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.

Auroras occur where Earth’s magnetosphere traps high-energy particles in which region of the atmosphere?

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

A student reads the following statement. The presence of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere is important to Earth’s ability to support human life. How would Earth be different without greenhouse gases in its atmosphere?

• More heat from solar radiation would escape into space.

• More solar radiation would be reflected back into space.

• More solar radiation would penetrate Earth’s crust and mantle.

• More heat from solar radiation would be stored in Earth’s core.

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

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

• carbon monoxide

• carbon dioxide

• nitrous oxide

• water vapor

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation from Earth’s surface and re-radiate some of it back to Earth. Which of these gases have the MOST significant impact on the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere?

• nitrogen and argon

• oxygen and sulfur dioxide

• carbon dioxide and water vapor

• hydrochloric acid and hydrogen

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Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat near Earth’s surface. Which of these is a greenhouse gas?

• nitrogen

• argon

• water vapor

• oxygen

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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

The stratosphere contains ozone  which interacts with the ultraviolet radiation that reaches Earth from the Sun. How does the action of ozone in the stratosphere affect Earth?

• Ozone is essential for living organisms to breathe.

• Ozone maintains the magnetic field around Earth.

• Ozone stores heat to be transferred to the surface of Earth.

• Ozone removes electromagnetic radiation that is harmful to living things.

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The following table identifies primary gases released by three active volcanoes. These data allow scientists to use a volcano as a model for which system?

• sources for compounds in Earth’s early atmosphere

• sources for compounds in atmospheres on other planets

• chemical requirements of early plants on Earth

• chemical makeup of magma on other planets

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which is most often a result of a warm air mass moving over a cooler air mass?

• a decrease in wind speed

• a decrease in cloud cover

• an increase in precipitation

• an increase in air pressure

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5