The composition of the atmosphere

Question 1

What is the atmosphere

Answer 1

• a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelope a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body

Question 2

Name some important natural processes that contribute to atmospheric gases

Answer 2

• photosynthesis
• respiration

Question 3

Define the term: dynamic equilibrium

Answer 3

• things change all the time but there is no observable change in the system

Question 4

Explain what happens in the process of photosynthesis

Answer 4

• plants take in CO2 from the atmosphere and water
• due to the high light availability, the plant produces glucose and oxygen
• the oxygen is then released into the atmosphere

Question 5

Explain what happens during respiration

Answer 5

• humans and animals take in oxygen and glucose
• they respire, and give out carbon dioxide and produce water

Question 6

When do plants respire

Answer 6

• all the time, whether it is dark or light

Question 7

When is the rate of photosynthesis at its greatest

Answer 7

• when there is higher light intensity
• when temperatures are high

Question 8

When is the rate of respiration greater then the rate of photosynthesis

Answer 8

• when there is no light
• sometimes in the winter

Question 9

Define transpiration

Answer 9

• process of water movement through a plant in which water is lost as water vapor from the aerial parts of the plants through stomata

Question 10

Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the troposphere

Answer 10

• decreases

Question 11

Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the stratosphere

Answer 11

• increases

Question 12

Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the mesosphere

Answer 12

• decreases

Question 13

Does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the thermosphere

Answer 13

• increases

Question 14

What causes the temperature to increase with height through the stratosphere

Answer 14

• due to the ozone layer being there that captures radiation

Question 15

What causes the decrease with height through the mesosphere

Answer 15

• because there is no ozone layer there for protection

Question 16

What causes the temperature to decrease with height in the troposphere

Answer 16

• troposphere is warned from below through absorption and re-emission of incoming solar radiation by the earths surface

Question 17

Define the term stratosphere

Answer 17

• is a layer of the earth’s atmosphere. it is the second layer of the earths atmosphere as you go upward

Question 18

Define the term troposphere

Answer 18

• the lowest layer is right below the stratosphere

Question 19

Define the term ozone

Answer 19

• an orderless, colourless gas made up of 3 oxygen molecules and is a natural part of the environment

Question 20

How do air density change with altitude

Answer 20

• higher at lower altitudes
• more space between air molecules at increased altitudes

Question 21

How do air pressure change with altitude

Answer 21

• as altitude increases pressure decreases

Question 22

How does the atmosphere support life

Answer 22

• aquatic species rely on dissolved oxygen
• creates pressure for liquid water
• protects us from harmful radiation