Earth’s Atmosphere Test Prep
1 .Which atmospheric conditions are necessary for condensation?
1 saturated air and dewpoint temperature much lower than air temperature
2 unsaturated air and dewpoint temperature much higher than air temperature
3 saturated air and equal dewpoint and air temperatures
4 unsaturated air and equal dewpoint and air temperatures
2. A parcel of air has a dry-bulb temperature reading of 16°C and a wet-bulb temperature reading of 13°C.
What is the relative humidity?
(1) 11%
(2) 13%
(3) 71%
(4) 80%
The graph below shows the average concentration of ozone in Earth’s atmosphere over Arizona during 4
months of the year.
3. Which layer of Earth’s atmosphere contains the greatest concentration of ozone?
1 troposphere
2 stratosphere
3 mesosphere
4 thermosphere
4. In which direction do the surface winds blow around a high-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere?
(1) clockwise and inward
(2) clockwise and outward
(3) counterclockwise and inward
(4) counterclockwise and outward
5. Which list correctly matches each instrument with the weather variable it measures?
(1) wind vane—wind speed
thermometer—temperature
precipitation gauge—relative humidity
(2) wind vane—wind direction
thermometer—dewpoint
psychrometer—air pressure
(3) barometer—relative humidity
anemometer—cloud cover
precipitation gauge—probability of precipitation
(4) barometer—air pressure
anemometer—wind speed
psychrometer—relative humidity
6. What is the difference between the dry-bulb temperature and the wet-bulb temperature when the relative
humidity is 28% and the dry-bulb temperature is 0°C?
(1) 11°C
(2) 2°C
(3) 28°C
(4) 4°C
Base your answers to the following 4 questions on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The cross section shows the general movement of air within a portion of Earth’s atmosphere located
between 30° N and 30° S latitude. Numbers 1 and 2 represent different locations in the atmosphere.
7. Which temperature zone layer of Earth’s atmosphere is shown in the cross section?
(1) troposphere
(2) stratosphere
(3) mesosphere
(4) thermosphere
8. The air movement shown in the cross section is due to the process of
(1) condensation
(2) conduction
(3) evaporation
(4) convection
9. What is the approximate percentage by volume of oxygen present in Earth’s atmosphere at location 2?
(1) 10%
(2) 21%
(3) 33%
(4) 46%
10. Which map best shows the surface movement of winds between 30N and 30S latitude?
11. Which weather variable can be determined by using a psychrometer?
(1) barometric pressure
(2) cloud cover
(3) relative humidity
(4) wind speed
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the diagram below, which shows the temperature change
when a parcel of air warms, rises, and expands to form a cloud. Location A is at the base of the cloud.
12. Explain why the warmer air rises.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
13. Assume the cooling rate of the rising parcel of air is constant. Determine the temperature of the air parcel
at the 3350-foot altitude. Express your answer to the nearest tenth of a degree.
______________________________________________________________________________________
14. State the relative humidity of the air at location A.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth
science.
Ozone in Earth’s Atmosphere
Ozone is a special form of oxygen. Unlike the oxygen we breathe, which is composed of two atoms of
oxygen, ozone is composed of three atoms of oxygen. A concentrated ozone layer between 10 and 30 miles
above Earth’s surface absorbs some of the harmful ultraviolet radiation coming from the Sun. The amount of
ultraviolet light reaching Earth’s surface is directly related to the angle of incoming solar radiation. The
greater the Sun’s angle of insolation, the greater the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches Earth’s surface.
If the ozone layer were completely destroyed, the ultraviolet light reaching Earth’s surface would most likely
increase human health problems, such as skin cancer and eye damage.
15. State the name of the temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere where the concentrated layer of ozone gas
exists.
