Atmosphere and Ocean Currents

A student puts water in a long glass tank to make a model of ocean currents. He heats the left side of the tank and cools the right side. This heating and cooling produces a current of water in the tank. Which diagram correctly shows the flow of the water?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Many types of living cells, including human skin cells, can be damaged or killed if exposed to ultraviolet light from the Sun. How does the Earth's atmosphere protect organisms on the surface from exposure to ultraviolet light?

• A. Gaseous water reflects most ultraviolet light from the Sun back into space.

• B. Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs most ultraviolet light from the Sun.

• C. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere absorbs most infrared light from the Sun.

• D. Oxygen in the atmosphere scatters most ultraviolet light from the Sun.

In polar areas, water on the ocean's surface can freeze. As the water turns into ice, salts are squeezed out of the ice and enter the liquid water below the ice layer.

What is the result of this?

• A. The water's density increases, and the water sinks.

• B. The liquid water changes to carbon dioxide.

• C. The temperature of the water below the ice increases.

• D. The mass of the water below the ice increases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The graph below shows how temperature changes with altitude (height) in the Earth's atmosphere.

In the mesosphere and ____________ as altitudes increase, temperatures _________________

• troposphere, increase

• troposphere, decrease

• stratosphere, increase

• stratosphere, decrease

During the day, the temperature of the air on an island is much higher than the temperature of the air above the surrounding water. Which statement best explains how the air pressure on the island compares with the air pressure over the water?

• A. The air pressure above the water will be higher because of water pressure.

• B. The air pressure on the island will be higher because the air has more energy.

• C. The air pressure on the island will be lower because warm air expands.

• D. The air pressure above the water will be lower because cold air is more dense.

Which graph best represents the relationship between pressure and altitude (height) in the Earth's atmosphere?

• 
• 
• 
• 

The image models how air can move by convection

at the Earth's equator.

Which statement best describes this process?

• A. Convection currents are driven by the orbit of Earth around the Sun.

• B. Differences in gravity at various latitudes causes the rising and sinking of air.

• C. Convection currents on Earth are driven by the gravitational pull of the Sun.

• D. Differences in air density cause the rising and sinking of air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

When you feel wind, you are feeling the movement of Earth's atmosphere. Imagine that the pocket of atmosphere above your town is heated by the Sun.

Which of the following best describes the movement that will take place in that pocket of atmosphere?

• A. There will be no movement; heated air does not have the energy move.

• B. The heated air will sink down to the surface.

• C. The heated air will vibrate in place, causing a swirling wind.

• D. The heated air will rise, and cooler air will move into its place.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Marie drew a diagram to describe atmospheric convection.

What causes atmospheric convection?

• A. The Sun's energy cools the ground, cooling air at the surface and causing the air to sink.

• B. Energy from deep in the Earth cools the ground, cooling air at the surface and causing the air to sink.

• C. The Sun's energy heats the ground, heating air at the surface and causing the air to rise.

• D. Energy from deep in the Earth heats the ground, heating air at the surface and causing the air to rise.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Above is an image that is displaying the temperature and altitude of Earth's atmospheric layers.

What is the layer of Earth's atmosphere that has the coldest temperature range?

• A. troposphere

  B. mesosphere

  C. stratosphere

  D. exosphere

• B. mesosphere

• C. stratosphere

• D. exosphere