Earth Science SOL Review Sheet #3 : Atmosphere and Meteorology

Earth Science SOL Review Sheet #3 : 

Atmosphere and Meteorology

Essential Knowledge and Skills

·   The early atmosphere contained little oxygen and more carbon dioxide than the modern atmosphere.

·   Early photosynthetic life such as cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) consumed carbon dioxide and generated oxygen.

·   It was only after early photosynthetic life generated oxygen that animal life became possible.

·   Earth’s atmosphere is 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen, and 1 percent trace gases.

·   The atmosphere of Venus is mostly carbon dioxide and very dense.

·   The atmosphere of Mars is very thin and mostly carbon dioxide.
·   Human activities have increased the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere.

·   Man-made chemicals have decreased the ozone concentration in the upper   atmosphere.

·  Volcanic activity and meteorite impacts can inject large quantities of dust and gases into the atmosphere.

·   The ability of Earth’s atmosphere to absorb and retain heat is affected by the presence of gases like water vapor and carbon dioxide. 

·   Explain how volcanic activity or meteor impacts could affect the atmosphere and life on Earth.

·   Explain how biologic activity, including human activities, may influence global temperature and climate.

Multiple Choice

Day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions are known as________________

• climate
• humidity
• atmospheric pressure
• weather

Multiple Choice

Typical weather patterns for a certain location over many years; climate is affected by latitude, elevation, how close the area is to a major body of water and whether or not it is close to mountains are known as _____________

• humidity
• climate
• temperature
• weather

​Vocabulary Practice

On the next few slides, you will practice the vocabulary terms for this review sheet.

Multiple Choice

Blue green algae; a simple photosynthetic life form that helped introduce oxygen into Earth’s ancient atmosphere is known as __________

• green algae
• red algae
• diatoms
• cyanobacteria

Multiple Choice

The layer of the atmosphere closest to the earth’s surface

• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere
• Troposphere

Multiple Choice

A line on a weather map that connects locations with the same air pressure

• isobar
• gradient
• front
• isotherm

Multiple Choice

Transfer of heat energy in a fluid (gas or liquid) by means of currents

• Conduction
• Radiation
• Insulation
• Convection

Multiple Choice

Gas in Earth’s atmosphere formed when three atoms of oxygen combine, absorbs ultraviolet radiation

• Ozone (O3)
• Methane (CH4)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Nitrogen (N2)

Multiple Choice

The process in which carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation from the sun, forming a “heat blanket” around Earth

• Acid rain
• Global warming
• Greenhouse effect
• Ozone layer depletion

Multiple Choice

Energy transmitted as rays or waves without the need of a substance to conduct the energy

• Conduction
• Convection
• Insulation
• Radiation

Multiple Choice

An instrument used to measure air pressure

• Thermometer
• Anemometer
• Hygrometer
• Barometer

Multiple Choice

the temperature at which condensation develops

• Frost point
• Dew point
• Humidity level
• Condensation rate

Multiple Choice

The amount of water vapor in the air

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Wind speed
• Humidity

Multiple Choice

CO₂;  a gas that is naturally found in the air, also comes from burning wood, from running vehicles on gasoline, and from exhaling

• Carbon

• Oxygen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Glucose

Multiple Choice

Any form of water that returns from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface including: rain, snow, sleet, and hail

• Evaporation
• Condensation
• Precipitation
• Transpiration

Multiple Choice

Any particle onto which water vapor condenses

• Water vapor
• Humidity particles
• Cloud droplets
• Condensation nuclei

​SOL Practice

Now let's try some practice SOL questions!

Multiple Choice

Which statement best explains the difference in the average yearly temperature range for the two cities?

• City B is located in a different global wind belt.

• City B receives less yearly precipitation.

• City B has a greater yearly duration of insolation.

• City B is located near a large body of water.

Multiple Choice

Which of these has the LEAST effect on the composition of our atmosphere?

• Human Activity

• Biological Activity

• Geologic Activity

• Tidal Activity

Multiple Choice

Clouds usually form when....

• air temperature reaches the dew point

• evaporation has warmed the air

• relative humidity is 0%

• condensation nuclei have been removed from the air

Multiple Choice

The most likely cause of the overall change in the level of carbon dioxide from 1960 to 1990 is an increase in the–

• number of violent storms

• number of volcanic eruptions

• use of nuclear power

• use of fossil fuels

Multiple Choice

Which region is the probable source of the air mass labeled cP on the map?

• central Canada

• southwestern United States

• North Atlantic Ocean

• Gulf of Mexico

Multiple Choice

The following symbol is often seen on weather maps. What does it represent?

• Cold front

• Low pressure area

• Warm front

• Stationary front

Multiple Choice

Over the course of a year, compared to location B, location A will have-

• less precipitation and a smaller temperature range

• less precipitation and a greater temperature range

• more precipitation and a smaller temperature range

• more precipitation and a greater temperature range

Multiple Choice

The cross section below shows how prevailing winds have caused different climates on the windward and leeward sides of a mountain range.

• Rising air compresses and cools, causing the water droplets to evaporate.

• Rising air compresses and warms, causing the water vapor to condense.

• Rising air expands and cools, causing the water vapor to condense.

• Rising air expands and warms, causing the water droplets to evaporate.

Multiple Choice

• Letter A

• Letter B

• Letter C

• Letter D