The Atmosphere Chapter Test A Multiple Choice Write the letter of the correct answer on the line at the left. 1. Which of the following describes an example of the atmosphere acting as a system? a. its layered structure b. global wind patterns c. its composition d. deep ocean currents 2. What percent of our atmosphere is made up of gases other than oxygen and nitrogen? a. 5% b. 1% c. 10% d. 2% 3. Instruments used to measure air pressure are called a. thermometers. b. hygrometers. c. hydrometers. d. barometers. 4. The less mass in a given volume of air, the a. more the air weighs. b. greater the air pressure. c. more dense the air. d. less dense the air. 5. The layer of our atmosphere in which weather occurs is the a. troposphere. b. stratosphere. c. mesosphere. d. exosphere. 1
6. Earth s rotation makes global winds curve. This is called the a. convection effect. b. global effect. c. Coriolis effect. d. rotational effect. 7. As you rise upwards in the atmosphere, air pressure a. increases. b. decreases. c. doesn t change. d. first increases, then decreases. 8. From Earth to space, the main layers in our atmosphere are: a. troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere. b. stratosphere, troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere. c. mesosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, thermosphere. d. thermosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere. 9. Most of Earth s incoming ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by a. clouds. b. dust. c. ozone. d. water vapor. 10. The average energy of motion in the particles of a substance is called a. radiation. b. absorbed energy. c. thermal energy. d. temperature. 11. Heat transfer between two substances that are in direct contact is called a. conduction. b. thermal energy. c. convection. d. radiation. 2
12. Cool air tends to a. be less dense and flow over warm air. b. be lifted up by more dense warm air. c. be more dense and flow under warm air. d. mix easily with warm air masses. 13. The greenhouse effect is a. the absorption of energy by clouds. b. a gradual increase in the temperature of the atmosphere. c. the reflection of solar energy into the atmosphere. d. the process by which gases hold heat in the atmosphere. Completion Fill in the line to complete each statement. 14. An instrument called a(n) is used to measure how hot or cold the air is. 15. The name of the molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms is. 16. Scientists divide Earth s atmosphere into four main layers, classified according to changes in. 17. Uneven heating of the atmosphere leads to differences in, which causes wind. 18. Energy from the sun that reaches Earth is mostly in the form of visible light, infrared radiation, and radiation. True or False If the statement is true, write true. If it is false, change the underlined word or words to make the statement true. 19. On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of pure water is 0. 20. When you touch a hot spoon, heat is transferred by conduction from the spoon to your hand. 21. When heated, Earth s surface radiates some of the energy back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation. 22. People live in the thermosphere, or inner layer of the atmosphere. 23. Dry air is 78% nitrogen and 21% carbon dioxide. 3
Using Science Skills Use the diagram to answer each question. 24. Give the number and name of the layer that contains the ozone layer. 25. Describe the characteristics of the mesosphere and its role in protecting Earth from meteoroids. 26. What are the names of the six layers of the atmosphere shown? Essay Write an answer for each of the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. 27. Explain why military aircraft pilots must wear masks that provide oxygen when they fly at high altitudes. 28. Contrast the three ways in which heat is transferred. 4
Using Science Skills Use the diagram to answer each question. 29. In diagram Y, which way does the wind blow? Why? 30. In diagram X, which way does the wind blow? Why? Essay Write an answer for each of the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. 31. Explain why the region near the equator has little or no wind. 32. You plan to hike to the top of Mount Shasta, where you will measure the air pressure. Which type of barometer will be more practical to take? Explain your answer. 33. Describe three ways that the atmosphere helps living things survive on Earth. Include information in your answer about the characteristics of the different layers. 5