1.
The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place:
Correct Answer
B. Weather
Explanation
Weather refers to the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a specific time and place. It includes elements such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure. Weather conditions can change rapidly and are usually short-term, lasting for hours or days. Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term average weather patterns in a particular region. Air quality relates to the level of pollutants and contaminants in the air. Therefore, weather is the correct answer as it specifically describes the atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place.
2.
The earth's atmosphere is 78% of what gas?
Correct Answer
C. Nitrogen
Explanation
The correct answer is nitrogen because it makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. Oxygen, helium, and carbon dioxide are also present in the atmosphere but in much smaller quantities compared to nitrogen.
3.
A form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two:
Correct Answer
C. Ozone
Explanation
Ozone is a form of oxygen that consists of three oxygen atoms in each molecule, instead of the usual two found in regular oxygen molecules. It is created through the reaction of oxygen molecules with ultraviolet light or electrical discharges. Ozone is commonly found in the Earth's atmosphere, where it plays a crucial role in protecting us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is also used in various industrial applications, such as water purification and air disinfection, due to its strong oxidizing properties.
4.
Which of the following is not one of the major sources of air pollutants that we covered in "Air Pollution, What's the solution?"
Correct Answer
E. Oxygen
5.
What forms when nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides combine with water?
Correct Answer
A. Acid rain
Explanation
When nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides combine with water, they form acid rain. Acid rain is a type of precipitation that has a lower pH level than normal rainwater. It is caused by the release of pollutants, such as nitrogen and sulfur compounds, into the atmosphere from human activities like burning fossil fuels. These pollutants react with water in the atmosphere to form nitric acid and sulfuric acid, which then fall to the ground as acid rain. Acid rain can have harmful effects on the environment, including damage to plants, aquatic life, and infrastructure.
6.
What type of air pollution is formed in cities like Los Angeles?
Correct Answer
B. pHotochemical smog
Explanation
In cities like Los Angeles, photochemical smog is formed as a type of air pollution. This type of smog is a result of the reaction between sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds emitted from vehicles, industrial processes, and other sources. These reactions produce a mixture of pollutants, including ozone, which can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Photochemical smog is characterized by a brownish haze and is commonly found in urban areas with high levels of traffic and industrial activity.
7.
What is the formula for density?
Correct Answer
C. Density=mass/volume
Explanation
The formula for density is given by dividing the mass of an object by its volume. This relationship is expressed as density = mass/volume. By dividing the mass of an object by its volume, we can determine how much mass is packed into a given volume, which is the measure of density.
8.
An instrument that is used to measure changes in air pressure:
Correct Answer
C. Barometer
Explanation
A barometer is an instrument used to measure changes in air pressure. It consists of a sealed glass tube filled with mercury or another liquid, with one end open to the atmosphere and the other end sealed. As the air pressure changes, it causes the liquid level in the tube to rise or fall. This change in liquid level is then used to determine the corresponding change in air pressure. A thermometer measures temperature, not air pressure, and a pressurizer is not a commonly used instrument for measuring air pressure.
9.
What is the difference between a mercury and aneroid barometer?
Correct Answer
A. One has liquid mercury and the other does not.
Explanation
The correct answer is that one barometer has liquid mercury while the other does not. This means that a mercury barometer uses a column of mercury to measure air pressure, while an aneroid barometer uses a flexible metal chamber. The presence or absence of liquid mercury is the key difference between the two types of barometers.
10.
The distance above sea level is:
Correct Answer
C. Altitude
Explanation
Altitude refers to the height of a point or location above sea level. It is a measure of vertical distance, specifically the distance from the Earth's surface to a point in the atmosphere. Latitude and longitude, on the other hand, are coordinates used to determine a location's position on the Earth's surface. While height can also refer to the vertical distance, it is a more general term that can be used to describe the distance of an object or location from a reference point, not necessarily sea level. Therefore, altitude is the most appropriate term to describe the distance above sea level.
11.
Air pressure increases as altitude increases.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement is incorrect. As altitude increases, the air pressure decreases. This is because the higher we go in the atmosphere, the less air there is above us, resulting in lower pressure. Therefore, the correct answer is false.
12.
Helium balloons float in the air because:
Correct Answer
B. Helium is less dense than air
Explanation
Helium balloons float in the air because helium is less dense than air. Density is a measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume. Since helium is lighter than air, it has a lower density. When a balloon is filled with helium, the gas inside the balloon is less dense than the surrounding air, causing it to float upwards. This is due to the principle of buoyancy, where objects that are less dense than the fluid they are in will float.
13.
When air pressure decreases, the density of air also decreases.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
When air pressure decreases, the density of air also decreases because as the pressure decreases, the air molecules have more space to move around and spread out. This results in a decrease in the number of air molecules per unit volume, leading to a decrease in density.
14.
How many layers are in the atmosphere?
Correct Answer
C. 4
Explanation
The correct answer is 4 because the atmosphere is divided into four main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Each layer has its own unique characteristics and plays a crucial role in regulating temperature, weather patterns, and protecting life on Earth.
15.
The lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere is the:
Correct Answer
C. TropospHere
Explanation
The correct answer is troposphere because it is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 10-15 kilometers. It is where weather occurs and contains the majority of the Earth's air mass. The other options, such as the stratosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere, are higher layers of the atmosphere.
16.
The ozone layer is found in the:
Correct Answer
A. StratospHere
Explanation
The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere. It extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The ozone layer is a region within the stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone molecules. Ozone plays a crucial role in absorbing and filtering out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth.
17.
This layer of the atmosphere is very hot and the air is very thin.
Correct Answer
C. ThermospHere
Explanation
The thermosphere is the correct answer because it is the layer of the atmosphere that is very hot and has very thin air. This layer is located above the mesosphere and extends to the exosphere. In the thermosphere, temperatures can reach up to thousands of degrees Celsius due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation. Despite the high temperatures, the air in this layer is extremely thin, making it difficult for humans to breathe.
18.
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the aurora borealis "The Northern Lights"
Correct Answer
B. IonospHere
Explanation
The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a natural light display that occurs in the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is located between the mesosphere and the exosphere. It is characterized by high concentrations of ions and free electrons, which interact with solar radiation to produce the colorful lights of the aurora borealis.