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Earth Science - The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is composed of a group of gases.

Earth Science - The Atmosphere

This Science quiz is called 'Earth Science - The Atmosphere' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at middle school. Playing educational quizzes is a fabulous way to learn if you are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade - aged 11 to 14.

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What is one of the most vital things that all living creatures need in order to survive? Water is definitely one, food another and being able to reproduce is yet another. However, none of these would help us if living things couldn’t breathe. We need oxygen to be able to breathe. Oxygen that is found in the air. It is the Earth’s air that allows for life on Earth. This air is also known as atmosphere.

The study of the Earth’s atmosphere and weather patterns is known as meteorology. Those who study these two Earth Science areas are known as meteorologists.

The atmosphere is composed of a group of gases. These gases are made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% of a number of other gases including argon, carbon dioxide and helium. The atmosphere is really a very thin layer that surrounds Earth and is kept in place by the gravitational pull of the Earth. The atmosphere protects the Earth from the harmful rays of the sun and it acts rather like a blanket by keeping the surface of the planet warm.

The atmosphere is then divided into four main layers. These layers include the following:

Layers of the Atmosphere:

  1. The Troposphere. The Troposphere is the lowest portion of the Earth’s atmosphere. It extends from the surface of the Earth upwards for approximately 7 miles making it the level in which we and all life lives. It is also the level in which Earth’s weather occurs. However, the higher up in the Troposphere that you go, the oxygen levels decrease making it impossible to breathe.
  2. The Stratosphere. The Stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere and is located between the Troposphere and the Mesosphere. It begins approximately 7 miles above the Earth’s surface and extends to about 31 miles up from there. The Stratosphere is very dry with very little water vapors. Because of this, it is very difficult for any clouds to appear in this layer. This is the reason why most commercial airplanes fly in the lower levels of the Stratosphere. Turbulence is much lower and less frequent allowing for smoother flights. In addition, weather balloons are sent into the Stratosphere and burst in its upper levels.
    The ozone is found in the Stratosphere level. The ozone absorbs the sun’s energy and converts it to heat to be able to keep the Earth’s air warm.
  3. The Mesosphere. The Mesosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that lies between the Stratosphere and the Thermosphere. In the Mesosphere, temperature decreases as altitude increases. It is in the Mesosphere where most meteoroids burn up and where you can see the trails of meteors.
  4. The Thermosphere. The Thermosphere is divided into two parts, i.e., the Ionosphere and the Exosphere. The Ionosphere is the lower level of the Thermosphere. It is in the Ionosphere where the aurora borealis occurs.

The aurora borealis is often referred to as the “Northern Lights” and on some occasions the “Southern Lights.” This light show phenomenon occurs when particles from the sun enter into the Ionosphere near either the North Pole or the South Pole. When the particles strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the Ionosphere, their impact emits a glow in the sky.

The Exosphere is the upper or outer level of the Thermosphere. It is in this layer where television, as well as telephone and satellites are sent to orbit the Earth.

The Thermosphere does not have a definite outer limit meaning that it doesn’t just suddenly end but rather extends outward into space. It extends above the Earth’s surface for upwards of 621 miles but then thins out so its actual end is unknown. The Space Shuttles and the Space Station orbit the Earth in the Thermosphere.

Now whenever you look upward, you’ll have a little more understanding what’s up there. It also gives you an appreciation of the importance of each layer of our atmosphere.

Feeling confident? If so, take a look at the following ten questions about the atmosphere and see just how many you can get right without having to take a look back at this introduction.

1.
The study of the atmosphere and weather conditions is known as ______.
meteoroid
meteorology
meteor
meteorologist
The study of the atmosphere and weather conditions is known as meteorology. Answer (b) is correct
2.
Which of the following gases is NOT a part of the atmosphere?
Argon
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Radon
The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% of other gases that include argon, carbon dioxide and helium. It does NOT include radon. Answer (d) is correct
3.
This is really a very thin layer that surrounds Earth and is kept in place by the gravitational pull of the Earth.
The aurora borealis
The ozone
The atmosphere
The Ionosphere
The atmosphere is really a very thin layer that surrounds Earth and is kept in place by the gravitational pull of the Earth. Answer (c) is correct
4.
This is where most meteoroids burn up and where you can see the trails of meteors.
The Mesosphere
The Stratosphere
The Troposphere
The Thermosphere
The Mesosphere is where most meteoroids burn up and where you can see the trails of meteors. Answer (a) is correct
5.
This level of the atmosphere extends from the surface of the Earth upwards for approximately 7 miles making it the level in which we and all life lives.
The Stratosphere
The Mesosphere
The Thermosphere
The Troposphere
The Troposphere extends from the surface of the Earth upwards for approximately 7 miles making it the level in which we and all life lives. Answer (d) is correct
6.
This light show phenomenon occurs when particles from the sun enter into the Ionosphere near either the North Pole or the South Pole.
Ozone
Aurora borealis
Clouds
Water vapors
The aurora borealis is a light show phenomenon that occurs when particles from the sun enter into the Ionosphere near either the North Pole or the South Pole. Answer (b) is correct
7.
This does not have a definite outer limit meaning that it doesn’t just suddenly end but rather extends outward into space.
The Ionosphere
The Stratosphere
The Thermosphere
The ozone
The Thermosphere does not have a definite outer limit meaning that it doesn’t just suddenly end but rather extends outward into space. Answer (c) is correct
8.
Most commercial airplanes fly in this layer of the atmosphere.
The Stratosphere
The Troposphere
The Exosphere
The Mesosphere
Most commercial airlines fly in the Stratosphere. Answer (a) is correct
9.
The Thermosphere extends upward from the Earth’s surface for _____ miles and then thins so that we don’t know where it ends.
56
621
31
65
The Thermosphere extends upward from the Earth’s surface for 621 miles and then thins so that we do not know exactly where it ends. Answer (b) is correct
10.
The aurora borealis occurs in this layer of the atmosphere.
The Mesosphere
The Exosphere
The Stratosphere
The Ionosphere
The aurora borealis occurs in the Ionosphere layer of the atmosphere. Answer (d) is correct
Author:  Christine G. Broome

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