Gr 9 NATURAL SCIENCES: CH 4.4 The thermosphere

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the approximate altitude range of the thermosphere?

500 km to 2000 km
80 km to 600 km (correct)
20 km to 100 km
100 km to 1000 km

What is the main reason for the extreme temperatures in the thermosphere?

Wind patterns
Earth's surface heat
Atmospheric pressure
Solar activity and radiation (correct)

What is the characteristic of the air density in the thermosphere?

No air density
High air density
Low air density (correct)
Variable air density

What is the approximate altitude of the International Space Station?

370 km (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ionosphere in terms of radio waves?

Reflection of radio waves (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the phenomenon that occurs when solar wind particles interact with the ions in the ionosphere?

Aurora Phenomena (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the lights visible in the southern hemisphere?

Aurora Australis (C) Signup and view all the answers

What lies beyond the thermosphere?

The exosphere (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process that occurs in the ionosphere due to solar radiation?

Ionization (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the temperature range of the thermosphere?

-90°C to 1500°C (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why do satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) experience extremely low air resistance?

Because of the extremely low air density in the thermosphere (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of heat for the thermosphere?

Solar activity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What would be the sensation of temperature in the thermosphere for a human?

Cold (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ionosphere in terms of protecting the Earth?

To absorb harmful radiation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the aurora borealis phenomenon?

In the northern hemisphere (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the thermosphere in terms of its altitude?

It has a variable altitude (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the ionosphere in radio communication?

It reflects longer wavelength radio waves (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the thermosphere and the exosphere?

The thermosphere gradually transitions into the exosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why are auroras visible in the polar regions?

Because of the interaction between solar wind particles and the ions in the ionosphere (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the thermosphere and the exosphere?

The thermosphere is a distinct layer, while the exosphere is a gradual transition (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why the thermosphere's air density is extremely low?

It is constantly losing molecules to outer space (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ionosphere in terms of UV and X-rays?

It absorbs harmful radiation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why do satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) experience minimal heat transfer from the thermosphere?

The thermosphere has a low air density (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the temperature in the thermosphere?

It varies greatly due to solar activity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the thermosphere and the ionosphere?

The ionosphere is a sublayer of the thermosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the interaction between solar wind particles and the ions in the ionosphere?

The creation of the aurora phenomenon (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the altitude range of the thermosphere?

It is variable and wide (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the ionosphere in terms of radio communication?

To reflect longer wavelength radio waves (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why do humans not feel the extreme temperatures in the thermosphere?

The thermosphere has a low air density (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the transition beyond the thermosphere?

Into the exosphere and outer space (A) Signup and view all the answers