The Atmosphere (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Flashcards
Exam code: 0680
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Which two gases make up most of clean air in the atmosphere?
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Which two gases make up most of clean air in the atmosphere?
Clean air is mostly nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%).
Define dry, clean air.
Dry, clean air is air that contains no water vapour.
Argon is an gas that makes up almost 1% of the atmosphere.
Argon is an inert gas that makes up almost 1% of the atmosphere.
What percentage of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide?
Carbon dioxide makes up about 0.04% of the atmosphere.
True or False?
The water vapour content of air is the same everywhere on Earth.
False.
Water vapour content varies with temperature and pressure, from over 4% in tropical rainforests to below 0.2% at the poles.
What happens to air pressure as height increases?
Air pressure decreases with height because there is less air above.
What divides the atmosphere into four layers?
Changes in temperature with height divide the atmosphere into four layers.
Define troposphere.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, up to about 10 km, where most weather happens.
The upper limit of Earth's weather and climate is the , where temperatures stay fairly constant.
The upper limit of Earth's weather and climate is the tropopause, where temperatures stay fairly constant.
Define stratosphere.
The stratosphere is the layer above the troposphere, from about 10 to 50 km, that contains the ozone layer.
True or False?
Temperature falls with height in the stratosphere.
False.
Temperature rises with height in the stratosphere, a temperature inversion caused by ozone.
In which layer do most meteors burn up?
Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere as they collide with gas molecules.
Why does temperature rise with altitude in the thermosphere?
Temperature rises with altitude in the thermosphere because of solar radiation.
Define ozone.
Ozone (O₃) is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms that absorbs much of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
How does high UV radiation affect phytoplankton?
High UV radiation damages DNA and slows photosynthesis in phytoplankton, which reduces primary production.
What health problems can high UV radiation cause in humans?
High UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, sunburn, premature skin ageing and damage to immune systems.
Define climate.
Climate is the average weather conditions in a specific area over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more.
Which weather elements make up the patterns of a climate?
A climate includes patterns of temperature, humidity and precipitation.
True or False?
Greenhouse gas concentrations are the only factor that influences climate.
False.
Climate also depends on solar radiation, atmospheric circulation patterns, ocean currents and land features.
The last 2.6 million years of Earth's history are the period.
The last 2.6 million years of Earth's history are the Quaternary period.
What are the warmer periods between cold periods called?
The warmer periods between cold periods are interglacial periods.
Define natural greenhouse effect.
The natural greenhouse effect is the naturally occurring process in which greenhouse gases and clouds trap energy in the atmosphere and warm Earth's surface.
What happens to some solar energy instead of heating the Earth?
Some solar energy is reflected back into space.
Greenhouse gases and clouds absorb energy and it in all directions, including back towards Earth's surface.
Greenhouse gases and clouds absorb energy and re-emit it in all directions, including back towards Earth's surface.
True or False?
Without the natural greenhouse effect, Earth would be too hot for life.
False.
Without it, Earth's average surface temperature would be about -18 °C instead of about 15 °C, making the planet too cold to be habitable.
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