The atmosphere

Question 1

What gases does the atmosphere contain?

Answer 1

Nitrogen (78%)
Oxygen (21%)
Other, e.g. carbon dioxide and methane (0.04%)

Question 2

Features of the troposphere. 5

Answer 2

Extends from Earth’s surface to 12 km up
Temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere, the Earth’s surface warms the troposphere so the further away from the surface the cooler it gets
Lots of turbulence, warms aris rises through the layer and cool air sinks
Has lots of clouds, there’s a lot of water vapour that has evaporated from the Earth’s surface
Tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere. Jet stream are found just below the tropopause

Question 3

Features of the stratosphere. 4

Answer 3

Extends from 12 km to 50 km up
Temperature increases with altitude, the ozone layer is found in the lower stratosphere - it absorbs UV radiation which warms the upper stratosphere
Isn’t turbulent and there aren’t many clouds
Stratopause is the boundary of the stratosphere and mesosphere

Question 4

Features of the mesosphere. 3

Answer 4

Extends from 50 km to 85-90 km up
Temperature decreases with altitude, its warmed by the stratosphere so the further away from the stratosphere the cooler it gets
Mesopause is the boundary of the mesosphere and thermosphere

Question 5

Features of the thermosphere. 2

Answer 5

Extends from 85-90 km to 1000 km up

Temperature increases with altitude, small amounts of oxygen in this layer absorb UV radiation, warming the thermosphere