Atmospheric Structure and Composition

What are the permanent gases found in the atmosphere?

• Helium

• Carbon Dioxide

• Methane

• Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon

Name two variable gases present in the atmosphere and their impact on the environment.

• Hydrogen and water vapor are the variable gases present in the atmosphere and they have no impact on the environment.

• Argon and helium are the variable gases present in the atmosphere and they contribute to air pollution.

• Oxygen and nitrogen are the variable gases present in the atmosphere and they have no impact on the environment.

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) have a significant impact on the environment due to their contribution to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Which gases are considered as greenhouse gases and how do they contribute to global warming?

• Nitrogen, which contributes to global warming by absorbing excess heat from the sun

• Helium, which contributes to global warming by increasing atmospheric pressure

• Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

• Oxygen, which contributes to global warming by depleting the ozone layer

What are trace gases and why are they important in the atmosphere?

• Trace gases are harmful to the atmosphere and contribute to air pollution.

• Trace gases are unimportant in the atmosphere and have no effect on the Earth's temperature.

• Trace gases are only found in the Earth's oceans and have no impact on the atmosphere.

• Trace gases are important in the atmosphere because they contribute to the greenhouse effect and help regulate the Earth's temperature.

Explain the role of aerosols in the atmosphere and their impact on climate.

• Aerosols in the atmosphere only have a warming effect on the climate

• Aerosols in the atmosphere only have a cooling effect on the climate

• Aerosols in the atmosphere can have both cooling and warming effects on the climate. They can scatter sunlight back to space and act as cloud condensation nuclei, leading to the formation of more clouds, which can have a cooling effect. However, some aerosols can absorb sunlight and warm the atmosphere. The overall impact of aerosols on climate is complex and depends on various factors.

• Aerosols in the atmosphere have no impact on climate

Define the tropopause and its significance in the atmospheric structure.

• The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere, and its significance lies in its role as a barrier that prevents mixing between the two atmospheric layers.

• The tropopause is the boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere, and its significance lies in its role as a barrier that prevents mixing between the two atmospheric layers.

• The tropopause is the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere, and its significance lies in its role as a barrier that prevents mixing between the two atmospheric layers.

• The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the ionosphere, and its significance lies in its role as a barrier that prevents mixing between the two atmospheric layers.

Which of the following statement about the vertical distribution of water vapor is FALSE?

• As explained by the Clausius-Clapeyron relationship, warm air has greater capacity to “hold” moisture than cold air.

• Water vapor in the atmosphere (specific humidity) tends to drop off rapidly with altitude.

• With sufficient water availability, this makes the tropical near-surface the most humid area on Earth.

• Moisture in the atmosphere increases rapidly with height due to the increasing temperature lapse rate in the troposphere.

What are the characteristics of the troposphere and how does it differ from the other atmospheric layers?

• The troposphere is characterized by increasing temperature with increasing altitude

• The troposphere is characterized by decreasing temperature with increasing altitude, weather phenomena, and the presence of most of the Earth's clouds and weather systems. It differs from the other atmospheric layers in its proximity to the Earth's surface and its role in supporting life and weather patterns.

• The troposphere is characterized by the absence of clouds and weather systems

• The troposphere differs from the other atmospheric layers in its location in outer space

Discuss the composition of the mesosphere and its role in the atmosphere.

• The mesosphere is composed mainly of oxygen, nitrogen, and other trace gases. Its role in the atmosphere is to protect the Earth from meteoroids by causing them to burn up upon entry.

• The mesosphere is composed mainly of water vapor and carbon dioxide. Its role in the atmosphere is to regulate the Earth's temperature.

• The mesosphere is composed mainly of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Its role in the atmosphere is to absorb harmful UV radiation.

• The mesosphere is composed mainly of helium and methane. Its role in the atmosphere is to create the ozone layer.

Explain the importance of the stratosphere in protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation.

• The stratosphere contains a layer of ozone that absorbs and blocks a significant amount of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting life on Earth from its harmful effects.

• The stratosphere actually amplifies the harmful effects of UV radiation

• The stratosphere is not important in protecting life from UV radiation

• UV radiation has no harmful effects on life on Earth