Science Test: The Atmosphere

Select the item that matches. 1. nitrogen: ____________ 2. oxygen: _____________ 3. reflects radio waves: ____________ 4. amount of radiation reflected: _________________ 5. amount of solar radiation reaching ground: _____________ 6. carbon dioxide: ______________ 7. absorbs ultraviolet rays: _______________

1. 78% of atmosphere 2. 21% of atmosphere 3. ionosphere 4. 40% 5. 40% 6. needed for photosynthesis 7. ozonosphere

Identify the following: necessary organisms in nitrogen cycle: _____________ release of nitrogen from nitrogen compounds: __________ process of obtaining energy from food: _______________ forms as water vapor condenses: __________ use plants for food: __________

1. bacteria and plants 2. denitrification 3. respiration 4. water droplets 5. people and animals

The atmosphere extends up to an altitude of about _____.

200 miles

Oxygen makes up about ___________% of the atmosphere.

21

Half of the mass of the atmosphere is found below an altitude of __________ because the air is compressed by the __________ of the overlying atmosphere.

3 1/2, weight

What percentage of the total incoming radiation to the Earth is lost by reflection?

40

What percentage of the total incoming radiation to the Earth reaches the ground?

40

______________ rain has an adverse effect on aquatic life in lakes and streams and can also _____________ steel buildings and statues.

Acid, erode

The rapid reduction in life spans after Noah's flood may be due to _____. --reduction in shielding effects of the current atmosphere --a change in the properties of the atmosphere --increase in radiation after the flood --all of the above

All of the above

Which statements are true about all the natural chemical cycles?

Each cycle affects other cycles, Human activity has upset cycles in local areas, All the natural cycles work together to support life

At this time, it is uncertain whether temperature data indicates that the Earth's atmosphere is becoming warmer. --True --False

False

Clouds consist of water vapor. --True --False

False

Exposure to radiation helps people to live longer. --True --False

False

Long-wave radiation from the ground passes through the atmosphere without absorption. --True --False

False

Most smoke and soot are produced by forest fires. --True --False

False

Nitrogen dioxide reacts with the sunlight and combines with particles from smoke and soot to form industrial smog. --True --False

False

Ozone is formed from helium in the upper atmosphere. --True --False

False

People can expect worldwide governmental agencies and regulations to "clean up" all the environmental problems. --True --False

False

Plants are capable of using nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. --True --False

False

The atmosphere stores much more carbon dioxide than the oceans. --True --False

False

The burning of hydrocarbons does not cause pollution. --True --False

False

The long-term effects of pollution on the natural cycles of the Earth have been scientifically proven. --True --False

False

The sun provides the main source of energy for many of the phenomena that occur on Earth. --True --False

False

The temperature of a spacecraft orbiting in the thermosphere or ionosphere would result from the effect of the extremely hot gases of the upper atmosphere. --True --False

False

The total amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is estimated to have decreased by 10 to 15 percent since 1900. --True --False

False

God gave people the responsibility to rule the Earth in:

Genesis 1:26

_______________ separates the layered gases in the thermosphere by their _______________.

Gravity, density

How does the temperature of the gases in the thermosphere change?

It increases with altitude.

The two most abundant gases in our atmosphere are:

Oxygen, Nitrogen

The total range of energy which reaches the Earth from the sun is called the ______________.

Solar spectrum

The hottest layer of the atmosphere is the __________.

Thermosphere

Air pollution may have a greater effect on health than on atmospheric temperature. --True --False

True

Carbon dioxide dissolves easily in water. --True --False

True

Carbon is restored to the atmosphere when animals decompose. --True --False

True

Only plants are capable of making protein directly from nitrates. --True --False

True

The Earth does not appear to be gaining or losing heat as a planet in space. --True --False

True

The overall long-term effects of air pollution are not yet certain. --True --False

True

The water cycle was described in the Scriptures long before modern scientists understood it. --True --False

True

Transpiration is evaporation from plants. --True --False

True

X-rays are less dangerous to health than ultraviolet radiation. --True --False

True

Water plants and __________ can experience excessive growth if large quantities of __________ is carried into bodies of water by run-off.

algae, phosphorus

Nitrogen released from decaying organisms is in the form of ________.

ammonia

The amount of ________________ around a planet will moderate its temperature.

atmosphere

Streamers or bands of light appearing in the sky at night, especially in polar regions.

