Podcast
Questions and Answers
The atmosphere is a solid envelope that surrounds the Earth.
The atmosphere is a solid envelope that surrounds the Earth.
False (B)
The atmosphere is an insignificant part of the Earth's environment.
The atmosphere is an insignificant part of the Earth's environment.
False (B)
Which of the following is NOT considered one of the four environmental spheres that interface at the surface of the Earth?
Which of the following is NOT considered one of the four environmental spheres that interface at the surface of the Earth?
- Hydrosphere
- Biosphere
- Thermosphere (correct)
- Lithosphere
Gases released from the Earth's interior are primarily volcanic in origin.
Gases released from the Earth's interior are primarily volcanic in origin.
Which of the following is NOT a vital function of the atmosphere?
Which of the following is NOT a vital function of the atmosphere?
The atmosphere absorbs radiation only from the Sun.
The atmosphere absorbs radiation only from the Sun.
The atmosphere's outermost layers have the same composition as the lower layers.
The atmosphere's outermost layers have the same composition as the lower layers.
The atmosphere makes the cycle of evaporation and precipitation impossible.
The atmosphere makes the cycle of evaporation and precipitation impossible.
Without the atmosphere, there would be no clouds, rain, snow, or rivers.
Without the atmosphere, there would be no clouds, rain, snow, or rivers.
The atmosphere consists mostly of non-variable gases.
The atmosphere consists mostly of non-variable gases.
What percentage of the total atmosphere do non-variable gases comprise?
What percentage of the total atmosphere do non-variable gases comprise?
Which gas is most abundant in the atmosphere by volume?
Which gas is most abundant in the atmosphere by volume?
What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen?
What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen?
Which gas is essential for the respiratory processes of plants and animals?
Which gas is essential for the respiratory processes of plants and animals?
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere?
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere?
Variable gases make up a large proportion of the atmosphere.
Variable gases make up a large proportion of the atmosphere.
What are the three examples of variable gases mentioned in the text?
What are the three examples of variable gases mentioned in the text?
Particulates in the atmosphere are primarily derived from liquids.
Particulates in the atmosphere are primarily derived from liquids.
Most particulates in the atmosphere are liquids.
Most particulates in the atmosphere are liquids.
What are solid particulates in the atmosphere collectively referred to as?
What are solid particulates in the atmosphere collectively referred to as?
The atmosphere is layered with respect to temperature.
The atmosphere is layered with respect to temperature.
How many principal layers are there in the atmosphere?
How many principal layers are there in the atmosphere?
Flashcards
What is the atmosphere?
What is the atmosphere?
The gaseous layer surrounding Earth.
Why is the atmosphere important?
Why is the atmosphere important?
It's essential for life on Earth, providing oxygen for animals and carbon dioxide for plants.
How does the atmosphere relate to other Earth spheres?
How does the atmosphere relate to other Earth spheres?
It's the outermost of Earth's four spheres, acting as a canopy over the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
Where does the atmosphere come from?
Where does the atmosphere come from?
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How does the atmosphere protect Earth?
How does the atmosphere protect Earth?
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How does the atmosphere contribute to the water cycle?
How does the atmosphere contribute to the water cycle?
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What is the composition of the atmosphere?
What is the composition of the atmosphere?
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What are non-variable gases?
What are non-variable gases?
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What are variable gases?
What are variable gases?
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Give examples of variable gases.
Give examples of variable gases.
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What are particulates?
What are particulates?
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Give examples of particulates.
Give examples of particulates.
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How is the atmosphere layered?
How is the atmosphere layered?
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Name the main layers of the atmosphere.
Name the main layers of the atmosphere.
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What is the troposphere?
What is the troposphere?
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What is the stratosphere?
What is the stratosphere?
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What is the mesosphere?
What is the mesosphere?
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What is the thermosphere?
What is the thermosphere?
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What is the exosphere?
What is the exosphere?
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Study Notes
The Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is a gaseous layer surrounding Earth, impacting nearly all aspects of Earth's environment.
- It's the outermost of four spheres, interacting with the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
- Earth's atmosphere primarily originated from volcanic gases.
- It plays crucial roles, such as supplying oxygen, regulating temperature, protecting Earth from meteor impacts, and enabling the water cycle.
- The atmosphere is essential for life on Earth.
Composition of the Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds.
- Most elements exist in consistent proportions, except in the outermost layers.
- Major components:
- Nitrogen (78%)
- Oxygen (21%)
- Other gases (1%)
Components of the Atmosphere
- Non-variable gases: Account for over 98% of the atmosphere by volume; largely stable (physically & chemically).
- Nitrogen: Most abundant (78%).
- Oxygen: Essential for respiration of plants and animals (almost 21%).
- Variable gases: Present in small proportions, although crucial to life; fluctuate in quantity.
- Carbon dioxide
- Water vapor
- Ozone
- Particulates: Solids and liquids from Earth's surface (dust), varying in size and remaining suspended in the atmosphere.
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is layered based on temperature differences.
- There are five main layers.
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