Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the two most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere?
What are the two most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen and oxygen
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is Nitrogen?
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is Nitrogen?
78%
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is Oxygen?
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is Oxygen?
21%
How many gases make up 1% of Earth's atmosphere?
How many gases make up 1% of Earth's atmosphere?
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What is the lowest and densest layer of the atmosphere?
What is the lowest and densest layer of the atmosphere?
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What layer contains the ozone layer that protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the Sun?
What layer contains the ozone layer that protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the Sun?
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What layer of the atmosphere do we live in?
What layer of the atmosphere do we live in?
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What layer of the atmosphere protects us from being hit by meteoroids?
What layer of the atmosphere protects us from being hit by meteoroids?
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In which layer does weather occur?
In which layer does weather occur?
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In which layer do airplanes fly?
In which layer do airplanes fly?
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In which layer would the ISS and space shuttles be found?
In which layer would the ISS and space shuttles be found?
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In which layer would satellites be found?
In which layer would satellites be found?
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Which layer is the hottest because the Sun strikes there first?
Which layer is the hottest because the Sun strikes there first?
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What are the two sublayers of the thermosphere?
What are the two sublayers of the thermosphere?
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What layer's temperature decreases to -90 degrees?
What layer's temperature decreases to -90 degrees?
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Which layer contains the Northern Lights?
Which layer contains the Northern Lights?
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What happens to temperatures as you climb in altitude in the troposphere?
What happens to temperatures as you climb in altitude in the troposphere?
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List the layers of the atmosphere from the lowest to highest.
List the layers of the atmosphere from the lowest to highest.
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What layer contains the most mass?
What layer contains the most mass?
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Which layer contains radio waves?
Which layer contains radio waves?
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What is meant by the 'Goldilocks Conditions'?
What is meant by the 'Goldilocks Conditions'?
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What is the only planet that has an atmosphere conducive to life?
What is the only planet that has an atmosphere conducive to life?
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In which two layers do temperatures increase with increases in altitude?
In which two layers do temperatures increase with increases in altitude?
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In which two layers do temperatures decrease with increases in altitude?
In which two layers do temperatures decrease with increases in altitude?
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Study Notes
Composition of Earth's Atmosphere
- Nitrogen and oxygen are the primary gases, comprising 78% and 21% of the atmosphere, respectively.
- Seven gases together account for the remaining 1% of the atmosphere.
Atmospheric Layers
- The troposphere is the lowest and densest layer, where we live and where weather occurs.
- The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which protects against ultraviolet radiation.
- The mesosphere protects from meteoroids and has temperatures that can drop to -90 degrees Celsius.
- The thermosphere is the hottest layer and is where the Northern Lights occur. It also houses the International Space Station (ISS) and space shuttles.
- The exosphere is the outermost layer, where satellites orbit.
Temperature Variations
- Temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere and mesosphere.
- In contrast, temperatures increase with altitude in the stratosphere and thermosphere.
Other Key Facts
- The ionosphere, a sublayer of the thermosphere, plays a role in transmitting radio waves.
- Earth's unique atmosphere, known for "Goldilocks Conditions," is suitable for life – not too hot or too cold.
- Earth is the only planet with an atmosphere capable of supporting life.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the composition of Earth's atmosphere, exploring the most abundant gases and their percentages. Test your knowledge on fundamental atmospheric science concepts through engaging flashcards.
