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Questions and Answers
What provides most of the energy inputs to the Earth's atmosphere?
What provides most of the energy inputs to the Earth's atmosphere?
Which statement correctly reflects the role of photosynthesis in the atmosphere?
Which statement correctly reflects the role of photosynthesis in the atmosphere?
What is the chemical equation for respiration?
What is the chemical equation for respiration?
What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's atmosphere?
What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's atmosphere?
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What is ozone composed of?
What is ozone composed of?
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How do biotic components affect the atmosphere?
How do biotic components affect the atmosphere?
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What best describes the Earth’s atmosphere?
What best describes the Earth’s atmosphere?
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What is a primary effect of the atmosphere on Earth?
What is a primary effect of the atmosphere on Earth?
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What is the main function of ozone in the upper atmosphere?
What is the main function of ozone in the upper atmosphere?
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Which layer of the atmosphere is primarily associated with weather formation?
Which layer of the atmosphere is primarily associated with weather formation?
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In which atmospheric layer does temperature decline with height?
In which atmospheric layer does temperature decline with height?
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What is the temperature at the lower part of the stratosphere?
What is the temperature at the lower part of the stratosphere?
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What phenomenon occurs in the troposphere that influences temperature regulation?
What phenomenon occurs in the troposphere that influences temperature regulation?
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Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
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What is true about the thermosphere?
What is true about the thermosphere?
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How does atmospheric circulation strength get influenced?
How does atmospheric circulation strength get influenced?
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Study Notes
Earth's Atmosphere
- Earth's atmosphere is a dynamic system.
- It has inputs, outputs, flows and storages.
- Solar radiation is the main energy input to the atmosphere.
- The atmosphere is a thin blanket of gases and particles (air).
- The atmosphere is vital for life on Earth:
- It regulates temperature.
- It provides oxygen for respiration.
- It protects us from harmful UV radiation.
- The atmosphere, along with water, creates a unique environment for life on Earth.
- The atmosphere influences and is influenced by life, creating a biogeochemical system.
Atmospheric Composition
- Photosynthesis is the primary source of oxygen in the atmosphere.
- Plants use carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) to create sugars and oxygen (O2) in the presence of sunlight.
- The chemical reaction for photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H2O + solar energy → C6H12O6 (sugar) + 6O2
- Respiration uses oxygen to convert sugar into energy.
- Both plants and animals use oxygen for respiration.
- The chemical reaction for respiration is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + usable energy.
- Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
- Examples include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone.
- Ozone (O3) in the upper atmosphere filters harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, making life on Earth's surface possible.
Atmospheric Layers
Troposphere
- Lowest layer of the atmosphere, in direct contact with Earth's surface.
- Temperature decreases with altitude, about 6.5°C per kilometer.
- Weather occurs in the troposphere.
- Greenhouse gases regulate temperature in this layer.
Stratosphere
- Layer above the troposphere.
- Temperature is mostly constant, around -60°C in the lower stratosphere.
- Winds increase with height.
- Contains the ozone layer, located in the upper stratosphere.
- Contains little water vapor due to the cold temperatures.
Mesosphere
- Third highest layer of the atmosphere.
- Temperature decreases with altitude.
- Coldest part of the atmosphere.
- Strong zonal winds (east-west), atmospheric tides, planetary waves, and gravity waves are found here.
Thermosphere
- The region between 100 km and 500 km above Earth's surface.
- Temperature increases sharply in the lower thermosphere and then levels off with altitude.
- UV and X radiation from the sun is absorbed, causing molecules to break apart into atoms.
- Temperature continues to increase with altitude.
Atmospheric Circulation
- The strength of atmospheric circulation is controlled by a dynamic balance between processes that emit oxygen (photosynthesis) and consume oxygen (respiration).
- The atmosphere plays a role in the hydrologic cycle, holding a significant amount of water as water vapor.
- Sound waves travel through the atmosphere.
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Description
Dive into the essential elements of Earth's atmosphere, including its importance for life. This quiz covers the dynamics of the atmosphere, its composition, and processes like photosynthesis and respiration. Test your knowledge of atmospheric science and its critical role on our planet.
