Earth's Atmosphere - AP Environmental Science
Card 1 of 30
Identify the greenhouse gas produced by agricultural activities.
Identify the greenhouse gas produced by agricultural activities.
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Methane. Released from livestock, rice fields, and landfills.
Methane. Released from livestock, rice fields, and landfills.
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Which atmospheric layer protects Earth from meteoroids?
Which atmospheric layer protects Earth from meteoroids?
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Mesosphere. Meteors burn up due to friction in this layer.
Mesosphere. Meteors burn up due to friction in this layer.
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What gas in the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
What gas in the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
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Carbon dioxide. Traps heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
Carbon dioxide. Traps heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
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What is the significance of the ionosphere?
What is the significance of the ionosphere?
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It reflects radio waves back to Earth. Enables long-distance radio communication around Earth.
It reflects radio waves back to Earth. Enables long-distance radio communication around Earth.
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What is the main factor that influences local atmospheric pressure?
What is the main factor that influences local atmospheric pressure?
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Altitude. Higher altitude means less atmospheric mass above.
Altitude. Higher altitude means less atmospheric mass above.
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What term describes the warming of Earth's surface due to trapped heat?
What term describes the warming of Earth's surface due to trapped heat?
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Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth.
Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth.
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Identify the global wind pattern located at the equator.
Identify the global wind pattern located at the equator.
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Trade winds. Blow from east to west near the equator.
Trade winds. Blow from east to west near the equator.
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In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?
In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?
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Stratosphere. Contains the highest concentration of ozone molecules.
Stratosphere. Contains the highest concentration of ozone molecules.
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Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to Earth's surface?
Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to Earth's surface?
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Troposphere. Extends from Earth's surface to about 12 km altitude.
Troposphere. Extends from Earth's surface to about 12 km altitude.
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What gas in the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
What gas in the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
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Carbon dioxide. Traps heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
Carbon dioxide. Traps heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
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What term describes the long-term average of weather patterns in an area?
What term describes the long-term average of weather patterns in an area?
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Climate. Average weather conditions over 30+ years.
Climate. Average weather conditions over 30+ years.
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What is the unit of measurement for atmospheric pressure?
What is the unit of measurement for atmospheric pressure?
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Pascal (Pa) or Millibar (mb). Standard units for measuring atmospheric force per area.
Pascal (Pa) or Millibar (mb). Standard units for measuring atmospheric force per area.
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Which atmospheric layer contains the ionosphere?
Which atmospheric layer contains the ionosphere?
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Thermosphere. High-energy solar radiation ionizes gas molecules here.
Thermosphere. High-energy solar radiation ionizes gas molecules here.
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What term describes the cycling of carbon through the atmosphere, oceans, and organisms?
What term describes the cycling of carbon through the atmosphere, oceans, and organisms?
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Carbon cycle. Carbon moves between atmosphere, land, and ocean reservoirs.
Carbon cycle. Carbon moves between atmosphere, land, and ocean reservoirs.
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Identify the process where plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
Identify the process where plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
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Carbon fixation. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic compounds.
Carbon fixation. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic compounds.
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Identify the primary source of energy that drives Earth's atmospheric processes.
Identify the primary source of energy that drives Earth's atmospheric processes.
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The Sun. Solar radiation powers weather, climate, and atmospheric circulation.
The Sun. Solar radiation powers weather, climate, and atmospheric circulation.
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Identify the global wind pattern located at the equator.
Identify the global wind pattern located at the equator.
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Trade winds. Blow from east to west near the equator.
Trade winds. Blow from east to west near the equator.
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Identify the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.
Identify the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.
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Troposphere. Contains most atmospheric water vapor and air movement.
Troposphere. Contains most atmospheric water vapor and air movement.
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In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?
In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?
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Stratosphere. Contains the highest concentration of ozone molecules.
Stratosphere. Contains the highest concentration of ozone molecules.
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Identify the process of water vapor turning into liquid in the atmosphere.
Identify the process of water vapor turning into liquid in the atmosphere.
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Condensation. Water vapor cools and changes back to liquid droplets.
Condensation. Water vapor cools and changes back to liquid droplets.
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Which process describes the release of water from plants into the atmosphere?
Which process describes the release of water from plants into the atmosphere?
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Transpiration. Water vapor exits through leaf pores called stomata.
Transpiration. Water vapor exits through leaf pores called stomata.
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What term describes the warming of Earth's surface due to trapped heat?
What term describes the warming of Earth's surface due to trapped heat?
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Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth.
Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth.
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What is the process by which water vapor enters the atmosphere?
What is the process by which water vapor enters the atmosphere?
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Evaporation. Solar energy converts liquid water to water vapor.
Evaporation. Solar energy converts liquid water to water vapor.
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What is the primary component of smog?
What is the primary component of smog?
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Ground-level ozone. Forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants near Earth's surface.
Ground-level ozone. Forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants near Earth's surface.
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How does atmospheric pressure change with altitude?
How does atmospheric pressure change with altitude?
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Decreases with altitude. Less air mass above creates lower pressure.
Decreases with altitude. Less air mass above creates lower pressure.
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What is the main factor that influences local atmospheric pressure?
What is the main factor that influences local atmospheric pressure?
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Altitude. Higher altitude means less atmospheric mass above.
Altitude. Higher altitude means less atmospheric mass above.
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What is the primary human activity that increases atmospheric carbon dioxide?
What is the primary human activity that increases atmospheric carbon dioxide?
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Burning fossil fuels. Releases stored carbon from coal, oil, and natural gas.
Burning fossil fuels. Releases stored carbon from coal, oil, and natural gas.
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What is the term for the movement of air from high to low pressure?
What is the term for the movement of air from high to low pressure?
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Wind. Air flows from areas of higher to lower pressure.
Wind. Air flows from areas of higher to lower pressure.
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What is the term for the transfer of heat through the atmosphere by mass movement?
What is the term for the transfer of heat through the atmosphere by mass movement?
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Convection. Warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating circulation.
Convection. Warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating circulation.
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What is the significance of the ionosphere?
What is the significance of the ionosphere?
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It reflects radio waves back to Earth. Enables long-distance radio communication around Earth.
It reflects radio waves back to Earth. Enables long-distance radio communication around Earth.
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