Quarter 2 Mini-Lesson: Earth's Atmosphere

Quarter 2 Mini-Lesson: Earth's Atmosphere

SC.6.E.7.9 Describe how the composition and structure of the atmosphere protects life and insulates the planet. (DoK 2)

​Earth's Atmosphere Key Concepts

• ​The atmosphere is a mixture of gases surrounding the Earth. It is made of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases, like carbon dioxide and argon.

• The atmosphere is important not only because it contains the air we breathe, but because its greenhouse effect also regulates the temperature of the Earth preventing it from becoming too hot or too cold to support life.

• ​Our atmosphere has five main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

• The troposphere is where weather occurs, cycling water around the Earth.

• The stratosphere is where the ozone layer is found, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. ​

• ​Most meteors burns up due to friction in the mesosphere.

• ​The International Space Station orbits the Earth in the thermosphere.

Multiple Choice

What happens to air pressure the higher up in space you go?

• air pressure stays constant

• air pressure increases

• air pressure decreases

• there is no air pressure

Multiple Choice

The layer of earths atmosphere with most of Earth's water vapor?

• Exosphere

• Thermosphere

• Mesosphere

• Troposphere

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order of layers for the atmosphere?

• Thermosphere

  Stratosphere

  Mesosphere

  Troposphere

  Exosphere

• Thermosphere

  Exosphere

  Troposphere

  Mesosphere

  Stratosphere

• Troposphere

  Stratosphere

  Mesosphere

  Thermosphere

  Exosphere

• Troposphere

  Stratosphere

  Exosphere

  Thermosphere

  Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

Due to lack of trubulence in this layer this is where planes like to fly.

• Troposphere

• Mesosphere

• Stratosphere

• Exosphere

Multiple Choice

The _____ protects us from Earth's harmful UV rays.

• Ozone

• Troposphere

• Clouds

• Exosphere

Multiple Choice

The Northen Lights that we see come from which layer?

• Troposphere

• Exosphere

• Thermosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

The layer where most meteorites vaporize?

• Stratosphere

• Thermosphere

• Troposphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

The most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere is what?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Troposphere

• Helium

Multiple Choice

What gas makes up 21% of Earth's Atmosphere?

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

• Ozone

• None of the Above

Multiple Choice

What helps to make the thermosphere the warmest layer in the atmosphere?

• Clouds

• Meteors

• UV Rays

• Ozone

Multiple Choice

The layer where tornadoes and hurricanes occur.

• Stratosphere

• Troposphere

• Mesosphere

• Exosphere