______________________________________________________________________________________
16. Explain how the concentrated ozone layer above Earth’s surface is beneficial to humans.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
17. Assuming clear atmospheric conditions, on what day of the year do people in New York State most likely
receive the most ultraviolet radiation from the Sun?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
18. Almost all of the water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere is contained in the
1 mesosphere
2 stratosphere
3 troposphere
4 thermosphere
19. The primary cause of surface ocean currents is
1 atmospheric winds
2 atmospheric precipitation
3 ocean water evaporation
4 ocean floor earthquakes
20. Surface air movements associated with low-pressure system are best described as
1 clockwise toward the center of the low-pressure system
2 clockwise away from the center of the low-pressure system
3 counterclockwise toward the center of the low-pressure system
4 counterclockwise away from the center of the low-pressure system
21. The air over the Equator generally rises because the air is
1 dry and cool with low density
2 moist and hot with low density
3 moist and cool with high density
4 dry and hot with high density
22. Earth’s early atmosphere formed during the Early Archean Era. Which gas was generally absent from the
atmosphere at that time?
(1) water vapor
(2) carbon dioxide
(3) nitrogen
(4) oxygen
23. If the base of a cloud is located at an altitude of 2 kilometers and the top of the cloud is located at an
altitude of 8 kilometers, this cloud is located in the
(1) troposphere, only
(2) stratosphere, only
(3) troposphere and stratosphere
(4) stratosphere and mesosphere
24. Which graph best shows the relationship between the concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’s
atmosphere and the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere?
The diagram below shows a sling psychrometer.
25. Based on the dry-bulb temperature and the wet-bulb temperature, what is the relative humidity?
(1) 66%
(2) 58%
(3) 51%
(4) 12%
Base your answers to the following 2 questions on the diagram below, which represents water molecules
attached to salt and dust particles within a cloud in the atmosphere.
26. Explain why salt and dust particles are important in cloud formation.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
27. State one natural process that causes large amounts of dust to enter Earth’s atmosphere.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
28. Which conditions normally can be found in Earth’s asthenosphere, producing a partial melting of
ultramafic rock?
(1) temperature = 1,000°C; pressure = 10 million atmospheres
(2) temperature = 2,000°C; pressure = 0.1 million atmospheres
(3) temperature = 3,500°C; pressure = 0.5 million atmospheres
(4) temperature = 6,000°C; pressure = 4 million atmospheres
29. Which color of the visible light spectrum could have a wavelength of 5.5 10–5 centimeter?
(1) green
(2) orange
(3) yellow
(4) red
30. The ozone layer helps life on Earth because ozone
(1) modifies the normal El Niño weather pattern
(2) reflects insolation from the Sun
(3) absorbs damaging ultraviolet radiation from the Sun
(4) deflects winds from a straight line to a curved path
31 Which layer of Earth’s atmosphere contains no water vapor, has an atmospheric pressure less than 10-4
atmosphere, and has an air temperature that increases with altitude?
1 troposphere
2 stratosphere
3 mesosphere
4 thermosphere
32. Which temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere contains the most water vapor?
(1) mesosphere
(2) stratosphere
(3) thermosphere
(4) troposphere
33. Scientists are concerned about the decrease in ozone in the upper atmosphere primarily because ozone
protects life on Earth by absorbing certain wavelengths of
(1) x-ray radiation
(2) ultraviolet radiation
(3) infrared radiation
(4) microwave radiation
Base your answers to the following two questions on the data table below, which shows the amount of water
vapor, in grams per cubic meter, that will saturate 1 cubic meter of air at different temperatures.
34. On the grid provided below, construct a line graph of the data, following the directions below.
a Place the name of the correct variable along the y-axis. Include the correct units.
b Mark an appropriate numerical scale showing equal intervals along the y-axis.
c Plot the amount of water that will saturate 1 cubic meter of air at the temperatures shown in the data table.
35. Connect the points with a smooth, curved line.
36. Describe the relationship between the air temperature and the amount of water vapor necessary to
saturate the air.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
37. At an altitude of 95 miles above Earth’s surface, nearly 100% of the incoming energy from the Sun can
be detected. At 55 miles above Earth’s surface, most incoming x-ray radiation and some incoming ultraviolet
radiation can no longer be detected. This missing radiation was most likely
(1) absorbed in the thermosphere
(2) absorbed in the mesosphere
(3) reflected by the stratosphere
(4) reflected by the troposphere
The diagram below shows four different chemical materials escaping from the interior of early Earth.
