GEO 102 Part 5
Based on temperature, the atmosphere is divided into
Four regions: ranging from the troposphere to the thermosphere.
The outermost region of the atmosphere, based on composition, is the
Heterosphere.
The region of the atmosphere that is so evenly mixed that it behaves as if it were a single gas is
Homosphere.
Which atmospheric zone supports the biosphere and is the region of principle weather activity?
Tropopshere.
In which two atmospheric zones does temperature decrease with altitude?
Troposphere and mesosphere.
The atmospheric portion of the biosphere occurs in the
Troposphere.
Based on function, the atmosphere has
Two areas that absorb radiation from the Sun.
Based on composition, the atmosphere is divided into
Two broad classifications: hemisphere and heterosphere.
At sea level, the pressure of the atmosphere is about____ kg/cm2.
1.0
The top of Earth's atmosphere is approximately
480 km (300 miles) above Earth's surface.
Half of the total mass of Earth's atmosphere lies below an elevation of_____ meters.
5500.
Oxygen (O2) is
A by-product of photosynthesis.
The ozonosphere is critical to life because it
Absorbs most ultraviolet wavelengths.
The Montreal Protocol
Aims to reduce and eliminate all ozone depleting substances.
The thermopause is located
Approximately 480 km (300 miles) above Earth's surface.
Which stable (non variable) gas in the atmosphere is inert and unusable in life processes?
Argon.
The tropopause altitude is highest____ because of the _____.
At the equator; intense heating from the surface.
The thermosphere closely corresponds to
Both the ionosphere and the heterosphere.
Temperatures within the stratosphere
Increase with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation.
The high temperature in the upper thermosphere
Is more a measure of kinetic energy than sensible temperature.
Which of the following is true of the mesosphere?
It contains clouds that are visible at night.
Which is true of the level of CO2 in our atmosphere?
It is reached 400 pm in 2013.
Which of the following is true of carbon dioxide?
It occurs in large amounts in the atmosphere relative to nitrogen and oxygen.
Which of the following is true regarding the depletion of the ozone in the ozonosphere?
It results from chemical reactions with chlorine derived from CFCs.
Which of the following is true regarding ozone depletion in Antarctica?
Maximum ozone depletion occurs during the Antarctic spring, following the development of polar stratospheric clouds in winter.
The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere are
Nitrogen and oxygen.
Which of the following lists the correct sequence of gases, from the most to least concentration, in terms of percentage within the homosphere?
Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, trace gases.
The three stable (i.e. non variable) gases in the atmosphere, in order of abundance from the most to the least, are
Nitrogen, oxygen, argon.
A by-product of photosynthesis is
Oxygen.
About half of Earth's crust consists of compounds containing
Oxygen.
Which of the gases listed below has accumulated in the atmosphere as a result of biological processes?
Oxygen.
The heterosphere is the layer of the atmosphere in which the gases are____ because of____
Poorly mixed; the influence of gravity which causes gases of different weight to separate into layers.
Which of the following is true?
The atmosphere exerts a force of 1 kg/cm2 i.e. 14.7 in/in2. Air molecules exert air pressure through their motion, size, and number. Air pressure decreases with increasing altitude.
In which two atmospheric zones does temperature increase with altitude?
Stratosphere and thermosphere.
Why is the stratospheric ozone loss a concern?
Stratospheric ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVB and UVC).
Which of the following is true of chlorofuorocarbons?
The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release chlorine which then destroys ozone.
The homosphere is so called because
The blend of gases is nearly uniform throughout.
Which of the following is correct regarding lapse rates in the troposphere?
The environmental lapse rate refers to the actual lapse rate at any particular time and may differ substantially from the normal lapse rate.
Which of the following is true of gases in the heterosphere?
The hydrogen and helium occur at the top of the heterosphere, and the nitrogen and oxygen at the bottom.
Which is true of the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere?
The level of CO2 increased at the rate of 1.1 percent per year from 1990 to 1990.
Which of the following is true of nitrogen?
The nitrogen that the human body needs is devoured from food, not the air.
Which of the following is true about Earth's atmosphere?
The ozonosphere and ionosphere shield the surface from harmful radiation.
Which of the following is true of the ionosphere?
The region principally absorbs gamma rays, x-rays, and interacts with the solar wind.
The highest temperatures in the atmosphere occur in the
Thermosphere.
Which of the following is true of chlorofuorocarbons?
They are used in refrigeration systems. They are used to make foam products. They have been used as propellants in spray cans.
Why is the hole in the ozone greatest over Antarctica?
Chlorine freed from CFC's elsewhere migrate to the Antarctic region, where they are trapped by the polar vortex.
Three criteria used for classification of the atmosphere are
Composition, temperature, and function.
Nitrogen (N2) is
Cycled through the environment via the activity of bacteria.
In 1974, Dr. Rowland and Dr. Molina made what observation regarding ozone (O3)?
The photochemical interactions of chloroflourocarbons and O3.
Which of the following is true of UV exposure?
UVA radiation is not filtered by the ozone layer and amounts for about 95% of all UV radiation reaching Earth's surface. UV radiation varies spatially according to the season, local weather conditions, and overhead ozone depletion. UV radiation is potentially harmful and individuals should take appropriate precautions depending on the UV index.