Atmospheric Layers Quiz

Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

• the stratosphere

• the troposphere

• the thermosphere

• the mesosphere

How does the temperature in the mesosphere change as the altitude increases?

• The temperature increases.

• The temperature decreases.

• The temperature remains the same throughout.

• The temperature increases and then decreases.

Scientists studying ice cores are measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide gas in which layer of Earth's atmosphere?

• mesosphere

• stratosphere

• thermosphere

• troposphere

The graph below shows some information about Earth's atmospheric layers. If the stratosphere did not contain the ozone layer shown, which prediction could BEST be made about Earth's atmosphere?

• The troposphere would have lower temperatures since there would be no ozone layer to trap heat near Earth's surface.

• The troposphere would remain the same temperature since the ozone layer's function is to block out incoming ultraviolet rays and not to regulate temperature.

• The troposphere would experience large temperature extremes each year as the seasons changed since there would be no ozone to regulate seasons.

• The troposphere would have higher temperatures since the lack of an ozone layer would allow Earth's surface to receive warmer air from the mesosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The table below shows some data about each of Earth's atmospheric layers. Which atmospheric layer is MOST LIKELY exposed to the least amount of damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun?

• Stratosphere

• Thermosphere

• Mesosphere

• Troposphere

The diagram shows the layers of Earth's atmosphere. Which statement BEST compares the atmospheric layers closest to and farthest from Earth's surface to the other layers of Earth's atmosphere?

• The pressure is lowest in these layers.

• The temperatures are highest in these layers.

• The temperatures are lowest in these layers.

• The pressure is highest in these layers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Ozone (O₃) is a pale blue gas at standard conditions. Ozone is one of the most toxic inorganic substances known, causing flexible materials, such as lung tissue, to become extremely brittle. Even though it is dangerous at ground level, ozone is important to life on Earth. Why is ozone important to life on Earth?

• Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from space.

• Ozone in the troposphere destroys excess atmospheric carbon dioxide.

• Ozone in the thermosphere absorbs energy that is reflected by Earth.

• Ozone in the biosphere maintains balanced ecosystem populations.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

How would life on Earth be affected if the atmosphere did NOT contain greenhouse gases?

• There would likely be a few less organisms on Earth because the lack of greenhouse gases would make Earth a little cooler.

• There would likely not be life on Earth because Earth's surface would be much hotter without the Sun's rays being blocked.

• There would likely be more diverse life on Earth because the lack of greenhouse gases would make Earth just a little warmer.

• There would likely not be life on Earth because its surface would be much colder and Earth's water would be frozen.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The table below shows the concentration of gases found in Earth's atmosphere. How does the oxygen in the atmosphere help protect and support life on Earth?

• It forms nutrients for plants by condensing and falling to the ground.

• It provides the gravity that all things need to keep from floating away.

• It creates cool temperatures on Earth by reflecting the Sun's rays.

• It provides the air necessary for the survival of living organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

How does Layer Z protect life on Earth?

• It reflects most light away from Earth's surface so that it does not damage plants and animals.

• It holds a lot of neon gas, which is required by the circulatory system of plants and animals.

• It contains insulating water vapor that is circulated and returned to Earth's surface.

• It contains mostly ozone, which makes this layer the warmest for living organisms.