1c. define: barometer
an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure
1a. define: Atmosphere
the mass of air surrounding a planet
1b. define: atmospheric pressure
the pressure exerted by the atmosphere on all objects within it
1e. define: heterosphere
the upper layer of earth’s atmosphere, which exists higher than 80 kilometers (50 miles) above sea level
1g. define: stratosphere
the region of the atmosphere that spans altitudes of roughly 11 kilometers to 48 kilometers (30 miles)
1h. define: mesosphere
the region of the atmosphere that spans altitudes of roughly 48 kilometers to 80 kilometers (50 miles)
1i. define: jet streams
narrow bands of high speed winds that circle the earth, blowing from west to east
1j. define: heat
energy that is transferred as a consequence of temp differences
1l. define: thermosphere
the region of the atmosphere between altitudes of roughly 80 kilometers and 460 kilometers
1k. define: temperature
a measure of the energy of random motion in a substance’s molecules
1m. define: exosphere
the region of the atmosphere above an altitude of roughly 460 kilometers
1n. define: ionosphere
the region of the atmosphere between the altitudes of roughly 65 kilometers and 330 kilometers, where the gases are ionized
- Two students make two different barometers. Although they are placed side by side so that they are both exposed to the same atmospheric pressure, the column of liquid in the first students barometer is significantly lower than the column of water in the second students barometer. Assuming both students made their barometers correctly, what explains the difference?
the students used different liquids
- Suppose the earth’s atmosphere contained twice the number of molecules it does today. Would atmospheric pressure be greater than, equal to, or less than it is now?
atmospheric pressure would be greater than it is now
- The average sea level value for atmospheric pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch, which is the same as 29.9 inches of mecury. If the atmospheric pressure is 0.85 atms, which of the following values would correspond to atmospheric pressures reported in a weather report?
- 1 inches of mercury-29.9 inches of mercury- 25.4 inches of mercury
an atmospheric pressure of 25.4 inches of mercury would be reported
- You are reading the data coming from a data-gathering balloon as it rises in the atmosphere. You have no idea what the altitude it is at, but the balloon is sending a signal from its thermometer, telling you the temperature of its surroundings. How will you know when it enters the stratosphere? How will you know when it enters the mesosphere?
The balloon enters the stratosphere when its temperature readings cease to decrease and begin increasing. The balloon enters the mesosphere when the temperature readings cease increasing and begin decreasing again.
- Two vials contain air samples taken at different altitudes. The first is composed of 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen, and 1 percent other. The second is 95 percent helium, 4 percent hydrogen, and 1 percent other. Which came from the homosphere?
the first one
- Name the three regions of the homosphere, from lowest to highest.
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere
- Although the temp gradient changes form region to region in the homosphere, there is one gradient that stays the same. It continues to decrease as you increase in altitude, no matter where you are in the homosphere. To what gradient am I referring?
“amount gradient” or pressure gradient
- A plane is experiencing a lot of problems because of a storm in the area. Is the plane flying in the troposphere or the stratosphere?
troposphere
- A scientist has two vials of ammonia gas. She tells you that in the first vial, the gas molecules are traveling with an average sped of 1,000 miles per hour. In the second vial, they are traveling with an average speed of 1,300 miles per hour. Which vile contains the gas with the higher temperature?
the second gas
- As you are outside on a cold winter night, you begin to shiver from the cold. You companion says you are shivering from the heat. Is your companion correct? why or why not?
your companion is correct; heat is energy that is being transferred; the reason you are cold is that energy is being transferred from your body to the surrounding air
- Suppose there were a layer of carbondioxide gas in the mesosphere. What would happen to the temperature gradient in that region?
The temperature gradient would reverse, getting warmer near that region.
- Why will the ban of CFCs most likely not save or improve people’s lives?
A ban on CFCs will probably not save or improve peoples lives because CFCs cause a depletion of ozone only during a few months out of the year and mostly over Antarctica.
