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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the atmosphere?
What is the primary function of the atmosphere?
Which gas constitutes the largest percentage of the atmosphere?
Which gas constitutes the largest percentage of the atmosphere?
What is the main purpose of the ozone layer found in the stratosphere?
What is the main purpose of the ozone layer found in the stratosphere?
Which layer of the atmosphere is primarily involved in weather phenomena like rainfall and fog?
Which layer of the atmosphere is primarily involved in weather phenomena like rainfall and fog?
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At what height does the stratosphere extend up to?
At what height does the stratosphere extend up to?
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How do plants obtain nitrogen necessary for their survival?
How do plants obtain nitrogen necessary for their survival?
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What happens to meteorites when they enter the atmosphere?
What happens to meteorites when they enter the atmosphere?
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Which of the following gases is present in the least quantity in the atmosphere?
Which of the following gases is present in the least quantity in the atmosphere?
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What is the primary factor that influences the distribution of temperature across the Earth?
What is the primary factor that influences the distribution of temperature across the Earth?
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Which type of wind is characterized by consistent direction throughout the year?
Which type of wind is characterized by consistent direction throughout the year?
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What occurs to air pressure as altitude increases?
What occurs to air pressure as altitude increases?
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What is the relationship between temperature and air pressure at a specific location?
What is the relationship between temperature and air pressure at a specific location?
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What is humidity a measure of?
What is humidity a measure of?
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What causes clouds to form in the atmosphere?
What causes clouds to form in the atmosphere?
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Which local wind is known for being hot and dry in northern India?
Which local wind is known for being hot and dry in northern India?
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What is a characteristic feature of a humid day?
What is a characteristic feature of a humid day?
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Study Notes
Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is a blanket of air surrounding Earth.
- It provides breathable air and protects from harmful solar rays.
- Major gases: Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (0.93%), Carbon Dioxide (0.03%), Others (0.04%).
- Tiny dust particles are also present.
- Nitrogen: Essential for plants, but they can't get it directly from the air. Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen for plant use.
- Oxygen: Essential for humans and animals. Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis. Humans and animals release carbon dioxide, balancing the cycle. Burning fuels increases carbon dioxide, affecting climate.
Structure of the Atmosphere
- The atmosphere has five layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.
- Troposphere: Lowest layer, weather occurs here (rain, fog etc.), average height 13 km.
- Stratosphere: Above the troposphere, up to 50 km, ideal for flying, ozone layer protects from sun's harmful rays.
- Mesosphere: Above the stratosphere, up to 80 km, meteors burn up here.
- Exosphere: Uppermost layer, very thin air, light gases escape into space.
Weather and Climate
- Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions (changing hourly/daily).
- Climate: Long-term average weather patterns (average, over a period of time).
- Insolation: Incoming solar energy, decreases towards the poles causing temperature variations.
- Cities tend to be warmer than villages due to concrete, metals, and asphalt absorbing and releasing heat.
- Air Pressure: Pressure from the weight of air. Highest at sea level, decreases with altitude.
- High pressure associated with clear skies, low pressure with cloudy skies.
- Air moves from high to low pressure areas (winds).
- Winds are classified as permanent (trade winds, westerlies, easterlies), seasonal (monsoons), and local (land and sea breezes). The hot and dry local wind of northern planes in India is called Loo.
Moisture
- Moisture in the air is humidity: higher when water vapor content is high.
- Warmer air holds more water vapor (becomes more humid).
- Cooling air causes water vapor to condense into water droplets, creating clouds.
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Description
Explore the vital role of the atmosphere surrounding Earth in this quiz. Learn about its composition, the essential gases for life, and the distinct layers that make up this protective blanket. Test your knowledge on how these layers influence weather and climate.
