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