module 2 study guide assignment

S21_Module2Atmosphere.pdf

1. Which atmospheric layer contains all our weather on

Earth?

2.. What are the four most abundant gasses in today’s amosphere along with their

percentage of the total. Which of these show the greatest

variation from place to place?

3. What is the difference between permanent gasses

and variable gasses? List the top 3 for each.

4.. What are the two atmospheric gasses that have

the biggest affect on the Earth’s climate and why?

5. How is carbon dioxide naturally produced and

naturally distroyed near the earth’s surface? How is the

amount of carbon dioxide in the air currently impacted by

human activity?

6. Explain how the atmosphere “protects” inhabitants at the

earth’s surface.

7. Describe some of the important roles that water plays in our atmosphere.

MODULE 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE ATMOSPHERE 1/2

8.. What are the thermal layers of the atmosphere? Outline

what happens to temperature as you increase in altitude

within the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and

thermosphere.

9. Which atmospheric layer contains the highest concentration of ozone? The highest average air

temperature?

10. Explain the concept of air pressure. Why does air

pressure always decrease with increasing height?

11. Describe the coriolis effect. What is its cause?

12. How does the coriolis effect influence the speed an object, the direction it moves,

and how fast the object moves?

13. On the diagram to the right, draw in how the

coriolis effect would deflect the moving objects (arrows)

depicted in the diagram.

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