Q1ATM

How does the composition of the atmosphere influence the Earth's temperature?

• The composition of the atmosphere has no impact on temperature because it is only the distance from the Sun that determines temperature.

• The presence of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to higher temperatures.

• The atmosphere's composition is irrelevant because the Earth's temperature is controlled solely by ocean currents.

How does the ozone layer in the stratosphere contribute to the protection of life on Earth?

• The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface, where it can cause damage to living organisms.

• The ozone layer creates a barrier that prevents all UV radiation, including beneficial UV-B rays, from entering the atmosphere.

• The ozone layer filters out infrared radiation, which is harmful to plant life.

• The ozone layer helps to increase the temperature of the Earth by absorbing heat from the Sun.

What happens when the atmosphere's composition shifts, such as in the case of increased greenhouse gas concentrations?

• The increased greenhouse gases reduce the amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere, leading to a cooling effect on Earth.

• An increase in greenhouse gases traps more heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and altering weather patterns.

• The atmosphere becomes denser, preventing any radiation from escaping, and cooling Earth drastically.

• Increased greenhouse gases have no significant effect on temperature, as they do not influence heat retention.

How do the different layers of the atmosphere interact with the Sun's energy?

• The mesosphere absorbs most of the Sun's energy, warming the Earth's surface.

• The stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, while the troposphere helps in regulate the temperature.

• The thermosphere is the only layer that interacts with the Sun's energy, directly warming the Earth's surface.

• The layers of the atmosphere do not interact with the Sun's energy; instead, they reflect it back into space.

How does the troposphere enable the existence of life on Earth through weather patterns?

• The troposphere prevents any atmospheric movement, ensuring calm and stable weather patterns.

• The troposphere supports cloud formation and precipitation, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh water to ecosystems.

• The troposphere prevents the formation of clouds, reducing rainfall and preventing flooding.

• The troposphere only allows for dry, arid conditions that protect life by reducing water usage.

How does the angle of the noon Sun change as Earth moves from winter to summer in the Northern Hemisphere?

• The angle of the noon Sun decreases, causing cooler temperatures.

• The angle of the noon Sun increases, leading to warmer temperatures as summer approaches.

• The noon Sun angle remains the same, but seasonal changes are only due to changes in Earth's distance from the Sun.

• The angle of the noon Sun increases and then decreases in the summer, leading to fluctuating temperatures.

How does the tilt of Earth's axis affect the variation in the Sun's angle throughout the year?

• The tilt causes the Sun's angle to stay the same all year round.

• The tilt causes the Sun's angle to vary, with higher angles during summer and lower angles during winter.

• The tilt causes the Sun's angle to be lower during summer and higher during winter.

• The tilt has no effect on the Sun's angle; only the Earth's orbit influences this.

What effect does the Earth's axial tilt have on the seasonal distribution of solar energy?

• The axial tilt has no effect on solar energy distribution; it remains constant throughout the year.

• The axial tilt causes variations in solar energy distribution, leading to warmer summers and cooler winters.

• The axial tilt results in equal solar energy distribution across all seasons.

• The axial tilt only affects the amount of solar energy received at the poles, not at the equator.

How does the noon Sun angle at the equator compare to that at the poles during the equinox?

• The noon Sun angle is lower at the equator than at the poles.

• The noon Sun angle is the same at both the equator and the poles during the equinox.

• The noon Sun angle is higher at the equator, leading to warmer temperatures than at the poles.

• The noon Sun angle is higher at the poles than at the equator during the equinox.

What causes the variation in the length of daylight during different seasons?

• The Sun's position relative to Earth's orbit is fixed, so the length of daylight remains constant.

• The Earth's axial tilt causes one hemisphere to be tilted toward the Sun during the summer and away during the winter, altering the length of daylight.

• The Earth's distance from the Sun changes throughout the year, affecting the length of daylight.

• The length of daylight is solely dependent on the Sun's angle at noon.