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Comparing atmospheres

Total questions: 21

Worksheet time: 31mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The most plentiful chemical elements found in the Sun and the gas giants are...
a)
hydrogen and helium
b)
nitrogen and oxygen
c)
carbon dioxide and nitrogen
d)
hydrogen and methane
2.
Compared to the terrestrial planets of the inner Solar System, the gas giants contain mainly ____________ gases in their atmospheres.
a)
heavier gases
b)
lighter gases
c)
inert gases (not chemically active)
d)
reactive gases
3.

Which two terrestrial planets have atmospheres dominated by carbon dioxide CO2?

a)

Venus and Earth

b)

Mercury and Mars

c)

Venus and Mars

d)

Venus and Mercury

4.

Among the terrestrial planets, Earth's atmosphere is exceptional because...

a)

it contains low amounts of nitrogen N2.

b)

it has a high % of argon Ar.

c)

it has a high % of oxygen and a low % of carbon dioxide.

d)

it has a large % (>10%) of greenhouse gases.

5.
Earth's first atmosphere was composed of high amounts of...
a)
nitrogen and oxygen
b)
carbon dioxide and nitrogen
c)
hydrogen and helium
d)
methane and argon
6.

The two primary greenhouse gases that moderate Earth's climate today are ...

a)

carbon dioxide and water vapor

b)

nitrogen and ozone

c)

nitrogen and argon

d)

hydrogen and helium

7.
Greenhouse gases generate "heat" in the atmosphere by...
a)
undergoing a chemical reaction
b)
undergoing fusion
c)
absorbing infrared  light
d)
reflecting incoming sunlight
8.
The planet with practically no atmosphere at all is _________________.
a)
Mars
b)
Mercury
c)
neither one
9.
The gas giants are different from the terrestrial planets because they
a)
have smaller atmospheres
b)
are less dense
c)
have larger atmospheres
d)
are more colorful
10.

Which planet is the hottest due to the greenhouse effect?

a)

Mercury

b)

Venus

c)

Earth

d)

Neptune

11.
A layer of air that surrounds Earth to keep us warm is called ...
a)
atmosphere
b)
Sun's rays
c)
ozone layer
d)
air pressure
12.

What protects Earth from ultraviolet rays from the sun?

a)

ozone layer

b)

mesosphere

c)

air pressure

d)

troposphere

13.

What gas makes up the majority of the Earth's modern atmosphere?

a)

oxygen

b)

nitrogen

c)

water vapor

d)

carbon dioxide

14.
What is the percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?
a)
1%
b)
21%
c)
78%
d)
90%
15.
What is the percentage of nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere?
a)
1%
b)
21%
c)
78%
d)
90%
16.

Which layer of the Earth's atmosphere contains the greatest amount of water vapor?

a)

Thermosphere

b)

Troposphere

c)

Mesosphere

d)

Stratosphere

17.
Jupiter is often described as a gas giant; which of the following gases is it composed of?
a)
All gases from the periodic table
b)
oxygen, carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases
c)
hydrogen and helium
d)
none of the above
18.

what is the atmosphere of Uranus made of (choose 3) mostly

a)

ammona

b)

hydrogen

c)

methane

d)

helium

19.

What is Neptunes' atmospheric composition?

a)

Hydrogen, Helium, methane

b)

Oxygen and Nitrogen

c)

Methane and ammonia

d)

carbon dioxide and Argon

20.

What enables any atmosphere stay in place around the planet?

a)

gravity

b)

air pressure

c)

types of air molecules

d)

solar wind

21.

As you go higher in the troposphere, away from Earth's surface, the temperature _______________.

a)

decreases

b)

increases

c)

stays the same

d)

is not measurable due to lack of molecules