Layers of the Atmosphere
What two gases make up most of Earth’s dry air?
Nitrogen and oxygen
The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is called ___.
Temperature
The state of the atmosphere at any given time and place is ___.
Weather
What causes the seasons on Earth?
Earth’s tilt on its axis
Temperatures over land change more __ than over water.
Quickly / more extremely / rapidly
In which layer is ozone concentrated?
Stratosphere
What type of heat transfer moves energy through direct contact?
Conduction
Long-term average conditions of an area describe ___.
Climate
On which two dates do the Sun’s rays strike the equator directly?
The equinoxes (March 21 & September 21)
Which hemisphere has smaller annual temperature variations, and why?
Southern Hemisphere — more ocean area
What happens to temperature as altitude increases in the troposphere?
It decreases
What type of heat transfer moves energy by rising and sinking air?
Convection
Which of these describes climate: a one-day snowstorm or mild, dry Southern California?
Mild, dry Southern California
When is the Northern Hemisphere tilted toward the Sun?
Summer solstice (June 21)
What characteristic causes clouds to reflect sunlight back into space?
High albedo
Describe the troposphere’s position among the four main layers.
It’s the lowest layer, where weather occurs
Which type of energy transfer can occur through empty space?
Radiation
What factors are measured when describing weather?
Temperature, humidity, precipitation, air pressure, wind
About how much of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface and atmosphere?
Roughly 70%
Why is Vancouver milder than inland cities at the same latitude?
Marine (Pacific Ocean) influence vs Continental influence
How does atmospheric pressure change with altitude?
It decreases as altitude increases
The atmosphere is constantly heated by ___.
Radiation from the Sun
Explain the difference between primary and secondary pollutants.
Primary are emitted directly (e.g., CO); secondary form in the air (e.g., ozone)
What happens to the rest of the incoming solar radiation?
It’s reflected or scattered back into space
Why are Quito and Guayaquil at different temperatures despite similar latitudes?
Altitude differences