Earth Science SOL Review Sheet #3 : Atmosphere and Meteorology
Essential Knowledge and Skills
 The early atmosphere contained little oxygen
and more carbon dioxide than the modern
atmosphere.
 Early photosynthetic life such as cyanobacteria
(blue-green algae) consumed carbon dioxide and
generated oxygen.
 It was only after early photosynthetic life
generated oxygen that animal life became
possible.
 Earth’s atmosphere is 21 percent oxygen, 78
percent nitrogen, and 1 percent trace gases.
 The atmosphere of Venus is mostly carbon
dioxide and very dense.
 The atmosphere of Mars is very thin and mostly
carbon dioxide.
 Human activities have increased the carbon
dioxide content of the atmosphere.
 Man-made chemicals have decreased the ozone
concentration in the upper atmosphere.
 Volcanic activity and meteorite impacts can inject
large quantities of dust and gases into the
atmosphere.
 The ability of Earth’s atmosphere to absorb and
retain heat is affected by the presence of gases
like water vapor and carbon dioxide.
 Explain how volcanic activity or meteor impacts
could affect the atmosphere and life on Earth.
 Explain how biologic activity, including human
activities, may influence global temperature and
climate.
infrared radiation from the sun, forming a “heat
blanket” around Earth
Radiation - energy transmitted as rays or waves
without the need of a substance to conduct the
energy
Barometer - an instrument used to measure air
pressure
Dew point - the temperature at which
condensation develops
Humidity - the amount of water vapor in the air
Carbon dioxide - CO2; a gas that is naturally
found in the air, also comes from burning wood,
from running vehicles on gasoline, and from
exhaling
Precipitation - any form of water that returns
from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface including:
rain, snow, sleet, and hail
Condensation nuclei - any particle onto which
water vapor condenses
Now You Try It!
Practice Questions: Circle the
correct answer!
1. Which statement best explains the
difference in the average yearly temperature
range for the two cities?
Important Words You Need to Know:
Weather: day-to-day changes in atmospheric
conditions
Climate: typical weather patterns for a certain
location over many years; climate is affected by
latitude, elevation, how close the area is to a
major body of water and whether or not it is close
to mountains
Cyanobacteria - blue green algae; a simple
photosynthetic life form that helped introduce
oxygen into Earth’s ancient atmosphere
Troposphere - the layer of the atmosphere
closest to the earth’s surface
Isobar - line on a weather map that connects
locations with the same air pressure
Convection - transfer of heat energy in a fluid
(gas or liquid) by means of currents
Ozone - gas in Earth’s atmosphere formed when
three atoms of oxygen combine, absorbs
ultraviolet radiation
Greenhouse effect - process in which carbon
dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere absorb
A
B
C
D
City B is located in a different global wind belt.
City B receives less yearly precipitation.
City B has a greater yearly duration of insolation.
City B is located near a large body of
water.
2. Which of these has the LEAST affect on
the composition of our atmosphere?
A Human activity
B Biological activity
C Geologic activity
D Tidal activity
3. Clouds usually form when–
A air temperature reaches the dew point
B evaporation has warmed the air
C relative humidity is 0%
D condensation nuclei have been removed
from the air
7. Over the course of a year, compared to
location B, location A will have-
4. The most likely cause of the overall
change in the level of carbon dioxide from
1960 to 1990 is an increase in the–
A
B
C
D
A
B
C
D
number of violent storms
number of volcanic eruptions
use of nuclear power
use of fossil fuels
less precipitation and a smaller
temperature range
less precipitation and a greater
temperature range
more precipitation and a smaller
temperature range
more precipitation and a greater
temperature range
8. The cross section below shows how
prevailing winds have caused different
climates on the windward and leeward sides
of a mountain range.
5. Which region is the probable source of the
air mass labeled cP on the map?
A
B
C
D
central Canada
southwestern United States
North Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Mexico
6. The following symbol is often seen on
weather maps. What does it represent?
A
B
C
D
Cold front
Low pressure area
Warm front
Stationary front
Why does the windward side of this
mountain have a wet climate?
A Rising air compresses and cools, causing
the water droplets to evaporate.
B Rising air compresses and warms, causing
the water vapor to condense.
C Rising air expands and cools, causing the
water vapor to condense.
D Rising air expands and warms, causing the
water droplets to evaporate.
9. Which letter represents the area that
would record the warmest temperatures?
A
B
C
D
Letter
Letter
Letter
Letter
A
B
C
D