Weather and Air Basics
Which gas is most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere?
Nitrogen
T/F: Carbon dioxide makes up most of the air.
false
Which layer is closest to Earth and where weather happens?
Troposphere
What type of heat transfer comes from the Sun?
Radiation
What causes wind?
Differences in air pressure
What is the atmosphere?
The envelope of gases surrounding Earth
What form of water in the air helps form clouds?
Water Vapor
Which layer contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
What is conduction?
Heat transfer by direct contact
Wind moves from areas of high ____ to low ____.
Pressure → pressure
Which gas makes up about 21% of the air and helps fires burn?
Oxygen
Name one tiny particle found in air.
Dust, smoke, salt, chemicals (any one of these)
Which layer burns up most meteoroids?
Mesosphere
What is convection?
Heat transfer by movement of fluids (warm rises, cool sinks)
What tool measures wind speed?
Anemometer
What is weather?
Condition of Earth's atmosphere at a certain time/place
Which gas do plants use to make food?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Which layer is the outermost with very thin air?
Thermosphere
What is radiation?
Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves
What tool measures air pressure?
Barometer
Name one way humans increase carbon dioxide in the air.
Burning fossil fuels (cars, factories), burning coal/gasoline
Why is oxygen important for living things and fire?
Needed for breathing/respiration and burning
Put these in order from lowest to highest: Thermosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere.
Troposphere → Stratosphere → Mesosphere → Thermosphere
Which process mainly transfers heat in the troposphere?
Convection currents
Why do people get short of breath at high altitudes?
Air pressure/density are lower, so fewer oxygen molecules per breath