The composition of the Atmosphere

Question 1

What is the atmosphere

Answer 1

A mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth and is held in place by gravity

Question 2

Why is the atmosphere important

Answer 2

• Provides vital life support systems e.g. protection from solar radiation
• Gas resources
• Aids transport of energy and water around the globe

Question 3

What is gases is the atmosphere composed of

Answer 3

• Nitrogen
• Oxygen
• CO2
• Rare gases
• Ozone

Question 4

What is dynamic equilibrium

Answer 4

When things change all the time but stay roughly balanced

Question 5

What is the word equation for photosynthesis

Answer 5

Carbon dioxide + water –> glucose + oxygen

Question 6

What is the word equation for respiration

Answer 6

Glucose + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + energy

Question 7

What happens during respiration

Answer 7

Glucose and oxygen is absorbed and produces carbon dioxide and water which releases energy

Question 8

What happens during photosynthesis

Answer 8

A photosynthesiser absorbs carbon dioxide and water and in the presence of sunlight produces glucose and oxygen

Question 9

When do plants respire

Answer 9

All the time

Question 10

What is respiration responsible for contributing a lot of into the atmosphere

Answer 10

Carbon dioxide

Question 11

What is transpiration

Answer 11

The exhalation of water vapour through the stomata (essentially evaporation of water from the leaves of plants)

Question 12

What are the four layers of the atmosphere

Answer 12

• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere

Question 13

What are the three boundary names of the layers of the atmosphere

Answer 13

• Tropopause
• Stratopause
• Mesopause

Question 14

What happens to temperature in the troposphere

Answer 14

Temperature decrease

Question 15

What happens to temperature in the stratosphere

Answer 15

Temperature increases

Question 16

What happens to temperature in the mesosphere

Answer 16

Temperature decreases

Question 17

What happens to temperature in the thermosphere

Answer 17

Temperature increases

Question 18

Which two layers of the atmosphere are affected by human activities

Answer 18

• Troposphere
• Stratosphere

Question 19

What causes temperature to increase in the stratosphere

Answer 19

Presence of ozone (O3) causes temperature to increase

Question 20

Why does ozone cause in the stratosphere cause temperature to increase

Answer 20

Ozone molecules absorb solar UV radiation which creates heat

Question 21

Why does temperature decrease in the mesosphere after it increasing in the stratosphere

Answer 21

The mesosphere does not have as much ozone in it as the stratosphere

Question 22

What is the stratosphere

Answer 22

The layer of the Earth’s atmosphere above the troposphere extending about 50km above the Earth’s surface

Question 23

What is the troposphere

Answer 23

The lowest region in the atmosphere extending from the Earth’s surface to a height of 10km

Question 24

What is ozone

Answer 24

A highly reactive gas composed of oxygen molecules (O3)

Question 25

How does air density and air pressure change with altitude

Answer 25

Air pressure and air density increases at lower altitudes (both increase with decrease with altitude)
Air pressure and air density decreases at higher altitudes (both decrease with increase with altitude)