Composition of the Atmosphere
The mixture of gases that surrounds Earth is called this.
Atmosphere (or air)
Air pressure is highest at this location
Sea level (or Earth’s surface)
Heat transfer by the movement of warm and cool air or liquid is called this.
Convection
The Coriolis effect is caused by Earth’s ______.
Rotation (or spinning)
The atmosphere protects Earth from the Sun’s harmful ______ rays.
Ultraviolet (UV)
This gas makes up about 78% of the atmosphere.
Nitrogen
As altitude increases, air pressure does this.
Decreases (drops / gets lower)
Warm air ______ and cool air ______.
Rises; sinks (or falls)
Because of the Coriolis effect, winds in the Northern Hemisphere curve to the ______.
left
The atmosphere helps keep Earth’s temperatures suitable for this important liquid.
Liquid water
These two gases together make up about 99% of dry air.
Nitrogen and oxygen
As altitude increases, the density of air does this.
Decreases
Unequal heating of Earth by the Sun causes these currents in the atmosphere.
Convection currents (or circulation)
The Coriolis effect makes moving air appear to curve instead of traveling in a straight ______.
Line (or path)
Without the atmosphere, day and night temperatures would be much more ______.
Extreme (or larger)
This gas makes up about 21% of the atmosphere and is needed for breathing.
Oxygen
There are more air molecules packed together near Earth’s surface because of this force.
Gravity
In a convection cycle, warm air rises, cools, sinks, and then is warmed again. This process helps move ______ around Earth.
Heat (or energy / air)
The Coriolis effect is stronger near the ______ and weaker near the equator.
Poles
The atmosphere provides oxygen for animals and carbon dioxide for plants. This supports the ______ of matter.
Cycling (or cycle / recycling)
Water vapor is a variable gas (0–4%) that is especially important for this cycle.
Water cycle (or weather / cloud formation)
Air is thinner (less dense) higher up because air molecules are more ______.
Spread out (or farther apart)
Convection currents in the atmosphere are driven by energy from the ______.
Sun (or solar energy)
Name one way the Coriolis effect affects global wind patterns.
It causes winds to curve / creates global wind belts / makes winds curve instead of going straight (any reasonable answer)
Name two important jobs of Earth’s atmosphere.
Provides oxygen / protects from UV / moderates temperature / allows liquid water (any two correct)