Composition and Layers of the Atmosphere

Composition and Layers of the Atmosphere

6th grade science

Multiple Choice

How many layers of the atmosphere did we discuss in class?

• 3

• 5

• 1

• 20

Project connections: Project 1

• Description: Research atmospheric exploration and create a timeline of the major discoveries in atmospheric research. Include the various technologies that humans have used to study Earth’s atmosphere and foreign atmospheres. 

• The formation of the atmosphere occurred around 4.6 billion years ago and transformed to its current conditions starting about 290 million years ago.

• Various tools have been invented and used to study the atmosphere such as the barometer, weather balloons, satellites, and the international space station

Project Connections: Project 2

• Description: Compare and contrast Earth’s atmosphere with the atmosphere on another planetary body. Also, explain how scientists know about the composition of the foreign atmosphere and compare that to how scientists study Earth’s atmosphere.

• Other planets such as Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune have an atmosphere but none contribute to making a suitable environment for the planets to support life like Earth's Atmosphere.

• Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of gases that help support and protect life on Earth.

Project Connections: Project 3

• Description: Create a project showing the five layers of Earth’s atmosphere. You should include typical altitudes, unique features, and 2 events that occur in each layer.

• Earth's layers are distinct and defined from one another based off their temperature.

• Temperature gradient can vary, for example the stratosphere is warmer at the top then it is at the bottom.

Project Connections: Project 3 continued

• Air pressure at each layer decreases, just like if you were to climb a mountain. The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure.

• Most weather occurs in the first layer, the Troposphere. Clouds are also found in this layer, which trap heat causing warmer temperatures.

• 
  

Project Connections: Project 4

• Description: Research global warming and climate change and how it is affecting Earth's atmosphere. Be sure to include which of Earth's atmosphere layers are impacted. You may also include changes we can make to reduce our impact on global warming.

• The layer of Earth's atmosphere that protects us from UV radiation is the second layer, the Stratosphere

• Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas causes the heating of Earth's atmosphere, which is playing a part in global warming.

• Due to global warming the ozone layer, found in Earth's Stratosphere, is being depleted.

Multiple Choice

Select the correct order of the layers of the atmosphere in order from lowest to highest.

• Stratosphere, troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

• Thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere

• Troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, stratosphere

• Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

Multiple Choice

The atmosphere is the boundary between Earth and outer space. What is the atmosphere?

• The layer of gases that surrounds Earth

• The layer above Earth that contains ozone

• The layer above Earth in which weather happens

• The layer above Earth that is

  responsible for gravity

Multiple Choice

Earth scientists have identified four distinct layers of the atmosphere. Which of the following defines the

layers of the atmosphere?

• Their density

• Their altitude

• Their temperature

• Their air pressure

Multiple Choice

Today, you are climbing Mt. Fresca, which is the tallest mountain you ever climbed. When you make it to the top, you notice that it is more difficult to catch your breath. At higher elevations, why is it harder to breathe?

• At higher altitudes, the air pressure is lower

• At higher altitudes, the air is too cold

• At higher altitudes, the air contains too much nitrogen

• At higher altitudes, the air contains too much carbon dioxide

Multiple Select

Which of the following are charateristics of the Stratosphere?

• The temperature is warmer at the top then at the bottom

• absorbs UV radiation

• Is the second layer of the atmosphere

• Has the highest air pressure.

Multiple Choice

Carbon dioxide is a trace gas in Earth’s atmosphere. Although present in only small amounts, carbon dioxide has an influence of Earth’s atmosphere. Which of the following describes the influence of carbon dioxide?

• Carbon dioxide influences the mass of the atmosphere

• Carbon dioxide influences the height of the atmosphere

• Carbon dioxide influences the heating of the atmosphere

• Carbon dioxide influences the density of the atmosphere

Multiple Choice

True or false. Cloudy nights are warmer than clearer nights because clouds trap heat energy during the day.

• True

• False