Question 1

If the oxygen level in the atmosphere were to rise significantly, fires would burn uncontrollably across the planet.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Which of the following orders of the layers of the atmosphere is correct? (Start with the lowest layer.)

Accepted Answer

A)  thermosphere < stratosphere < troposphere < mesosphere 
B)  troposphere < mesosphere < stratosphere < thermosphere 
C)  stratosphere < troposphere < mesosphere < thermosphere 
D)  troposphere < stratosphere < mesosphere < thermosphere 
A)  thermosphere < stratosphere < troposphere < mesosphere 
B)  troposphere < mesosphere < stratosphere < thermosphere 
C)  stratosphere < troposphere < mesosphere < thermosphere 
D)  troposphere < stratosphere < mesosphere < thermosphere

Question 3

Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless, odorless, and toxic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

An aerosol is any small piece of solid material that pollutes air.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

During the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, when enough oxygen had accumulated in seawater, iron-rich minerals precipitated on the sea floor and became the __________ __________ formations that are mined for iron today.

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere,...

Question 6

The Earth's modern atmosphere:

Accepted Answer

A)  is composed of 78 percent nitrogen. 
B)  does not filter high-energy ultraviolet rays. 
C)  is similar to that found on Venus. 
D)  is composed of 80 percent oxygen. 
A)  is composed of 78 percent nitrogen. 
B)  does not filter high-energy ultraviolet rays. 
C)  is similar to that found on Venus. 
D)  is composed of 80 percent oxygen.

Question 7

During photosynthesis:

Accepted Answer

A)  chlorophyll-bearing plants convert oxygen and water to organic sugars and release carbon dioxide. 
B)  chlorophyll-bearing plants convert carbon dioxide and water to organic sugars and release oxygen. 
C)  primitive bacteria convert hydrogen and oxygen into water. 
D)  primitive bacteria obtain energy from reactions with minerals. 
A)  chlorophyll-bearing plants convert oxygen and water to organic sugars and release carbon dioxide. 
B)  chlorophyll-bearing plants convert carbon dioxide and water to organic sugars and release oxygen. 
C)  primitive bacteria convert hydrogen and oxygen into water. 
D)  primitive bacteria obtain energy from reactions with minerals.

Question 8

__________ __________ reacts in moist air to produce sulfuric acid.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ __________ reacts in moist air to...

Question 9

The Earth's primordial atmosphere:

Accepted Answer

A)  contained no oxygen. 
B)  was an effective filter that absorbed high-energy ultraviolet rays. 
C)  was mainly oxygen. 
D)  was formed by biological processes. 
A)  contained no oxygen. 
B)  was an effective filter that absorbed high-energy ultraviolet rays. 
C)  was mainly oxygen. 
D)  was formed by biological processes.

Question 10

The Clean Air Act has not led to a decrease in the total pollution level or improved air quality in the United States in the past 30 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The layer of air closest to the Earth is the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  tropopause 
B)  troposphere 
C)  mesosphere 
D)  stratosphere 
A)  tropopause 
B)  troposphere 
C)  mesosphere 
D)  stratosphere

Question 12

As early organisms evolved and multiplied, they depleted oxygen from the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The pressure exerted by air is the __________ __________.

Accepted Answer

atmospheri

Question 14

Solar energy breaks oxygen molecules apart in the stratosphere, releasing __________, which combine(s) with additional oxygen molecules to form __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygen atoms, carbon dioxide 
B)  ozone, CFCs 
C)  ozone, oxygen atoms 
D)  oxygen atoms, ozone 
A)  oxygen atoms, carbon dioxide 
B)  ozone, CFCs 
C)  ozone, oxygen atoms 
D)  oxygen atoms, ozone

Question 15

__________ are particles that are suspended in air.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ are particles that are suspended in...

Question 16

Atmospheric pressure is measured in __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  degrees centigrade 
B)  bar 
C)  Beaufort 
D)  psu 
A)  degrees centigrade 
B)  bar 
C)  Beaufort 
D)  psu

Question 17

Most iron is mined from banded iron formations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

At the time of the First Great Oxidation Event, the oxygen concentration in Earth's atmosphere increased:

Accepted Answer

A)  from 15 to 21 percent. 
B)  due to oxygen production by zooplankton. 
C)  from trace amounts to appreciable quantities. 
D)  due to accelerated weathering caused by lichens. 
A)  from 15 to 21 percent. 
B)  due to oxygen production by zooplankton. 
C)  from trace amounts to appreciable quantities. 
D)  due to accelerated weathering caused by lichens.

Question 19

Ozone is both a pollutant and a beneficial component of the atmosphere, depending on elevation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

If pure coal burned completely, it would produce:

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dioxide and water. 
B)  benzene and toxic volatiles. 
C)  carbon dioxide, soot, and fly ash. 
D)  oxygen and water. 
A)  carbon dioxide and water. 
B)  benzene and toxic volatiles. 
C)  carbon dioxide, soot, and fly ash. 
D)  oxygen and water.

Exam 17: The Atmosphere

If the oxygen level in the atmosphere were to rise significantly, fires would burn uncontrollably across the planet.

Which of the following orders of the layers of the atmosphere is correct? (Start with the lowest layer.)

Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless, odorless, and toxic.

An aerosol is any small piece of solid material that pollutes air.

During the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, when enough oxygen had accumulated in seawater, iron-rich minerals precipitated on the sea floor and became the __________ __________ formations that are mined for iron today.

The Earth's modern atmosphere:

During photosynthesis:

__________ __________ reacts in moist air to produce sulfuric acid.

The Earth's primordial atmosphere:

The Clean Air Act has not led to a decrease in the total pollution level or improved air quality in the United States in the past 30 years.

The layer of air closest to the Earth is the __________.

As early organisms evolved and multiplied, they depleted oxygen from the atmosphere.

The pressure exerted by air is the __________ __________.

Solar energy breaks oxygen molecules apart in the stratosphere, releasing __________, which combine(s) with additional oxygen molecules to form __________.

__________ are particles that are suspended in air.

Atmospheric pressure is measured in __________.

Most iron is mined from banded iron formations.

At the time of the First Great Oxidation Event, the oxygen concentration in Earth's atmosphere increased:

Ozone is both a pollutant and a beneficial component of the atmosphere, depending on elevation.

If pure coal burned completely, it would produce:

Earth Systems

Minerals

Rocks

Geologic Time: a Story in the Rocks

Geologic Resources

The Active Earth: Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and the Earths Structure

Volcanoes and Plutons

Mountains

Weathering, Soil, and Erosion

Fresh Water: Streams, Lakes, Ground Water, and Wetlands

Water Resources

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and Wind

Ocean Basins

Oceans and Coastlines

Energy Balance in the Atmosphere

Moisture, Clouds, and Weather

Climate

Climate Change

Motions in the Heavens

Planets and Their Moons

Stars, Space, and Galaxies

Filters

During the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, when enough oxygen had accumulated in seawater, iron-rich minerals precipitated on the sea floor and became the formations that are mined for iron today.

reacts in moist air to produce sulfuric acid.

The pressure exerted by air is the .

Solar energy breaks oxygen molecules apart in the stratosphere, releasing , which combine(s) with additional oxygen molecules to form .