Science Quiz Ch 15 section 1

Forms of water in the atmosphere

1. liquid water (water droplets) 2. solid water (snow and ice crystals) 3. invisible gas (water vapor) - most water in the atmosphere

What two gases make up most of the atmosphere?

78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen (rest argon, carbon dioxide, water, water and others)

Why does air pressure decrease as altitude increases?

Air pressure is the measure of the force of the air particles pushing on an object. Gravity pulls the air molecules toward earth. Air pressure is strongest near the surface because more air molecules are above you (and pushing on you). As you move higher there is less air molecules pushing on you and therefore as you go up the air pressure decreases.

How does the thermosphere have high temperatures but not feel hot?

Particles are moving very fast in thermosphere and are therefore very hot. However, heat is the transfer of energy from one particle to another. The particles are separated by so much space that they do not transfer much heat so it does not "feel" hot.

Why does the temperature of the different layers of the atmosphere vary?

a. because air temperature increases as altitude increases b. because the amount of energy radiated from the sun varies c. because of interference by humans d. because of the composition of gases in each layer

What is the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface?

air pressure

Use the following terms in a separate sentence: air pressure, atmosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere

atmo= trop-strat-meso-therm

What is a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon?

atmosphere

The layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere and in which temperature decreases as altitude increases?

mesosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases?

stratosphere

The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases

thermosphere

Lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature decreases at a constant rate as altitude increases

troposphere