Download Earth Science: Study Guide for Ch

Earth Science: Study Guide for Ch. 11 on the Atmosphere

To prepare for this test use your reference tables (pages 12, 13, 14, and cloud base altitude chart),
notes, handouts, homework assignments, and labs.
1. What are the 3 most abundant elements in our atmosphere? In what percentage are they found?
a.
b.
c.
2. What are some other trace elements found in our atmosphere?
3. Why is it important that the levels of water vapor and carbon dioxide not increase too much? How
does the percentage of these compounds become elevated?

Label the 4 major levels of the atmosphere on the diagram below and the boundaries.
4. In which layer does most of our weather take place?
5. Name the sub layer within the thermosphere (a.) and the layer beyond the thermosphere (b.)
a.
b.
6. In which layer of the atmosphere is ozone found? Why is ozone so important to protect in our
atmosphere?
7. Why is the “ion”osphere named the ionosphere? What phenomenon occurs there?
8. “Shooting Stars” have nothing to do with stars, but if you have been lucky enough to see one, you
saw a meteor burn up in this layer of the atmosphere.
9. Give 3 characteristics on how scientists arranged the 4 levels of the atmosphere?
a.
b.
c.
10. How are pressure and temperature related the higher you climb in
the troposphere?
11. Which layer of the atmosphere is the densest? What does this
mean?
12. In which layers of the atmosphere does temperature decrease with altitude? What is a temperature
inversion? In which layers of the atmosphere does it occur?
13. What is the difference between heat and temperature?
14. What are the 3 forms of heat transfer? Give an example of each.
a.
b.
c.
15. In what manner does heat flow? Use the terms sink and source.
16. Name the instruments commonly used to measure the following atmospheric variables
a. Temperature
b. Air Pressure
1.
2.
c. Moisture in the air
1.
2.
d. Air movement
1. wind speed
2. wind direction
e. Atmospheric Transparency
17. Describe what happens to temperature as the air pressure increases? Decreases? Explain why in
terms of molecular motion.
18. How is the relative humidity determined? Describe both methods.
19. Describe two methods to determine the dew point temperature?
a.
b.
20. What is the dew point temperature and how does it relate to cloud formation?
21. How is cloud base altitude determined?
22. List the condition needed to form clouds.
a.
b.
c.
d.
23. Name and define the 5 terms commonly used to name clouds.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
24. Name some clouds and identify some common characteristics for:
a. low level clouds
b. mid level clouds
c. high level clouds
25. Create a drawing of the water cycle with arrows including conduction, convection, radiation,
precipitation, evaporation, high pressure, low pressure, condensation nuclei, condensation, dew
point temperature, warm air, cool air, land (the ground), water, clouds, and the sun.
26. Know how to use pages 12, 13, and 14 of the reference tables and cloud base altitude chart.
27. Can you name the clouds? http://www.sporcle.com/games/clouds.php
28. Can you name the layers of the atmosphere? http://www.sporcle.com/games/atmospherelayers.php
29. Can you name the gases that compose the atmosphere?
http://www.sporcle.com/games/air_composition.php