aurora

The largest source of air pollution is:

automobiles

Exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation can be harmful to your _____.

body, health, skin

The Earth's _____________ provides protection from meteorite impacts by causing them to be ____________.

break up

The burning of fossil fuels will release __________ into the carbon-oxygen cycle.

carbon

A by-product of respiration which is necessary for photosynthesis is _____________.

carbon dioxide

Respiration releases:

carbon dioxide

The waste products of respiration are water and:

carbon dioxide

Interfering with the transportation of oxygen and dulling the mental performance of a person are two of the effects of:

carbon monoxide

The automobile engine is the largest source of _________ gas.

carbon monoxide

The automobile engine is the largest source of ___________ gas.

carbon monoxide

When fuels are burned without enough oxygen, ___________ is formed.

carbon monoxide

The three primary pollutant gases are _____.

carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide

Feeding on other animals

carnivorous

The three primary sources of air pollution are _____.

cars, factories, electric power plants

The three primary sources of air pollution are:

cars, factories, electric power plants

Numerous microscopic water droplets which have condensed on dust and float in the air form __________.

clouds

Most sulfur oxides are produced by burning:

coal

People return carbon stored in fossil fuels to the carbon-oxygen cycle by burning:

coal and oil

Process by which water vapor changes into liquid water.

condensation

The process of changing a gas to a liquid is known as:

condensation

As you climb through the mesosphere, the temperature:

decreases

As you climb through the troposphere, the temperature:

decreases

Process by which certain bacteria break down nitrogen compounds and release nitrogen.

denitrification

The atmospheric gases in the thermosphere are heated _____.

directly by the sun

People were given __________ over the entire Earth. Therefore people have the responsibility and the __________ to protect the environment if he or she uses Godly _____________.

dominion, ability, wisdom

Rain drops are formed by water vapor condensing on _____.

dust

The ionosphere is classified by its _____.

electrical properties

According to the text, the ratio of the total amount of precipitation compared with the total amount of evaporation for the entire Earth is:

equal

Radiation balance means that the amount of radiation gained by the atmosphere __________ the amount of heat lost to space.

equals

Heat is necessary for water to:

evaporate

According to the water cycle chart, most of the precipitation reaching the Earth _____.

evaporates

Process by which liquid water changes into water vapor.

evaporation

The process of changing a liquid to a gas is called:

evaporation

Process by which certain bacteria convert nitrogen in the soil into nitrogen compounds.

fixation

All animals and people receive carbon from ___________.

food

Remains or evidence of an organism that once lived, preserved in rock.

fossils

The two basic types of air pollutants are _____.

gases, particulates

Transfer of heat energy around the Earth from uneven heating of its surface is accomplished by __________ air ______________ patterns.

global, circulation

The Earth's _____________ retains the atmosphere from dissipating into space.

gravity

The trapping of heat by carbon dioxide and water vapor is known as the:

greenhouse effect

The temperature of the mesosphere decreases with altitude because it is ______________.

heated from below by the ozone layer

Rain falls when the suspended water droplets become too ___________.

heavy

Feeding on grass or other plants.

herbivorous

Nitrogen combines with oxygen and forms nitrogen oxide at:

high temperatures

For study, the Earth can be divided into three parts:

hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere

As you climb through the thermosphere, the temperature:

increases

As you climb through the upper stratosphere, the temperature:

increases

All the natural cycles of the Earth are ______.

interrelated

An electrically charged atom.

ion

The layer of atmosphere containing ions; above the stratosphere.

ionosphere

Atoms which lose electrons and become electrically charged are called ____________.

ions

As you climb through the lower stratosphere, the temperature:

is constant

The heat which radiates outward from the Earth's surface is transformed into _______________-wave radiation.

long

In a person's body, sulfur oxides combine with water vapor in the _____________ to form sulfuric acid.

lungs

Carbon monoxide, even in small amounts, can dull the _____________ abilities.

mental

The layer of the atmosphere just above the stratosphere.

mesosphere

The layer that is warmed from below by the ozonosphere is the ________.

mesosphere

Mass of stone or metal that has passed through the atmosphere and has struck the Earth's surface.

meteorite

Mass of stone or metal traveling through space.

meteoroid

What is the effect on pollution when cold air becomes trapped under warm air?

more pollutants accumulate

What is the effect on pollution when cool air becomes trapped under warm air?

