Earth's Atmosphere study island

The envelope of gases surrounding Earth is known as the atmosphere. Which of the following statements accurately describes the atmosphere? A. The atmosphere is composed of several layers that increase in density as altitude increases. B. The atmosphere is composed of masses of air particles that are constantly circulating. C. The atmosphere is composed entirely of nitrogen and oxygen, which react to form ozone. D. The atmosphere is composed of masses of air particles that move very little, if at all.

B. The atmosphere is composed of masses of air particles that are constantly circulating.

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere. What would be the most likely result of an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? A. a decrease in global rainfall B. an increase in global temperature C. a reduction in global ocean circulation D. a change in global wind patterns

B. an increase in global temperature

Water vapor traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. This serves to maintain Earth's atmospheric temperature. Based on this function, water vapor can be classified as a _______ gas. A. noble B. poisonous C. greenhouse D. all of these

C. greenhouse

Which of the following correctly shows the four most abundant gases in the Earth's atmosphere in order from most abundant to least abundant? A. oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon B. nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon C. nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide D. oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide

C. nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide

The red line on graph below shows how levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere have changed through geologic time. The values on the graph's y-axis are measured in parts per million (ppm). Which of the following statements about the information in the graph is most likely to be true? A. During the Permian geologic period, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased due to natural processes. B. During the Carboniferous geologic period, carbon dioxide levels reached their highest point in geologic history. C. Human activities contributed to the increase in carbon dioxide levels that occurred during the Jurassic geologic period. D. Carbon dioxide levels are higher today than they have been at any other time in geologic history.

A. During the Permian geologic period, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased due to natural processes.

Solar energy from the Sun's rays is absorbed by the Earth's land and water surfaces. This absorbed energy is then radiated back to the atmosphere as infrared radiation. Most of the radiation cannot be transmitted and is absorbed by the atmosphere. This absorption adds heat to the atmosphere and helps keep the Earth warm enough to support life. The process described above is known as A. the greenhouse effect. B. the heating blanket effect. C. the hot air effect. D. the solar energy effect.

A. the greenhouse effect.

The carbon cycle, shown below, is the natural system that moves carbon in and out of the atmosphere through a number of different processes. Why are many scientists concerned about humans adding large amounts of carbon to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels (combustion)? A. Carbon is a poisonous chemical, which can kill plants. B. If the atmosphere gains too much carbon, birds won't be able to fly. C. The atmosphere has a limited capacity to absorb and recycle carbon naturally. D. When carbon is released into the atmosphere it floats into outer space, and is lost forever.

C. The atmosphere has a limited capacity to absorb and recycle carbon naturally.

Which of the choices below is one of the primary gases found in the atmosphere? A. carbon dioxide B. argon C. nitrogen D. helium

C. nitrogen

Which of the following natural processes involve the use and renewal of atmospheric gases? A. evaporation of surface water by the Sun B. decaying of organic matter C. condensation of water vapor into precipitation D. all of these

D. all of these

Which of the following statements about forest fires and the atmosphere is true? []Forest fires release weather-altering particles into the atmosphere. []Forest fires add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. [] Forest fires reduce the number of trees that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. []Forest fires add oxygen to the atmosphere.

[]Forest fires release weather-altering particles into the atmosphere. [] Forest fires add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. []Forest fires reduce the number of trees that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Earth's atmosphere contains certain chemicals that absorb infrared energy emitted by the Sun and Earth. The process by which these chemicals absorb infrared energy is known as the _____ and is responsible for _____ the planet.

[greenhouse effect] [insulates]

What is the order of the four most abundant gases in the Earth's atmosphere from most abundant to least abundant? carbon dioxide oxygen nitrogen argon > > >

carbon dioxide-oxygen-nitrogen-argon

Each of the following gases is present in the Earth's atmosphere. Which of them contributes to the greenhouse effect? oxygen nitrogen water vapor methane carbon dioxide

water vapor methane carbon dioxide

The atmosphere recycles many materials naturally. Different gases are continuously moving in and out of the atmosphere at all times. Since the rate at which most materials enter the atmosphere roughly equals the rate at which they also leave it, this means that the composition of the atmosphere is nearly constant, or unchanging, through time. What would happen if the rate at which materials naturally move in or out of the atmosphere changed? A. The composition of the atmosphere would change. B. The atmosphere would be sucked into the core of the Earth by gravity. C. The atmosphere would give off more light. D. The composition of the atmosphere would be completely unaffected.

A. The composition of the atmosphere would change.

Which statement best describes how excessive carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere alter the system illustrated above? A. They prevent some of the absorbed solar energy from leaving the Earth's atmosphere. B. They increase the rate at which absorbed solar energy leaves the Earth's atmosphere. C. They increase the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed by the Earth's surface. D. They increase the amount of solar radiation that is reflected into outer space.

A. They prevent some of the absorbed solar energy from leaving the Earth's atmosphere.

Earth's atmosphere is composed of A. nitrogen, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases. B. iron, oxygen, and silicon. C. carbon dioxide, ozone, and magnesium. D. water, liquid oxygen, and trace amounts of other liquids.

A. nitrogen, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases.

The table below lists a number of substances that are common on planet Earth. What are the five most abundant substances present in the Earth's atmosphere? Argon Silicon Dioxide Oxygen Ozone Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Water Carbon Dioxide Sulfur

Argon, Oxygen, Water, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

One way that scientists can peer into the Earth's past is by taking ice core samples. An ice core sample is, essentially, a long cylinder of ice that is dug deep out of ancient ice in Arctic and Antarctic regions on Earth. These images are courtesy of NASA and NOAA These cylinders contain layers of ice, with each layer corresponding to one warming and cooling period, or one year. With these samples, scientists can count the number of layers under the surface to determine when a layer was made. They can also analyze a layer to tell what chemicals were abundant in the Earth's atmosphere when that layer was made. If scientists find an ice core from 30,000 years ago that contains chemicals radically different than the chemicals that are around today, they would likely conclude that _______. A. the atmosphere never changes its composition. B. the number of layers they counted was incorrect. C. the atmosphere 30,000 years ago was different than our atmosphere today. D. these chemicals are abundant today.

C. the atmosphere 30,000 years ago was different than our atmosphere today.

Many different processes, both natural and human-caused, can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Which of the following processes can occur naturally and adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? A. the burning of natural gas on a stove B. the burning of coal in a coal-fired power plant C. the burning of plant life in a forest fire D. the burning of petroleum in an automobile

C. the burning of plant life in a forest fire

Which of these is always present in the atmosphere? A. hail B. snow C. water vapor D. sleet

C. water vapor