Where in the Air: Atmosphere Layers — Quiz

Multiple Choice

1. Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to Earth's surface?
A. Stratosphere
B. Mesosphere
C. Troposphere
D. Thermosphere

2. Which layer of the atmosphere is described as the densest, containing about 75 percent of the atmosphere's mass?
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere

3. In which layer would you find the ozone layer?
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere

4. According to the resource, all water vapor in the atmosphere is found in which layer?
A. Stratosphere
B. Mesosphere
C. Troposphere
D. Thermosphere

5. Meteors (shooting stars) most often burn up in which layer?
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere

6. Which layer of the atmosphere is described as having the coldest temperatures of any layer?
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere

7. Which object is described as orbiting Earth and conducting scientific research in the thermosphere?
A. Hubble Space Telescope
B. International Space Station
C. Weather Balloon
D. Sounding Rocket

8. Why would a person feel cold in the thermosphere even though temperatures there can exceed 1000°C?
A. There is too much air pressure
B. There are very few air molecules to transfer heat
C. The Sun's energy does not reach this layer
D. The ozone layer blocks all heat

Short Answer

9. Explain why temperatures in the stratosphere rise as altitude increases.

10. Name two objects found in the troposphere and explain one reason why the troposphere is described as "the most complex" layer of the atmosphere.

11. Using information from the resource, explain why the ozone layer is important to life on Earth.

---

Answer Key

1. C — Troposphere
2. A — Troposphere
3. B — Stratosphere
4. C — Troposphere
5. C — Mesosphere
6. C — Mesosphere
7. B — International Space Station
8. B — There are very few air molecules to transfer heat

1. Temperatures rise with altitude in the stratosphere because the ozone layer absorbs radiation (ultraviolet-B rays) from the Sun.

1. Any two of: Birds, Clouds, Commercial Jetliner, Hang Glider, Helicopter, Hot Air Balloon, Model Rocket, Mount Everest, Parachutist, Small Airplane, Small UAV, Weather, X-57 Maxwell. The troposphere is complex because it is a system involving many variables (temperature, pressure, air density, weather, and seasons) that all affect and interconnect with one another.

1. The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, absorbs some of the Sun's dangerous ultraviolet-B rays, preventing them from reaching Earth's surface.