38. Which material contributed least to the early composition of the atmosphere?
(1) SiO2
(2) H2O
(3) N2
(4) CO2
Base your answers to the following three questions on the table below, which shows the concentration of
ozone, in ozone units, in Earth’s atmosphere at different altitudes. [One ozone unit is equal to 1012 molecules
per cubic centimeter.]
39. On the grid provided below, construct a line graph of the ozone concentration in the atmosphere recorded
at the different altitudes shown on the table by plotting the data from the table and connecting the points.
40. State the name of the temperature zone of the atmosphere in which the concentration of ozone is greatest.
____________________________________________
41. State how incoming solar radiation (insolation) is affected by the ozone in the atmosphere.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
42. Ozone is concentrated in Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of 20 to 35 kilometers. Which atmospheric
layer contains the greatest concentration of ozone?
(1) mesosphere
(2) thermosphere
(3) troposphere
(4) stratosphere
43. As the altitude increases within Earth’s stratosphere, air temperature generally
(1) decreases, only
(2) increases, only
(3) decreases, then increases
(4) increases, then decreases
44. Scientists believe that Earth’s early atmosphere changed in composition as a result of
(1) the appearance of oxygen-producing organisms
(2) the drifting of the continents
(3) the changes in Earth’s magnetic field
(4) a transfer of gases from the Sun
45. A gradual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would warm Earth’s atmosphere because
carbon dioxide is a
(1) poor reflector of ultraviolet radiation
(2) good reflector of ultraviolet radiation
(3) poor absorber of infrared radiation
(4) good absorber of infrared radiation
46. An air temperature of 95ºC most often exists in which layer of the atmosphere?
(1) troposphere
(2) stratosphere
(3) mesosphere
(4) thermosphere
Earth’s Atmosphere Test Prep
Teacher Answer Key – Guide
1.Which atmospheric conditions are necessary for condensation?
3 saturated air and equal dewpoint and air temperatures
2.A parcel of air has a dry-bulb temperature reading of 16°C and a wet-bulb temperature reading of 13°C.
What is the relative humidity?
(3) 71%
3.The graph below shows the average concentration of ozone in Earth’s atmosphere over Arizona during 4
months of the year. Which layer of Earth’s atmosphere contains the greatest concentration of ozone?
2 stratosphere
4.In which direction do the surface winds blow around a high-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere?
(2) clockwise and outward
5.Which list correctly matches each instrument with the weather variable it measures?
(4) barometer—air pressure
anemometer—wind speed
psychrometer—relative humidity
6.What is the difference between the dry-bulb temperature and the wet-bulb temperature when the relative
humidity is 28% and the dry-bulb temperature is 0°C?
(4) 4°C
7.Which temperature zone layer of Earth’s atmosphere is shown in the cross section?
(1) troposphere
8.The air movement shown in the cross section is due to the process of
(4) convection
9.What is the approximate percentage by volume of oxygen present in Earth’s atmosphere at location 2?
(2) 21%
10.Which map best shows the surface movement of winds between 30N and 30S latitude?
11.Which weather variable can be determined by using a psychrometer?
(3) relative humidity
12.Explain why the warmer air rises.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— Warmer air rises because it is less dense.
— As temperature increases, density decreases.
13.Assume the cooling rate of the rising parcel of air is constant. Determine the temperature of the air parcel
at the 3350-foot altitude. Express your answer to the nearest tenth of a degree.
43.5°F
14.State the relative humidity of the air at location A.
100%
15.State the name of the temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere where the concentrated layer of ozone gas
exists.
stratosphere
16.Explain how the concentrated ozone layer above Earth’s surface is beneficial to humans.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— The ozone layer absorbs some of the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
— The layer decreases the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth.
— The ozone protects humans from skin cancer and eye damage.
17.Assuming clear atmospheric conditions, on what day of the year do people in New York State most likely
receive the most ultraviolet radiation from the Sun?
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— June 20, 21, or 22
— the first day of summer
— summer solstice
18.Almost all of the water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere is contained in the
3 troposphere
19.The primary cause of surface ocean currents is
1 atmospheric winds
20.Surface air movements associated with low-pressure system are best described as
3 counterclockwise toward the center of the low-pressure system
21.The air over the Equator generally rises because the air is
2 moist and hot with low density
22.Earth’s early atmosphere formed during the Early Archean Era. Which gas was generally absent from the
atmosphere at that time?
