E

The diagram below shows a student’s model of the water cycle.

In which layer of the atmosphere does the process shown actually occur?

• mesosphere

• stratosphere

• troposphere

• thermosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which best describes the temperature change that occurs as elevation increases within the troposphere?

• Temperature increases as elevation increases.

• Temperature decreases as elevation increases.

• Temperature is random as elevation increases.

• Temperature remains constant as elevation increases.

When cold air is at the tops of mountains, the air

• will flow toward areas of lower pressure in valleys.

• will flow toward areas of higher pressure in valleys.

• is considered to be less dense than warmer air.

• is considered to be free of oxygen atoms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which best describes the cause of wind?

• Wind occurs when the movement of water on Earth’s surface causes uneven air currents creating conduction.

• Wind occurs when the uneven heating of Earth’s surface causes air to heat and cool creating convection.

• Wind occurs when the rotation of Earth along its axis creates movement of air currents.

• Wind occurs when the tilt of Earth creates uneven movement of air currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The saturation of surface rock with oxygen early in Earth’s history reflected a change in Earth’s atmosphere. This change directly made which life process possible?

• photosynthesis

• nitrogen fixation

• sulfur reduction

• aerobic respiration

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

In which layer of Earth’s atmosphere does weather occur?

• mesosphere

• stratosphere

• thermosphere

• troposphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Earth’s atmosphere is mainly composed of which gases?

• hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and argon

• nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide

• nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide

• helium, hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide

Which BEST explains why air temperatures near mountaintops are often much colder than air temperatures near sea level?

ABC.DThe lack of vegetation at se

• Large amounts of snowfall decrease the temperature.

• Air near mountaintops is less dense.

• Strong winds near mountaintops decrease temperatures

• The lack of vegetation at sea level allows the ground to absorb more heat.

Which best describes why commercial jets fly in the lower stratosphere?

ABCD

• This keeps the jet engines cool.

• Rising air decreases the chance of turbulence.

• Increased air molecules make for better air circulation.

• Decreased cloud coverage reduces friction on the wings.

Which of these statements BEST describes temperature as elevation in the atmosphere increases?

• Temperature remains constant with elevation in the thermosphere.

• Temperature remains constant with elevation in the mesosphere.

• Temperature generally decreases with elevation in the stratosphere.

• Temperature generally decreases with elevation in the troposphere.