6.1 Introduction to the Atmosphere

Which gas is the largest component of our atmosphere?

• Oxygen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Ozone

• Nitrogen

If starting at sea level and moving up, what is the correct order of atmospheric layers?

• Troposphere -- Mesosphere -- Stratosphere -- Thermosphere

• Thermosphere -- Troposphere -- Stratosphere -- Mesosphere

• Mesophere -- Troposphere -- Stratosphere -- Thermosphere

• Troposhere -- Stratosphere -- Mesosphere -- Thermosphere

Approximately how deep is the atmosphere?

• 50 km

• 100 km

• 1000 km

• 2000 km

Most reactions affecting life occur in which two layers of the atmosphere

• Troposphere and Thermosphere

• Troposphere and Stratosphere

• Troposphere and Mesosphere

• Stratosphere and Mesosphere

Which of the following is NOT an example of an abiotic factor?

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Tree cover

• Oxygen content

Which of the following statements is true in regards to how our atmosphere has changed from the Cambrian period?

• Overall CO2 content has decreased

• Global temperature has experienced a steady and consistent increase

• Overall oxygen content has decreased

• Global temperature has experienced a steady and consistent decrease

Which of the following is NOT true about the greenhouse effect?

• It is necessary for life on earth

• It brings earth's average surface temperature to ~30 degrees warmer than what it would otherwise be

• it is caused by atmospheric gases reducing heat losses by radiation back into space

• all of the above are true

What is solar radiation composed of?

• visible light

• ultraviolet light

• infrared heat

• all of the above

How much of the incoming solar radiation reaches the earth's surface

• 100%

• 55%

• 25%

• 5%

Which of the following is NOT true about greenhouse gases?

• The main ones are Carbon dioxide, water vapour, and methane

• they absorb and re-emit heat energy back to earth

• only molecules with single bonds can be greenhouse gases

• without greenhouse gases, the earth would be much colder