F21 The Atmosphere

Which statement best describes the ozone layer of Earth?

• It helps reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface of Earth.

• It prevents the formation of severe storms in the stratosphere of Earth.

• It increases the amount of nitrogen in the troposphere of Earth.

• It forms a magnetic field in the mesosphere of Earth.

Which of these gases is the MOST abundant greenhouse gas in the lower atmosphere of Earth?

• ozone

• methane

• water vapor

• carbon dioxide

Helium departed from the atmosphere early in Earth’s history. Which mechanism caused this departure?

• Helium was attracted by gas giants that were much closer to Earth’s orbit at the time.

• Solar heating allowed the helium to escape Earth’s gravity and move into space.

• Biological reactions stored most of the helium in Earth’s early life-forms.

• Chemical reactions trapped most of the helium in Earth’s crust.

The first atmosphere of Earth was primarily hydrogen and helium. During this time, Earth’s core was not differentiated and thus the magnetosphere had not yet formed. How did the lack of differentiation in Earth’s core MOST likely affect the transition in Earth’s atmospheric composition?

• by releasing water vapor from the core into the atmosphere

• by magnetically attracting freed metallic elements to the surface

• by providing the heat energy that fueled atmospheric chemical reactions

• by allowing the solar wind to blow away much of the lighter elemental gases

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

The diagram below gives the names for energy at different wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Energy at which wavelength is MOST likely to be absorbed by the ozone layer in Earth’s stratosphere?

• 0.10 nm

• 250 nm

• 0.01 cm

• 95 m

Which statement BEST describes natural variations in the amount of ozone found in the stratosphere of Earth’s atmosphere?

• Changes in the tilt of Earth’s axis cause variations in the ozone layer.

• Changes that result from El Niño events cause variations in the ozone layer.

• Variations in the ozone layer match the changing location of the magnetic North Pole.

• Variations in the ozone layer follow a pattern that matches variations within the solar cycle.

Volcanic eruptions early in Earth’s history are believed to be responsible for a large proportion of the matter now found in which Earth structure?

• mantle

• asthenosphere

• hydrosphere

• ozone

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Most ultraviolet (UV) rays are deflected or absorbed by the atmosphere, but some of these rays pass easily through the atmosphere and penetrate Earth’s surface.

Which substance in the atmosphere absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays?

• chlorofluorocarbon

• ozone

• nitrogen

• water

Which gas accounts for the largest percentage of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

• carbon monoxide

• carbon dioxide

• nitrous oxide

• water vapor

Temperature increases as altitude increases in both the stratosphere and the thermosphere. What is the main difference between these two layers?

• The temperature increases in the stratosphere because of aurora borealis, and in the thermosphere because of the jet stream.

• The temperature increases in the stratosphere because of the jet stream, and in the thermosphere because of aurora borealis.

• The temperature increases in the stratosphere because of direct exposure to the sun, and in the thermosphere because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation.

• The temperature increases in the stratosphere because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation, and in the thermosphere because of direct exposure to the sun.