more pollutants accumulate

A farmer may plow back legumes into the soil because they collect excess ____________.

nitrates

Nitrogen fixation is a process that changes nitrogen into ___________ compounds.

nitrogen

The process by which bacteria produces nitrogen compounds is called ___________.

nitrogen fixation

The effect of the stratosphere being colder at the bottom than at the top is:

no vertical air movement

Carbon dioxide is kept at a constant level by an exchange between the atmosphere and:

oceans

What sources release water vapor by evaporation?

oceans, lakes, soil, animals, streams

Coal, oil, and natural gas are formed from __________(plant and animal) remains as a result of ____________ burial.

organic, rapid

The Carbon-Oxygen cycle is regulated by three great reservoirs _____.

organisms, oceans, rocks

A by-product of photosynthesis which is necessary for respiration is _____________.

oxygen

Carbon monoxide affects the body by greatly reducing the capacity of blood to transport __________.

oxygen

The carbon-oxygen cycle has proven to be very efficient at maintaining the exact quantity of __________ in the atmosphere that we need for survival.

oxygen

A form of oxygen having three atoms of oxygen making up the molecule (O3).

ozone

Most ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the _______________.

ozone layer

A region in the upper stratosphere where ozone is concentrated.

ozonosphere

Electric power plants are the main source of:

particle pollution

How does the ionosphere help radio transmission?

permits radio waves to travel around the Earth's circumference

What practical function is provided by the ionosphere?

permits worldwide radio communication

The chemical weathering of rocks at the Earth's surface releases ____________ into the biosphere.

phosphorus

Process by which plants use chlorophyll and energy from sunlight to manufacture food from carbon dioxide.

photosynthesis

The process by which plants make food is called:

photosynthesis

The beginning of the food chain starts with __________.

plants

Plants need certain bacteria to produce usable nitrogen compounds because:

plants cannot separate the nitrogen gas molecule into a usable element

Atmospheric substances which are unhealthy or interfere with natural cycles are called __________.

pollutants

Waste substances added to the environment.

pollution

Moisture falling from the clouds as snow, rain, or hail.

precipitation

The falling of rain, snow, hail, or ice pellets from the atmosphere is called _____________.

precipitation

Pollutants may have a direct adverse effect on health which could cause __________ breathing and add extra ________________ on the heart.

problematic, stress

Plants use nitrates to form ________.

proteins

Air pollution particles may be removed by _____.

rain, snow, wind, natural cycles

The process by which oxygen combines with food to release energy and carbon dioxide.

respiration

The two basic processes of life involved in the carbon-oxygen cycle are:

respiration and photosynthesis

The bending of light rays in all directions by gas molecules.

scattering

The range of cosmic rays through visible light are included in the _____________-wave spectrum.

short

The two groups of bacteria responsible for nitrogen fixation are found in ___________ and in the roots of ____________.

soil, legumes

Select the factors that could cause water to evaporate.

solar radiation, energy, heat

A broad range of related waves.

spectrum

Layer of the atmosphere just above the troposphere where the temperature remains fairly constant.

stratosphere

How does precipitation eventually return to the oceans?

surface runoff, direct precipitation, ground water, icebergs

As you fly up through the troposphere into the stratosphere, what would you expect?

temperature would stop decreasing, temperature would remain constant

Even though you are getting closer to the sun as you ascend into the troposphere, why does the temperature drop?

the lower atmosphere is heated by the ground

The major difference between oxygen and ozone is:

the number of atoms in a molecule

The absence of meteorites within the Earth's rock layers indicates that _____. --the rocks formed rapidly --the rock layers are young --the rock layers are old --the rocks formed very slowly

the rocks formed rapidly, the rock layers are young

Layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are the highest in the atmosphere.

thermosphere

The process by which plants give off water vapor.

transpiration

Layer of the atmosphere nearest the Earth in which most weather changes occur.

troposphere

The atmosphere layer in which most weather occurs is the ___________.

troposphere

The ozone layer acts as a protective shield from the effects of the sun's ____________.

ultraviolet radiation

Air which will hold more water vapor is _____.

warm air

Sulfur oxides can form acid rain when combined with:

water vapor

Which gas is a major factor in causing storms?

water vapor

Select the three components of the atmosphere that absorb the heat radiated from the ground.

water vapor, carbon dioxide, clouds

Carbon monoxide is formed when fuels are burned:

without enough oxygen