.

Question 39

Oxygen Cycle

Answer 39

Photosynthesis: Plants and algae capture carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce oxygen and glucose during photosynthesis.

Respiration (plant and animal): All living organisms use oxygen to break down glucose and release energy, which leads to the production of carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Decomposition: When organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, decomposes, oxygen is consumed by the decomposer organisms in the process, releasing carbon dioxide, water, and other compounds.

They become fossil fuels that are used for industrial combustion.

Combustion: Oxygen is consumed when fuels are burned for energy, producing carbon dioxide, water vapour, and heat.

Photolysis, sunlight breaks oxygen containing compounds and frees oxygen to the atmosphere

Question 40

Carbon cycle:

Answer 40

• starts with the sun: plants take in sunlight and CO2 from the air through the process of photosynthesis. In this process they release oxygen.

• carbon fixation by consumers: animals eat the plants that contain carbon and store it as energy

• animal respiration: these animals also breath out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

• decomposition: the animals eventually die and when they decompose under high pressure they are turned into fossil fuels. These are a storage for CO2

• fossil fuel combustion: manufactures burn these fossil fuels for energy which release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.