Layers
This is the lowest layer in the atmosphere.
Troposphere
Heat transfer through direct contact.
Conduction.
Ozone is a form of this element.
Oxygen
Cool air is more ______ than warm air.
Dense
We fly kites in this layer.
Troposphere
This layer contains the ozone layer.
Stratosphere
Heat transfer through space in waves.
Radiation
The ozone layer protects Earth from this type of radiation.
Ultraviolet (UV)
As altitude increases, air pressure does this.
Decreases
Airplanes fly in this layer to avoid weather.
Stratosphere
This is the coldest atmospheric layer.
Mesosphere
Heat transfer through movement of liquids or gases.
Convection
The Sun gives off this type of wave radiation.
Short-wave radiation
Why does warm air rise?
It is less dense.
A hot air balloon rises because of this process.
Convection
This layer has extremely high temperatures and very few air molecules.
Thermosphere
The Sun warms your skin. What type of heat transfer?
Radiation
What might happen if the ozone layer were destroyed?
More UV radiation would reach Earth, causing harm to living things.
Why is it harder to breathe at high altitudes?
Air pressure is lower and air is less dense.
A metal spoon gets hot in soup. What process?
Conduction
Explain why temperature increases in the stratosphere.
Because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
Explain how radiation, conduction, and convection work together to heat the atmosphere.
Sun radiates energy → surface heats by radiation → air heats by conduction → air rises by convection.
Why does the thermosphere have very high temperatures?
It absorbs high-energy solar radiation.
Explain how convection currents form in the atmosphere.
Warm air rises, cool air sinks, creating circular motion.
Explain why most weather happens in the troposphere.
It contains most air, water vapor, and is heated from Earth’s surface.