Chapter 15: The Atmosphere

What is the atmosphere?

• The bottom layer of the gases that surround the Earth

• The thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth

• The magnetic field of the Earth

• None of these are correct.

What is the most common gas in the atmosphere?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Argon

• Carbon dioxide

How much of the atmosphere is made up by the element oxygen?

• About 80% - four fifths

• About 50% - half

• About 20% - a fifth

• All of it! That's how we breathe!

If the relative humidity of the air is 80%, which statement is true?

• The air is holding 80% of the water vapor that can be held at that temperature

• The air is 80% water vapor

• There is an 80% chance of rain or snow

• There is an 80% chance that your relatives are humid

Water vapor becomes liquid and becomes rain during this process

• Evaporation

• Sublimation

• Perforation

• Condensation

What are clouds made of?

• Methane

• Carbon dioxide

• Oxygen

• Water vapor

Why is the temperature generally hotter toward the equator and cooler toward the poles?

• There is more cloud cover there

• There are more plants and animals near the equator; these hold heat

• The sun's rays strike those areas more directly than others

• This isn't a true statement; the air is cooler nearer the equator

The force exerted by air on the area below it is

• Relative humidity

• Atmospheric pressure

• Tropospheric phenomenon

• Aurora borealis

What is a barometer?

• An instrument used to measure temperature

• An instrument used to measure air pressure

• An instrument used to measure wind speed

• An instrument used in a symphony orchestra

Why is air pressure lower on tall mountains?

• Because there's more air above them to press upward

• Because there's less air above them to press downward

• Because the humidity is higher there

• Because the thermosphere is hotter than the other layers of the atmosphere