Unit 3A Progress Check (Atmosphere)

Label the layers of the atmosphere on this diagram.

a

b

c

d

thermosphere

mesosphere

troposphere

stratosphere

If Earth lacked a mesosphere, the long-term effect on Earth’s ecosystems would be (a)  

• plant life would thrive due to meteor dust.
• more meteors would reach the surface.
• the stratosphere would absorb meteor impacts.
• nothing significant would change.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The stratosphere contains the Earth’s ozone layer. The ozone blocks some solar radiation. What would happen if the ozone layer was removed from the atmosphere?

• The removal of the ozone layer would cause a higher rate of skin cancer
• The removal of the ozone layer would cause an extinction of all life.
• The removal of the ozone layer would cause the depletion of natural resources.
• The removal of the ozone layer would cause higher temperatures.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

In the thermosphere, the temperature is very high, but it does not feel hot to humans. Which statement best explains why the thermosphere does not feel hot?

• There are too few particles to transfer much heat to your skin.

• The particles move too slowly to create heat.

• The thermosphere is made entirely of cold gases.

• It is farther from the Sun than other layers.

Which of these latitudes would have the highest average temperature?

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Sophia is curious about why we have different seasons on Earth. She wonders what would happen if Earth’s axis were not tilted. The combined global effects Sophia would expect are: (a)  

• a stronger Coriolis effect
• constant, unchanging seasons
• increased rainfall at the equator
• extreme temperature differences

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What would happen to the nitrogen cycle if nitrogen-fixing bacteria disappeared from the environment?

• Atmospheric nitrogen would accumulate, and plants would struggle to obtain usable nitrogen.

• Oxygen levels would rapidly increase.

• Earth's temperature would decrease significantly.

• More nitrogen would be available for animal respiration.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The scientific effect that causes storms to spin clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere is (a)   , and the underlying reason for this is (b)   .

• Jet stream shifts; seasonal changes
• Coriolis effect; Earth's rotation
• Trade winds; ocean currents
• Greenhouse effect; atmospheric comp

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Imagine a spacecraft is launched and ends up in the thermosphere instead of the exosphere. What is the most likely outcome and why?

• It would remain in stable orbit due to low air resistance.

• It would experience significant drag and could overheat from atmospheric particles.

• It would fall back to the troposphere because of gravity.

• It would escape Earth's gravity and move into deep space.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the main reason that tropical rainforests are found near the equator and not in areas farther north or south?

• A. Warm, moist air rises at the equator, leading to frequent rainfall.

• B. The equator has more plants than other regions.

• C. The equator receives less sunlight than deserts.

• D. Deserts are formed by rivers drying up near the equator.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6