Earth Science and Physics Test

Question 1

Define troposphere

Answer 1

the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface. The particles of the air are packed most closely in this layer and they spread out further away from the surface.

Question 2

Define stratosphere

Answer 2

the second layer of the atmosphere up to about 55 km above the Earth’s surface, between the troposphere and the mesosphere

Question 3

Define ozone layer

Answer 3

a layer in the stratosphere, about 25 km above Earth, that has high concentrations of ozone gas. The ozone layer absorbs over 90 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet light

Question 4

define chlorofluorocarbons

Answer 4

organic compounds used as coolant agents, propellants in aerosols, and solvents. Their manufacture is being phased out as they also cause damage to the ozone layer.

Question 5

Define the carbon cycle

Answer 5

The carbon cycle models how carbon moves through the biosphere. Carbon travels from the non-living atmosphere to living things when carbon dioxide is absorbed by photosynthetic organisms (such as plants).

Question 6

Define radiant heat

Answer 6

heat transferred by radiation, as from the sun to the Earth

Question 7

Define the greenhouse effect

Answer 7

a natural effect of the Earth’s atmosphere trapping heat, which keeps the Earth’s temperature stable. The sun’s energy passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth. Heat energy radiated from the Earth cannot pass through the atmosphere and is trapped.

Question 8

Define greenhouse gasses

Answer 8

gases found in the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping the sun’s heat (for example, carbon dioxide)

Question 9

Define enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 9

an intensification of the greenhouse effect caused by pollution adding more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere; associated with global warming

Question 10

Define global warming

Answer 10

the observed rise in the average near-surface temperature of the Earth

Question 11

Define cellular respiration

Answer 11

the chemical reaction involving oxygen that moves the energy in glucose into the compound ATP. The body is able to use the energy contained in ATP.

Question 12

Define ice cores

Answer 12

samples of ice extracted from ice sheets containing a build-up of dust, gases and other substances trapped over time

Question 13

Define permafrost

Answer 13

soil on or below the surface of very high mountains in the polar regions that is permanently frozen

Question 14

define geosequestration

Answer 14

the process that involves separating carbon dioxide from other flue gases, compressing it and piping it to a suitable site

Question 15

define speed

Answer 15

The rate of change of distance with respect to time

Question 16

Define velocity

Answer 16

Rate of change of displacement with respect to time

Question 17

define displacement

Answer 17

Distance between origin and destination

Question 18

what are the four main layers of the atmosphere

Answer 18

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere

Question 19

what are 4 characteristics of the Troposphere

Answer 19

1. Where weather occurs (water cycle)
2. 90% of atmospheres mass
3. Temp decreases with altitude, 6 degrees C, averages -50 at top
4. 16km at equator, 8km at poles

Question 20

what are 3 characteristics of the stratosphere

Answer 20

1. extends from 10km to 50km above ground
2. Contains high levels of ozone
3. Less dense and temp increases with altitude

Question 21

what are 3 characteristics of the Mesosphere

Answer 21

1. Extends 80 km high
2. Gases absorb very little UV radiation
3. Gases are less dense, temp decreases with altitude

Question 22

what are 3 characteristics of the Thermosphere

Answer 22

1. Extends to almost 600km high
2. Temp increases with altitude
3. Reflects radio waves and temps get as hot as 1,500 degrees

Question 23

what are all the layers of the atmosphere

Answer 23

Troposphere > Tropopause > Stratosphere > Stratopause > Mesosphere > Mesopause > Thermosphere > Exosphere

Question 24

what does the pause mean in tropopause, stratopause etc

Answer 24

a pause in temperature change

Question 25

what is the atmosphere made up of?

Answer 25

78. 1% nitrogen
79. 9% Oxygen
80. 9% Argon
81. 035% CO2 and rising

Question 26

why is there so much nitrogen in the atmosphere

Answer 26

Most stable gas, reacts with nothing and stays in the atmosphere forever

Question 27

study carbon cycle diagram then test

Answer 27

ur bad

Question 28

What gasses are involved in global warming

Answer 28

Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Methane and CFCs

Question 29

what is the major cause of global warming

Answer 29

The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil has resulted in increased levels of greenhouse gasses (such as nitrous oxide and co2) in our atmosphere that are trapping heat, causing the atmosphere to heat

Question 30

what are two other causes of global warming

Answer 30

Grazing animals like cattle and sheep produce large amounts of methane as a waste product. most of the nitrous oxide is produced by the action of bacteria on fertilized soil and urine of grazing animals

Question 31

what are 5 effects of global warming

Answer 31

Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, ocean acidification and increased coastal flooding

Question 32

what are 3 solutions to global warming

Answer 32

Use renewable energy (wind or solar), stop using fossil fuels and invest in energy efficient appliances

Question 33

How do you calculate average speed

Answer 33

distance over time (d/t)

Question 34

How to you calculate average Velocity

Answer 34

displacement over time (s/t)

Question 35

what does V and U stand for when calculating acceleration

Answer 35

v - Final Velocity

u - Initial velocity

Question 36

How do you convert hours to seconds, seconds to hours

Answer 36

hours to minutes (x60) minutes to seconds (x60)

seconds to minutes (÷60) minutes to hours (÷60))

Question 37

how to you convert cm to km, km to cm

Answer 37

cm to m (÷100) m to km (÷1000)

km to m (x1000) m to cm (x100)

Question 38

how do you convert ms-1 to kmh -1 (per second)

Answer 38

ms-1 to kmh-1 (x3.6)

kmh-1 to ms-1 (÷3.6)

Question 39

how do you calculate average acceleration

Answer 39

acceleration = V - U over T

Question 40

Define acceleration

Answer 40

The change in speed in metres per second per second