Chapter 12 Earth's Atmosphere
Exosphere
uppermost layer, fewest gas molecules, fades into the vacuum of space
why does air have weight?
weight is the force of gravity acting on anything that has mass and air is made of gas molecules that have mass.
what does life on earth depend on?
The atmosphere
Do other planets have atmosphere?
Some, but not all
what happens when the altitude in the atmosphere increases?
The atmospheric pressure decreases
what percentage of gases does nitrogen make up?
78%
what percent of gases does other gases make up?
1%
what percent of gases does oxygen make up?
21%
what gases are categorized as "other gases"?
Argon, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone.
what happens to the temperature as you move through the mesophere
It becomes colder again
As you rise through the troposphere, what happens to the temperature?
It gets colder
what happens to the temperature as you move through the thermosphere?
It increases temperature dramatically
What happens to the Temperature as you move through the stratosphere?
It slowly rises
What gases are in the Atmosphere?
Nitrogen, Oxygen and other gases
Stratosphere
The protective ozone layer that absorbs the sun's radiation
Atmosphere
The thin layer of gases surrounding the earth
what liquids does the atmosphere have in it?
Water, acids
because air has weight in it, it can exert what?
air pressure on anything below it
Troposphere
closest to earth's surface and is where weather occurs
What solids does the atmosphere have in it?
dust, ash, soot, salt, pollen
Mesosphere and Thermosphere
few gas molecules are present and meteors burn up here. These layers contain ions that emit colored light called auras when struck by high energy particles from the sun
what does insulation do to the temperature on earth?
it makes the temperature stay the same
as you go higher there is less or more atmosphere left around you to push on you?
less
What is the Atmosphere made of?
liquids, gases, and solids
what molecules do living things need?
oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water
what things are unique in the atmospheric layer?
the size, composition, and temperature?
Is air matter and does it have weight?
yes
