8.2 Earth and Atmospheric Science

• Earth's atmosphere is held in place by gravity
• The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation
• The Earth's atmosphere is held in place by gravity.


  True
• Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

  Stratosphere
• The thermosphere has increasing temperatures due to the absorption of solar radiation.


  True
• Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation to warm the planet.


  True
• Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide
• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide
• Why is carbon dioxide considered a major greenhouse gas?

  It traps infrared radiation
• Methane has a relative warming potential of 25
• Solar energy uses photovoltaic cells or solar thermal technology
• Match the sustainable energy source with its description:

  Solar energy ↔️ Harnesses energy from the sun

  Wind energy ↔️ Captures the kinetic energy of wind

  Hydroelectric power ↔️ Generates electricity from water flow

  Geothermal energy ↔️ Utilizes heat from the Earth's interior
• Earth's atmosphere is held in place by gravity
• What does the ozone layer in the stratosphere absorb?

  Ultraviolet radiation
• What are the five layers of Earth's atmosphere from lowest to highest?

  Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
• How does the greenhouse effect protect life on Earth?

  By warming the planet
• Arrange the layers of Earth's atmosphere from lowest to highest.

  1️⃣ Troposphere

  2️⃣ Stratosphere

  3️⃣ Mesosphere

  4️⃣ Thermosphere

  5️⃣ Exosphere
• In the mesosphere, temperature decreases with increasing altitude
• What are the main greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere?

  Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide
• Match the greenhouse gas with its contribution to global warming:

  Carbon Dioxide ↔️ 76%

  Methane ↔️ 16%

  Nitrous Oxide ↔️ 6%

  Fluorinated Gases ↔️ 2%
• Greenhouse gases keep the planet warm enough to support life.


  True
• Deforestation reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO₂.


  True
• Steps in the process by which CO₂ contributes to global warming

  1️⃣ CO₂ is released into the atmosphere

  2️⃣ CO₂ traps infrared radiation

  3️⃣ Heat is retained near the Earth's surface

  4️⃣ Global temperatures increase
• CO₂ has a lower relative warming potential compared to other greenhouse gases but contributes the most to global warming due to its high concentration.

  True
• Wind energy captures the kinetic energy of wind using wind turbines.

  True
• Temperatures in the thermosphere increase due to the absorption of solar radiation.


  True
• What are the four main greenhouse gases?

  CO₂, CH₄, H₂O, N₂O
• The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere
• Match the atmospheric component with its approximate percentage by volume:

  Nitrogen ↔️ 78%

  Oxygen ↔️ 21%

  Argon ↔️ 0.93%

  Other gases ↔️ 0.07%
• The layer of gases surrounding Earth is called the atmosphere
• The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere is called the troposphere
• Carbon dioxide contributes 76% to global warming.
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Trapping heat in the atmosphere
• What is the primary driver of climate change?

  Global warming
• What are sustainable energy sources?

  Renewable forms of energy
• How does hydroelectric power generate electricity?

  From the flow of water
• Sustainable energy sources produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions.


  True
• Order the layers of Earth's atmosphere from closest to farthest from the surface:

  1️⃣ Troposphere

  2️⃣ Stratosphere

  3️⃣ Mesosphere

  4️⃣ Thermosphere

  5️⃣ Exosphere
• Temperatures in the mesosphere decrease with increasing altitude
• What is the thermosphere characterized by?

  Increasing temperatures