Unit 2 - Earth's Atmosphere

Reorder the following layers of the atmosphere into the correct order, starting from Earth's surface.

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

What is the significance of the biogeochemical cycles?

• Biogeochemical cycles only impact Earth's movement in space.

• Biogeochemical cycles influence the release of gases through volcanic eruptions.

• Biogeochemical cycles maintain the constant flow of gases in the atmosphere.

• Biogeochemical cycles can cause destructive weather phenomena, such as thunderstorms.

Answer explanation

The carbon cycle, water cycle, oxygen cycle, and nitrogen cycle are the four biogeochemical cycles. These cycles ensure that major elements needed for living beings are constantly circulated on Earth's surface, as well as in the atmosphere.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

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What might happen if Earth gives out heat that exceeds the amount of incoming solar radiation?

• The average global temperature may drop, and Earth may become colder.

• There will be no change to Earth and its systems if it gives out excess heat.

• The climate of Earth will change and temperatures will increase 100 degrees within a year or two

• The average global temperature may rise, and Earth may become hotter.

Answer explanation

If Earth gives out more heat than it receives, it will affect the heat budget of Earth. The average global temperature may drop, and as a result, Earth may become colder.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

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Match the forms of energy with relevant examples.

• lightning strike

• electrical energy

• formation of ozone

• radiant energy

• sunlight reaching Earth

• chemical energy

• air circulation in the atmosphere

• kinetic energy

The air above land heats up quickly during the day and cools quickly at night. By what method is heat transferred from land to air in the atmosphere?

• conduction

• convection

• insulation

• evaporation

Answer explanation

Heat is transferred from land to air in the atmosphere through the process of convection. The heat that emerges from the ground initiates convection currents in the atmosphere, transferring the heat from sea to land and vice versa.

Which law of radiation can be applied to the situation shown in the image?

• Wien's Law

• Planck's Law

• Stefan–Boltzmann Law

• Kirchhoff's Law

Answer explanation

Planck's Law states that every object emits radiation at all times and all wavelengths.

The image shows that the sun is emitting radiation that belongs to all the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This indicates that the sun emits radiation of all wavelengths, which is the statement of Planck's Law.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

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Which of the following processes involve latent heat?

• melting of ice in polar regions

• reflection of sunlight by Earth's surface

• animals migrating to another area

• trapping of heat by greenhouse gases

Answer explanation

Latent heat is the hidden heat that is required for a substance to change its state. The melting of ice involves a change in the state of water from solid to liquid.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

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Winds blow from hotter regions of Earth toward colder regions, thereby regulating the amount of heat in the atmosphere. Which law of thermodynamics is applicable in this process?

• the zeroth law of thermodynamics

• the first law of thermodynamics

• the second law of thermodynamics

• the third law of thermodynamics

Answer explanation

The second law of thermodynamics states that heat moves naturally from a hotter to a colder body. Hence, the second law of thermodynamics applies to the motion of wind from hotter to colder regions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-4

Which process occurs in the image as radiation bounces back off the land or clouds at the same angle and intensity with which it was received?

• transmission

• absorbtion

• reflection

• scattering

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Which process occurs in the image as radiation bounces off the dust particles in different directions?

• transmission

• absorbtion

• reflection

• scattering