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Questions and Answers
What is the primary form of oxygen found in the atmosphere?
What is the primary form of oxygen found in the atmosphere?
Which layer of the atmosphere shows an increase in temperature with altitude?
Which layer of the atmosphere shows an increase in temperature with altitude?
What causes the increase in temperature in the thermosphere?
What causes the increase in temperature in the thermosphere?
What is the role of ozone in the stratosphere?
What is the role of ozone in the stratosphere?
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Which of the following gases decreases in concentration as altitude increases in the mesosphere?
Which of the following gases decreases in concentration as altitude increases in the mesosphere?
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What is the average pH of precipitation in the northeastern United States?
What is the average pH of precipitation in the northeastern United States?
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Which two pollutants are primarily responsible for acid rain formation?
Which two pollutants are primarily responsible for acid rain formation?
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What natural phenomenon contributes significant amounts of SO2 to the atmosphere?
What natural phenomenon contributes significant amounts of SO2 to the atmosphere?
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What is the pH threshold below which acidic rain is considered harmful?
What is the pH threshold below which acidic rain is considered harmful?
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What process is considered a major source of SO2 emissions linked to fossil fuels?
What process is considered a major source of SO2 emissions linked to fossil fuels?
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Which compound is primarily formed when sulfur dioxide reacts with water?
Which compound is primarily formed when sulfur dioxide reacts with water?
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Which of the following is a primary source of sulfur in coal?
Which of the following is a primary source of sulfur in coal?
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Which region in the United States is primarily responsible for sulfur dioxide emissions?
Which region in the United States is primarily responsible for sulfur dioxide emissions?
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What causes the auroras in Earth's atmosphere?
What causes the auroras in Earth's atmosphere?
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Why do electrons and protons in solar wind lead to the emission of light?
Why do electrons and protons in solar wind lead to the emission of light?
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What type of light is primarily emitted by excited oxygen atoms during auroras?
What type of light is primarily emitted by excited oxygen atoms during auroras?
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Which color in auroras is typically associated with ionized nitrogen?
Which color in auroras is typically associated with ionized nitrogen?
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Where are auroras most commonly visible?
Where are auroras most commonly visible?
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What is the northern lights phenomenon called in the Southern Hemisphere?
What is the northern lights phenomenon called in the Southern Hemisphere?
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What effect can a massive number of solar particles have on auroras?
What effect can a massive number of solar particles have on auroras?
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What notation is used to describe an electronically excited species in the provided chemical equation?
What notation is used to describe an electronically excited species in the provided chemical equation?
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What is used to measure radon concentration in a laboratory?
What is used to measure radon concentration in a laboratory?
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How does a long-term radon test kit determine radon concentration?
How does a long-term radon test kit determine radon concentration?
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What is a recommended action if radon levels are unacceptably high in a house?
What is a recommended action if radon levels are unacceptably high in a house?
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What method can be used to prevent radon pollution effectively?
What method can be used to prevent radon pollution effectively?
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Why have some scientists questioned studies regarding radon's health effects?
Why have some scientists questioned studies regarding radon's health effects?
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What is the Environmental Protection Agency's threshold for taking remedial action for radon?
What is the Environmental Protection Agency's threshold for taking remedial action for radon?
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What happens to radon-decay products when inhaled by smokers and nonsmokers?
What happens to radon-decay products when inhaled by smokers and nonsmokers?
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Where does radon typically enter homes?
Where does radon typically enter homes?
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What is the primary cause of photochemical smog?
What is the primary cause of photochemical smog?
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Which pollutants are classified as primary pollutants in the context of photochemical smog?
Which pollutants are classified as primary pollutants in the context of photochemical smog?
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What role does sunlight play in the formation of photochemical smog?
What role does sunlight play in the formation of photochemical smog?
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What happens to nitric oxide after it is released into the atmosphere?
What happens to nitric oxide after it is released into the atmosphere?
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Which of the following reactions represents the formation of ozone?
Which of the following reactions represents the formation of ozone?
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What is the dual role of ozone in the atmosphere?
What is the dual role of ozone in the atmosphere?
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Which gas is formed as a result of the reaction between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures?
