Science - Chapter 12 - Earth's Atmosphere, Lesson 1
How do most scientists describe Earth when it first formed?
A ball of molten rock.
In the exosphere, the atmosphere does not have what?
A definite edge.
The pressure that a column of air exerts on anything below is called what?
Air pressure
What happened to the water vapor as ancient Earth's atmosphere cooled?
Condensed into liquid water. Rain fell and then evaporated from Earth's surface repeatedly for thousands of years.
How did Earth form it's atmosphere?
Erupting volcanos emitted hot gases from Earth's interior. These gases surrounded Earth.
Where is most of the original CO2 that dissolved in rain?
In rocks on the ocean floor.
What is the region within the mesosphere and thermosphere that contains ions?
Ionosphere
What layer do auroras occur in?
Ionosphere
What happens to the temperature in the troposphere as you move away from Earth?
It decreases.
What is the force that pulls all objects toward Earth?
Gravity
What process made the development of other organisms possible?
Photosynthesis because the levels of CO2 and oxygen supported it.
What changed ancient Earth's atmosphere?
Photosynthesis from the first organisms.
What is the thin layer of gases surrounding Earth, hundred of kilometers high?
The atmosphere
While Earth was forming, the erupting volcanos emitted hot gases from Earth's interior. What was formed from these gases that surrounded Earth?
The atmosphere.
Describe photosynthesis.
Light energy is used to produce sugar and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water.
What is Earth's atmosphere alike that helps keep temperatures within a range that living organisms can survive.
Like insulation on a house.
What is the atmospheric layer directly above the troposphere?
The stratosphere
How would you describe Earth's atmosphere?
Thin layer of gases surrounding Earth, hundreds of kilometers high.
What is the most common liquid particles in the atmosphere?
Water droplets.
What is water vapor?
Water in gaseous form.
What layer am I? Furthest from Earth, Above 500 km, Low pressure and density, rapidly moving air molecules that can escape to space, does not have definite edge.
exosphere
What causes most meteors to burn up before striking the Earth?
friction
Earth's Atmosphere is mostly made of _________________.
invisible gases
A region within the mesophere that contains ions. The ions reflect AM radio waves transmitted at ground level.
ionosphere
This is made of 3 oxygen atoms and effectively absorbs harmful UV rays.
ozone
What layer am I? Extends about 15 km to about 50 km above Earth's surface; contains the ozone layer, temperatures increase with height in this layer due to UV absorption.
stratosphere
What layer am I? Can extends 85 km to more than 500 km, very few gas molecules, protects Earth from meteorites, includes part the ionosphere
thermosphere
What layer am I? From Earth's surface to altitudes of 8-15 km; temperature decreases with height, warmest part is near Earth, weather takes place in this layer.
troposphere
Name the layers of Earth's atmosphere in order starting closest to Earth.
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
Since gravity's pull increases air density, how is the air at higher altitude?
Less dense
What is the atmospheric layer closest to Earth's surface called?
The troposphere.
Where layer would most people spend their entire lives?
The troposphere.
What causes "weather"?
The warmth is radiated to the troposphere.
What are the 4 ways Earth's atmosphere supports life on Earth?
1) Contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water; 2) protects us from meteors; 3) protects us from Sun's harmful rays; and 4) keeps temperature within range in which living organisms can survive.
What is most of the make-up of today's atmosphere?
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1 % other gases
What are some atmospheric liquids?
Acids that result when volcanoes erupt and fossil fuels are burned.
What are beautiful displays of colored lights that are found in the ionosphere called?
Auroras
How were oceans formed?
Because water vapor from ancient Earth's atmosphere condensed into liquid water. It rained for thousands of years. Eventually, water accumulated on Earth's surface.
Earth's atmosphere also acts as a safety shield from what?
Being struck by meteors
Why does air increase its density?
Due to gravity's pull.
How does Earth's atmosphere act like insulation on a house?
It helps keeps temperature on Earth within a range in which living organisms can survive.
How does gravity's pull effect air?
It increases its density.
Why is ozone important for Earth?
It protects Earth from ultraviolet rays that kill plants, animals, and other organisms and cause skin cancer in humans.
Where is air pressure the greatest?
Near Earth's surface because air molecules are closest together.
Where is the warmest part of the troposphere located?
Nearest to Earth's surface.
Today, does the Earth have more nitrogen or CO2?
Nitrogen
What gas is the most abundant in Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen
Does Earth's atmosphere only have one layer?
No, has several different layers.
What keep Earth from being too hot during the day, and too cold at night?
Our atmosphere, because it acts like an insulation.
What does the atmosphere contain that is necessary for life on Earth?
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water
What protects Earth from ultraviolet rays that can kill plants, animals, and other organisms and cause skin cancer in humans?
Ozone
What are some types of tiny solid particles found in Earth's atmosphere?
Pollen, dust, and salt.
Earth's atomosphere helps protect living organisms from the ______________.
Sun's harmful rays
What is the atmospheric layer furthest from Earth?
The exosphere.
Where is the greatest amount of ozone gas found?
The lower half of the stratosphere.
The area of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone is referred to what?
The ozone layer.
How do AM radio waves interact with the atmosphere?
They bounce off the ionosphere
Because the exosphere does not have a definite edge, what can happen to the molecules that are part of it?
They can escape the pull of gravity and travel into space.
How are the layers in the atmosphere different from each other?
They have unique properties, including the composition of gases and how temperature changes with altitude.
How do solid particles enter the atmosphere?
Through natural processes, like volcanos; or human activities, such as driving vehicles that releases soot.
How is the composition of gases and how the temperature changes with altitude used by scientists?
To divide Earth's atmosphere into different layers.
When the warmth is radiated to the troposphere, what is caused?
Weather
In the mesosphere, how does altitude affect temperatures?
When altitude increases, temperature decreases.
In the stratosphere, how does altitude affect temperatures?
When altitude increases, temperature increases. (because of high ozone)
In the troposphere, how does altitude affect temperatures?
When altitude increases, temperatures decreases. (Like on top of mountains)
In the thermosphere and exosphere, how does altitude affect temperatures?
When altitude increases, temperatures increase. (receive lots of energy from Sun.)
When do Auroras occur?
When ions from the Sun strike air molecules, causing them to emit vivid colors of light.
Although water droplets are microscopic, how are they visible?
When they form clouds.
Can temperatures change within the same layer of atmosphere?
Yes
Are there any solid particles present in Earth's atmosphere?
Yes, like ash from volcanic eruptions.
Where would air pressure be the greatest-- on top of a mountain or at sea level?
at sea level
A luminous atmospheric phenomenon appearing as bands of light sometimes visible in the night sky in northern or southern regions of the earth.
auroras
Why does air pressure occur?
because of the compactness of particles due to gravity.
What layer am I? Extends from the stratosphere to about 85 km above Earth; very few gas molecules, protects Earth from meteorites, includes part of the ionosphere.
mesosphere
The 2 layers of the atomosphere that contain the ionosphere.
mesosphere, thermosphere
Earth's atmosphere is composed of
mostly gases, and some solids, and liquid particles.