Earth's Atmosphere Quiz

What is the atmosphere?

• The layer of water surrounding Earth

• The area of gas surrounding Earth

• The solid crust covering Earth

• The inner core of Earth

If the Earth were scaled to the size of an apple, how would the thickness of the atmosphere compare to the apple?

• The atmosphere would be thicker than the apple itself

• The atmosphere would be about half the thickness of the apple

• The atmosphere would be no thicker than the skin on the apple

• The atmosphere would be as thick as the apple's core

Does the Earth's atmosphere have a definitive top?

• Yes, it has a clear and defined boundary

• No, there is no real top to the atmosphere, it just gradually thins

• Yes, it ends exactly at the height of Mount Everest

• No, it extends infinitely into space

What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere?

• 21%

• 78%

• 0.04%

• 0.90%

What is the second most abundant gas in the atmosphere?

• Carbon dioxide

• Argon

• Oxygen

• Neon

Which gas has an approximate percentage of 0.04% in the atmosphere?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Argon

• Carbon dioxide

Which of the following gases is not listed under 'Others' in the pie chart?

• Neon

• Helium

• Argon

• Radon

What happened to the primitive atmosphere of the Earth?

• It was absorbed by the oceans

• It was blown away with solar winds

• It was destroyed by meteorites

• It was converted entirely into oxygen

How was the 'new' atmosphere on Earth formed?

• Through the cooling of the Earth's surface

• By photosynthesis and outgassing from volcanoes

• By the impact of comets

• By the gravitational pull of the moon

Approximately how many years ago did photosynthesis begin contributing to the formation of Earth's 'new' atmosphere?

• 1.2 billion years ago

• 2.2 billion years ago

• 3.2 billion years ago

• 4.2 billion years ago