Which gas is formed as a result of the reaction between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures?
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Which secondary pollutant contributes most significantly to the buildup of smog?
Which secondary pollutant contributes most significantly to the buildup of smog?
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What is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after cigarette smoking?
What is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after cigarette smoking?
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Which radioactive particles are produced when radon-222 decays?
Which radioactive particles are produced when radon-222 decays?
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What is a common way radon gas enters buildings?
What is a common way radon gas enters buildings?
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What can be used to measure radon levels in homes?
What can be used to measure radon levels in homes?
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What is the yearly approximate death toll from radon-related lung cancer?
What is the yearly approximate death toll from radon-related lung cancer?
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What substance is used in short-term radon testing kits?
What substance is used in short-term radon testing kits?
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Where have high levels of radon been detected since the 1970s?
Where have high levels of radon been detected since the 1970s?
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What type of radiation does radon-222 primarily emit?
What type of radiation does radon-222 primarily emit?
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Study Notes
Earth's Atmosphere
- Earth's atmosphere is chemically active and rich in oxygen, unlike other planets in our solar system.
- Early Earth's atmosphere consisted mainly of ammonia, methane, and water.
- Oxygen levels increased over billions of years through photosynthesis.
- Today, the atmosphere primarily consists of nitrogen and oxygen.
- The atmosphere's composition varies with location, excluding water content.
- The total atmospheric mass is about 5.3 × 1018 kg.
Atmospheric Composition
- Table 20.1 displays the composition of dry air at sea level.
- Key components are nitrogen (78.09%), oxygen (20.95%), and argon (0.93%).
- Concentrations of other gases are significantly lower.
Nitrogen Cycle
- Molecular nitrogen is a stable molecule.
- Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable compounds by plants and industry.
- Lightning is a natural process assisting in nitrogen fixation.
- The cycle involves transformation to nitrates and subsequently to other essential biological molecules.
Atmospheric Layers
- The atmosphere has layers classified by temperature gradients.
- The troposphere, the lowest layer, contains about 80% of the total atmospheric mass.
- The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, crucial to prevent harmful UV rays.
- Further atmospheric layers are mesosphere and thermosphere.
Aurora Borealis/Australis
- Violent solar eruptions eject electrons and protons.
- These charged particles interact with Earth's upper atmosphere, causing electronically excited gas molecules to emit visible light.
- The interaction results in the beautiful auroral displays.
- Aurora displays occur in zones around the Earth's magnetic poles.
Ozone Depletion
- Ozone depletion is caused by human-made chemicals like CFCs (Freons).
- CFCs react with ozone in the stratosphere, breaking it down.
- This depletion damages Earth's protective ozone layer, permitting harmful UV rays to reach the surface.
- The depletion is especially noticeable over the Antarctic and Arctic regions, creating ozone holes.
Volcanoes
- Volcanic eruptions release gases, liquids, and solids.
- These materials include sulfur dioxide (SO2), water vapor, and hydrogen sulfide.
- SO2 and H2S are converted into sulfuric acid aerosols following reactions involving OH.
- These aerosols persist for years in the stratosphere and cool the Earth's surface.
Greenhouse Effect
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a trace greenhouse gas, but plays a critical role in climate control.
- CO2 and other gases trap outgoing infrared radiation, preventing its escape into space.
- The greenhouse effect regulates Earth's surface temperature.
Photochemical Smog
- Photochemical smog is caused by automobile exhaust reacting with sunlight.
- Primary pollutants from automobile emissions include nitric oxide (NO).
- This leads to secondary pollutants such as ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
- Smog's harmful effects include respiratory irritation, damage to materials, and reduced visibility.
Indoor Pollution
- Indoor pollution can be just as harmful as outdoor pollution.
- Sources include radon, carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde.
- Radon is a radioactive gas emitted from uranium rocks.
- CO can be dangerous to human health.
- Formaldehyde can cause respiratory problems, as well as eye and nose irritation.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Earth's atmosphere, its composition, and the nitrogen cycle. Explore how oxygen levels have changed over time and the roles of various elements in atmospheric chemistry. This quiz is perfect for students studying earth science or environmental studies.
