ELSS

Question 1

Atmosphere

Answer 1

The ‘sphere’ of gases surrounding the planet

Question 2

Geosphere

Answer 2

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. It’s divided into tectonics plates. Also known as the Lithosphere

Question 3

Hydrosphere

Answer 3

All the waters on the earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas

Question 4

Biosphere

Answer 4

The space at the Earth’s surface and within the atmosphere occupied by living organisms

Question 5

Cryosphere

Answer 5

The frozen part of the Earth’s surface, including the polar ice caps, continental ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost

Question 6

GHG

Answer 6

A gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.

Question 7

Water vapour

Answer 7

Water in its gaseous state, especially in the atmosphere and at a temperature below the boiling point. Water vapor in the atmosphere serves as the raw material for cloud and rain formation.

Question 8

Ice crystals

Answer 8

Ice crystals are solid ice exhibiting atomic ordering on various length scales and include hexagonal columns, hexagonal plates, dendritic crystals, and diamond dust. The hugely symmetric shapes are due to depositional growth, namely, direct deposition of water vapour onto the ice crystal.

Question 9

Goldilocks zone

Answer 9

Our planet occupies what scientists sometimes call the Goldilocks zone. Its distance from our star means it is neither too hot, nor too cold to support liquid water - thought to be a key ingredient for life. Astronomers are searching for rocky planets like ours in the Goldilocks zones of other stars.

Question 10

Benign conditions

Answer 10

Gentle and kind conditions

Question 11

How much of the lands surface do oceans occupy?

Answer 11

71% of the earth’s surface

Question 12

What do the oceans do with heat?

Answer 12

They create moderate temperatures by storing it and releasing it slowly

Question 13

How much incoming solar radiation do clouds reflect?

Answer 13

Around ⅕ of incoming solar radiation & lower surface temperatures.

Question 14

How much higher would global temperatures be if water vapor, potent GHG absorbs long wave radiation from earth?

Answer 14

Almost 15°C higher than they would be otherwise.

Question 15

Flora

Answer 15

the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Question 16

Fauna

Answer 16

the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.