10 Questions
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the air we breathe?
Troposphere
What is the most abundant gas in the troposphere?
Nitrogen (N2)
Which atmospheric layer is above the troposphere?
Stratosphere
What is the main component of the geosphere?
Rock
Which spherical system includes living things?
Biosphere
True or false: The earth's life-support system consists of three main spherical systems that interact with one another.
False
True or false: The atmosphere is held to the earth by magnetism.
False
True or false: The stratosphere is the layer in which the earth's weather occurs.
False
True or false: The biosphere includes only non-living things.
False
True or false: The geosphere consists of rock, soil, and sediment.
True
Study Notes
Earth's Life-Support System
- The earth's life-support system consists of four main spherical systems: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is a spherical mass of air surrounding the earth's surface, held by gravity.
- It has layers, with the innermost layer being the troposphere, extending 19 km (12 miles) above sea level at the equator and 6 km (4 miles) above the North and South Poles.
- The troposphere contains the air we breathe, composed of 78% nitrogen (N2), 21% oxygen (O2), and 1% water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
- The troposphere is where the earth's weather occurs and life can survive.
- The stratosphere is the atmospheric layer above the troposphere, reaching 17-50 km (11-31 miles) above the earth's surface.
Test your knowledge of the earth's life-support system with this quiz. Explore the four major components - atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere - and their interactions with each other.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
