Earth's Atmosphere - AP Environmental Science

Identify the global wind pattern located at the equator.

Trade winds. Blow from east to west near the equator.
What is the primary gas in Earth's atmosphere by volume?

Nitrogen. Makes up about 78% of the atmosphere by volume.
What is the primary human activity that increases atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Burning fossil fuels. Releases stored carbon from coal, oil, and natural gas.
What is the process by which water vapor enters the atmosphere?

Evaporation. Solar energy converts liquid water to water vapor.
What is the main factor that influences local atmospheric pressure?

Altitude. Higher altitude means less atmospheric mass above.
Which atmospheric layer protects Earth from meteoroids?

Mesosphere. Meteors burn up due to friction in this layer.
What is the primary method of heat transfer from the sun to Earth?

Radiation. Electromagnetic energy travels through space without matter.
Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to Earth's surface?

Troposphere. Extends from Earth's surface to about 12 km altitude.
What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?

21%. Second most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere.
How does atmospheric pressure change with altitude?

Decreases with altitude. Less air mass above creates lower pressure.
Which process describes the release of water from plants into the atmosphere?

Transpiration. Water vapor exits through leaf pores called stomata.
In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?

Stratosphere. Contains the highest concentration of ozone molecules.
What term describes the cycling of carbon through the atmosphere, oceans, and organisms?

Carbon cycle. Carbon moves between atmosphere, land, and ocean reservoirs.
Identify the greenhouse gas produced by agricultural activities.

Methane. Released from livestock, rice fields, and landfills.
What is the name of the high-altitude, fast-moving air currents?

Jet streams. Found in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere.
What is the term for the effect of Earth's atmosphere trapping heat?

Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases prevent heat from escaping to space.
What is the term for the apparent deflection of moving air due to Earth's rotation?

Coriolis effect. Earth's rotation deflects moving air masses.
What is the significance of the ionosphere?

It reflects radio waves back to Earth. Enables long-distance radio communication around Earth.
Identify the process where plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

Carbon fixation. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic compounds.
What term describes the long-term average of weather patterns in an area?

Climate. Average weather conditions over 30+ years.
Which atmospheric layer contains the ionosphere?

Thermosphere. High-energy solar radiation ionizes gas molecules here.
What term describes the warming of Earth's surface due to trapped heat?

Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth.
What is the main consequence of thinning of the ozone layer?

Increased UV radiation reaching Earth. More harmful radiation reaches Earth's surface.
What is the term for the movement of air from high to low pressure?

Wind. Air flows from areas of higher to lower pressure.
What is the average temperature decrease per kilometer in the Troposphere?

$6.5^\text{o} \text{C/km}$ . Known as the environmental lapse rate.
What is the boundary between the Troposphere and the Stratosphere called?

Tropopause. Marks where temperature stops decreasing with altitude.
What is the term for the transfer of heat through the atmosphere by mass movement?

Convection. Warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating circulation.
Identify the process of water vapor turning into liquid in the atmosphere.

Condensation. Water vapor cools and changes back to liquid droplets.
What gas in the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide. Traps heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
Identify the primary source of energy that drives Earth's atmospheric processes.

The Sun. Solar radiation powers weather, climate, and atmospheric circulation.
Identify the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.

Troposphere. Contains most atmospheric water vapor and air movement.
What is the unit of measurement for atmospheric pressure?

Pascal (Pa) or Millibar (mb). Standard units for measuring atmospheric force per area.
What atmospheric layer is least dense?

Exosphere. Outermost layer where atmosphere gradually merges with space.
What is the main function of the ozone layer?

To absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Protects life by filtering harmful solar radiation.
What is the primary component of smog?

Ground-level ozone. Forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants near Earth's surface.

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