Earth's Spheres/Atmosphere

The stratosphere contains the Earth’s ozone layer.  The ozone blocks some solar radiation.  Which of the following would most likely happen if the ozone layer was removed from the atmosphere?

• Removing the ozone layer would cause higher temperatures.

• Removing the ozone layer would cause extinction of all life.

• Removing the ozone layer would cause a higher rate of skin cancer.

• Removing the ozone layer would cause the depletion of natural resources.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-7

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

The diagram to right shows how temperature changes with altitude in the atmosphere.  How does layer C of the atmosphere protect Earth’s surface?

• The mesosphere’s thickness helps break down meteors.

• The stratosphere’s thickness helps break down meteors.

• The mesosphere contains the ozone layer which helps absorb the Sun’s radiation.

• The stratosphere contains the ozone layer which helps absorb the Sun’s radiation.

In the diagram to the right, how does layer A support life on Earth?

• The mesosphere's thickness helps break down meteors.

• The thermosphere shields us from dangerous radiation from the sun.

• The troposphere contains the gases we breathe, and the water cycle we depend on.

• The stratosphere contains the ozone layer which helps absorb the suns radiation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Earth’s atmosphere helps to maintain the various climates found around the world and keeps Earth from becoming extremely cold all over.  How does the atmosphere help to keep Earth insulated and warm?

• The atmosphere creates heat as Earth moves through space, helping to insulate Earth.

• The atmosphere traps the heat generated by Earth's core and helps maintain Earth's cimate.

• The atmosphere helps spread the warmth from the water near the equator to other parts on Earth.

• The atmosphere helps trap heat energy from the Sun and energy radiated from Earth to maintain the climate.

The layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in

• temperature and air pressure

• altitude and air quality

• humidity and temperature

• air pressure and oxygen

In the picture below, a slow-moving mass of ice has gradually weathered and eroded rock away in a mountain valley. The landscape of rock has greatly changed.

 

Which statement below best explains the sphere that was affected in the transformation?

• geosphere: because the cryosphere scraped rock away as it slowly moved

• geosphere: because the hydrosphere scraped rock away as it slowly moved 

• biosphere: because the cryosphere flooded the valley eliminating trees and plants

• biosphere: because the hydrosphere flooded the valley eliminating trees and plants

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

When dead plants decompose, nitrogen is returned to the soil. Which two spheres are involved in this process?

• Biosphere and hydrosphere

• atmosphere and geosphere

• geosphere and hydrosphere

• biosphere and geosphere

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Water evaporates from the surface of a lake.  What two spheres are involved in this process?

• Atmosphere and geosphere

• geosphere and hydrosphere

• hydrosphere and atmosphere

• cryosphere and hydrosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Plants absorb sunlight and a gas called carbon dioxide from the air to make sugars. These sugars are stored and used as an energy source for the plants. When animals eat the plants, they acquire the energy stored in the plants. Which two spheres are described within these interactions?  

• Atmosphere and biosphere

• cryosphere and biosphere

• hydrosphere and biosphere

• geosphere and biosphere

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

In 1815 a volcano erupted, spewing billions of tons of ash into the sky.  This ash “cloud” caused global annual temperatures to drop below normal, causing “a year without a summer” in 1816. Which spheres are included in this description?

• biosphere and geosphere

• Geosphere and atmosphere

• Atmosphere and hydrosphere

• Hydrosphere and cryosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5