Questions and Answers
What are the two most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen and oxygen
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is Nitrogen?
78%
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is Oxygen?
21%
How many gases make up 1% of Earth's atmosphere?
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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?
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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?
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In which layer does weather occur?
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In which layer do airplanes fly?
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In which layer would the ISS and space shuttles be found?
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In which layer would satellites be found?
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Which layer is the hottest because the Sun strikes there first?
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What are the two sublayers of the thermosphere?
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What layer's temperature decreases to -90 degrees?
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Which layer contains the Northern Lights?
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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.
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What layer contains the most mass?
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Which layer contains radio waves?
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What is meant by the 'Goldilocks Conditions'?
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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?
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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.