(4) oxygen
23.If the base of a cloud is located at an altitude of 2 kilometers and the top of the cloud is located at an
altitude of 8 kilometers, this cloud is located in the
(1) troposphere, only
24.Which graph best shows the relationship between the concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’s
atmosphere and the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere?
25.The diagram below shows a sling psychrometer. Based on the dry-bulb temperature and the wet-bulb
temperature, what is the relative humidity?
(2) 58%
26.Explain why salt and dust particles are important in cloud formation.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— Water droplets form on the surfaces provided by the salt and dust particles.
— Salt and dust particles are condensation nuclei, allowing the water vapor to change into liquid
drops, forming clouds.
27.State one natural process that causes large amounts of dust to enter Earth’s atmosphere.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— Dust particles can be blown into the atmosphere by winds.
— a volcanic eruption
— a forest fire
28.Which conditions normally can be found in Earth’s asthenosphere, producing a partial melting of
ultramafic rock?
(2) temperature = 2,000°C; pressure = 0.1 million atmospheres
29.Which color of the visible light spectrum could have a wavelength of 5.5 10–5 centimeter?
(3) yellow
30.The ozone layer helps life on Earth because ozone
(3) absorbs damaging ultraviolet radiation from the Sun
31.Which layer of Earth’s atmosphere contains no water vapor, has an atmospheric pressure less than 10-4
atmosphere, and has an air temperature that increases with altitude?
4 thermosphere
32.Which temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere contains the most water vapor?
(4) troposphere
33.Scientists are concerned about the decrease in ozone in the upper atmosphere primarily because ozone
protects life on Earth by absorbing certain wavelengths of
(2) ultraviolet radiation
34.On the grid provided below, construct a line graph of the data, following the directions below.
a Allow credit for labeling the y-axis water vapor, including units (g/m3).
b Allow credit for marking an appropriate numerical scale along the y-axis.
c Allow credit for correctly plotting six or seven points and connecting them with a line. Allow credit
even if the student uses a symbol other than a dot.
Note: Allow credit for a line that passes through six or seven correct points, even if the points are not
visible beneath the line.
35.An example of a correct response is shown below.
36.Describe the relationship between the air temperature and the amount of water vapor necessary to saturate
the air.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
As air temperature increases, the amount of water vapor that the air can hold increases.
Warm air can hold more water vapor than cool air.
It is a direct relationship.
The higher the air temperature, the greater the amount of water vapor required to saturate the
air.
37.At an altitude of 95 miles above Earth’s surface, nearly 100% of the incoming energy from the Sun can be
detected. At 55 miles above Earth’s surface, most incoming x-ray radiation and some incoming ultraviolet
radiation can no longer be detected. This missing radiation was most likely
(1) absorbed in the thermosphere
38.Which material contributed least to the early composition of the atmosphere?
(1) SiO2
39.On the grid provided below, construct a line graph of the ozone concentration in the atmosphere recorded
at the different altitudes shown on the table by plotting the data from the table and connecting the points.
Allow credit if eleven or twelve points are plotted correctly (±0.1 ozone unit).
and
For correctly connecting all the plotted points.
40State the name of the temperature zone of the atmosphere in which the concentration of ozone is greatest.
stratosphere.
41.State how incoming solar radiation (insolation) is affected by the ozone in the atmosphere.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
Some insolation is absorbed by the ozone.
Harmful UV radiation is absorbed by ozone.
42.Ozone is concentrated in Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of 20 to 35 kilometers. Which atmospheric
layer contains the greatest concentration of ozone?
(4) stratosphere
43.As the altitude increases within Earth’s stratosphere, air temperature generally
(2) increases, only
44.Scientists believe that Earth’s early atmosphere changed in composition as a result of
(1) the appearance of oxygen-producing organisms
45.A gradual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would warm Earth’s atmosphere because
carbon dioxide is a
(4) good absorber of infrared radiation
46.An air temperature of 95ºC most often exists in which layer of the atmosphere?
(4) thermosphere