Earth's Atmosphere Quiz

The Earth’s early atmosphere consisted mainly of methane with traces of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour.

• True

• False

The main source of the gases in the Earth’s early atmosphere was volcanic eruption.

• True

• False

As the Earth gradually cooled down, the water vapour in the atmosphere cooled and condensed to form the oceans.

• True

• False

Methane from the atmosphere dissolved in the oceans, so the relative amount present, fell over time.

• True

• False

Algae evolved and used carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis.

• True

• False

Algae respired, producing oxygen, which was released into the atmosphere.

• True

• False

Carbon dioxide in the sea reacted with metal oxides to form insoluble carbonates locking up carbon dioxide.

• True

• False

Over the past 200 million years the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere has remained relatively stable at 0.04%.

• True

• False

The amount of oxygen in the air is 78%.

• True

• False

The main greenhouse gases are ozone, carbon dioxide and water vapour.

• True

• False