Question

place the alpha answer (a,b,c,d) in the highlighted area
multiple choice

1. why do different layers of the atmosphere have different temperatures?

a. the higher you go up, the colder it gets.
b. the layers closer to the sun are hotter and the layers nearer the earth are colder
c. there is no wind in the upper atmosphere
d. some layers contain gasses that absorb the suns energy, while other layers do not.

1. what two gasses are most common in our atmosphere?

a. argon and oxygen
b. nitrogen and oxygen
c. carbon dioxide and oxygen
d. methane and helium

1. which layer of the atmosphere do you live in?

a. exosphere
b. thermosphere
c. troposphere
d. mesosphere

1. what might you find in the exosphere?

a. space shuttle
b. jet plane
c. burning meteors
d. hot air balloon

1. what might you find in the stratosphere?

a. space shuttle
b. ozone
c. burning meteors
d. radio waves

Explanation:

1. Temperature variation in atmospheric layers is caused by differential absorption of solar energy by gases in each layer.
2. Nitrogen makes up ~78% and oxygen ~21% of Earth's atmosphere, the two most abundant gases.
3. Humans reside in the lowest atmospheric layer, where all surface weather occurs.
4. The exosphere is the outermost atmospheric layer, where spacecraft and satellites operate.
5. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet solar radiation.

Answer:

1. d. Some layers contain gasses that absorb the sun's energy, while other layers do not.
2. b. Nitrogen and oxygen
3. c. Troposphere
4. a. Space shuttle
5. b. ozone