Earth System Overview Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of a closed system in the context of Earth?

  • A system that allows the exchange of both energy and matter.
  • A system that is isolated from external forces.
  • A system with an exchange of heat or energy but no exchange of matter. (correct)
  • A system with no interactions between its parts.

    • Which layer of the atmosphere contains most of the water vapor and clouds?

  • Stratosphere
  • Exosphere
  • Troposphere (correct)
  • Mesosphere

    • At what altitude does the temperature typically decrease by 6°C per kilometer in the troposphere?

  • From 8 kilometers to 16 kilometers
  • From sea level to 8 kilometers
  • From sea level to 16 kilometers (correct)
  • From ground level to the ozone layer

    • What is the primary gas composition of the Earth's atmosphere?

    <p>78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process helps redistribute heat on the Earth's surface through the atmosphere?

    <p>Atmospheric circulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the atmosphere is incorrect?

    <p>Most weather occurs in the stratosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does atmospheric pressure change with altitude?

    <p>It decreases with altitude.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process describes the constant exchange of heat and moisture between the atmosphere and hydrosphere?

    <p>Hydrologic cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon occurs in the ionosphere due to the interaction between solar radiation and atmospheric atoms?

    <p>Auroras</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the atmosphere experiences a temperature increase from about -50°C to 0°C?

    <p>Stratosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary driving mechanism behind plate tectonics?

    <p>Earth's internal heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate thickness of oceanic crust?

    <p>7 kilometers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the atmosphere contains very little air and can reach temperatures of about 2000°C?

    <p>Thermosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What separates the crust from the Earth's mantle?

    <p>Mohorovicic discontinuity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dominant rock type in the uppermost mantle?

    <p>Peridotite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what layer do meteoroids burn up upon entry to the Earth's atmosphere?

    <p>Mesosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the temperature change from the bottom to the top of the mesosphere?

    <p>Decreases from 0°C to -90°C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following layers is considered the outermost layer of the Earth?

    <p>Crust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Earth System Overview

    • Earth functions as a dynamic system with interacting components: hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
    • The Earth system is a closed system, exchanging only heat and energy while matter remains constant.
    • A contrasting open system allows for both energy and matter exchange.

    Atmosphere

    • The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases surrounding the lithosphere, composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace gases such as argon.
    • Atmospheric circulation redistributes heat on Earth's surface, while the hydrologic cycle facilitates moisture exchange between the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
    • Air density decreases with increasing altitude, making it cooler and thinner in mountainous regions.

    Layers of the Atmosphere

    • Troposphere:
      • Extends up to 16 km over the equator and 8 km over poles; contains 90% of the atmosphere's mass and all water vapor.
      • Temperature decreases by 6°C for every kilometer increase in altitude.
    • Stratosphere:
      • Reaches up to 50 km; contains the ozone layer which absorbs UV radiation, increasing temperature from -50°C at the bottom to 0°C at the top.
    • Mesosphere:
      • Extends to about 80 km; temperature decreases from 0°C to -90°C, protecting Earth from meteoroids.
    • Thermosphere:
      • Extends to 500 km; contains sparse air that heats up to around 2000°C due to solar radiation.
    • Ionosphere:
      • Rich in ions formed by solar radiation; contributes to auroras and affects radio reception.
    • Exosphere:
      • Above 500 km, gradually transitions into interplanetary space filled with radiation and magnetic fields.

    Lithosphere

    • Comprises the Earth's crust, mantle, outer core (liquid), and inner core (solid metallic).
    • Plate tectonics is a crucial process driven by Earth's internal heat and mantle convection.

    Layers of the Earth

    • Crust:
      • Thin outer layer divided into two types: continental (average thickness of 35 km, up to 70 km in mountains, primarily granite) and oceanic (about 7 km thick, predominantly basalt).
      • The boundary between the crust and the mantle is known as the Mohorovicic discontinuity (Moho), identified by Andrija Mohorovicic in 1909.
    • Mantle:
      • Accounts for over 82% of Earth's volume, extending nearly 2900 km deep; primarily composed of peridotite, rich in magnesium and iron.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on the dynamic interactions within the Earth's system, including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. Explore the characteristics of various atmospheric layers and understand how they influence Earth's climate and weather patterns.

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