The Earth's Atmosphere General Knowledge Quiz!

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  • 1/21 Questions

    What is the atmospheric layer closest to the ground?

    • Mesosphere
    • Troposphere
    • Thermosphere
    • Stratosphere
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About This Quiz

Welcome to The Earth's Atmosphere General Knowledge Quiz! The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere that is closest to the earth. The atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and smaller amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, helium, and neon. See how much more you do know about the atmosphere by trying to tackle the atmosphere quiz below and get some help studying. All the best!

The Earths Atmosphere General Knowledge Quiz! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What is the second atmospheric layer from the ground?

    • Thermosphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Mesosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Stratosphere
    Explanation
    The stratosphere is the second atmospheric layer from the ground. It is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. In the stratosphere, the temperature increases with altitude due to the presence of the ozone layer. This layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

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  • 3. 

    What does the ozone layer do?

    • It protects us from meteors.

    • It protects us from violent solar flares.

    • It protects us from ultra violet radiation.

    • It helps us breathe.

    Correct Answer
    A. It protects us from ultra violet radiation.
    Explanation
    The ozone layer acts as a shield, protecting us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun. UV radiation can cause various health issues, including skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune system. The ozone layer absorbs most of the sun's UV rays, preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface. This protective barrier is crucial for maintaining the overall well-being of living organisms on our planet.

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  • 4. 

    What is the third atmospheric layer from the ground?

    • Troposphere

    • Thermosphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Mesosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Mesosphere
    Explanation
    The third atmospheric layer from the ground is called the mesosphere. It is located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. The mesosphere is characterized by its low temperatures and is the layer where meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.

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  • 5. 

    What is the fourth atmospheric layer from the ground?

    • Thermosphere

    • Mesosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Stratosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Thermosphere
    Explanation
    The thermosphere is the fourth atmospheric layer from the ground. It is located above the mesosphere and below the exosphere. This layer is characterized by high temperatures and low air density. It is also where the auroras occur and where satellites orbit the Earth.

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  • 6. 

    What layer does most weather occur in?

    • Troposphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Thermosphere

    • Mesosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Troposphere
    Explanation
    Most weather occurs in the troposphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 8-15 kilometers. It is where most of the Earth's weather phenomena, such as clouds, precipitation, and storms, take place. The troposphere is characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude, which creates the conditions necessary for the formation of weather systems.

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  • 7. 

    What is the aurora borealis most commonly called?

    • The northern lights

    • The southern radiation

    • The ionic particles

    • A rainbow

    Correct Answer
    A. The northern lights
    Explanation
    The aurora borealis is most commonly called the northern lights. This natural phenomenon occurs in the polar regions when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to emit colorful lights. The term "northern lights" is used because it is primarily visible in the northern hemisphere, although a similar phenomenon called aurora australis or the southern lights can be observed in the southern hemisphere. "The southern radiation," "the ionic particles," and "a rainbow" are incorrect options as they do not accurately describe the aurora borealis.

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  • 8. 

    What gas makes up around 21% of our atmosphere?

    • Methane

    • Oxygen

    • Nitrogen

    • Carbon dioxide

    Correct Answer
    A. Oxygen
    Explanation
    Oxygen makes up around 21% of our atmosphere. It is essential for the survival of most living organisms, as it is used in the process of respiration. Oxygen is released into the atmosphere through photosynthesis by plants and algae. It is also used in various industrial processes and combustion reactions.

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  • 9. 

    What is the most common gas in the atmosphere?

    • Oxygen

    • Carbon dioxide

    • Nitrogen

    • Methane

    Correct Answer
    A. Nitrogen
    Explanation
    Nitrogen is the most common gas in the atmosphere, making up about 78% of the air we breathe. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane are also present in the atmosphere, but in much smaller quantities compared to nitrogen. Nitrogen is essential for life as it is a key component of proteins and nucleic acids. It is also used in various industrial processes and is crucial for plant growth.

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  • 10. 

    What is the atmosphere?

    • A layer of fluids surrounding an object.

    • A layer of gas surrounding a planet or moon.

    • A cloud of gas that allows us to breathe.

    • A layer of oxygen that surrounds a planet or moon.

    Correct Answer
    A. A layer of gas surrounding a planet or moon.
    Explanation
    The atmosphere refers to a layer of gas that surrounds a planet or moon. It consists of various gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others. The atmosphere plays a crucial role in protecting the planet or moon, regulating its temperature, and providing the necessary gases for life to exist. It also helps to shield the planet or moon from harmful radiation and meteoroids.

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  • 11. 

    What atmospheric layer has most of the clouds?

    • Thermosphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Mesosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Troposphere
    Explanation
    The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 8-15 kilometers. This is where most weather phenomena occur, including the formation of clouds. The troposphere is characterized by decreasing temperature with increasing altitude, which allows for the condensation of water vapor and the formation of clouds. Therefore, it can be concluded that the troposphere has the most clouds compared to the other atmospheric layers mentioned.

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  • 12. 

    What is the hottest layer in the atmosphere?

    • Mesosphere

    • Thermosphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Troposphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Thermosphere
    Explanation
    The thermosphere is the hottest layer in the atmosphere. It is located above the mesosphere and extends from about 80 kilometers above the Earth's surface to the edge of space. The temperature in the thermosphere can reach up to 2,500 degrees Celsius due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation. Despite its high temperature, the thermosphere would not feel hot to us because it is also a region of extremely low density, meaning there are very few gas molecules to transfer heat.

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  • 13. 

    What layer has the ozone layer in it?

    • Mesosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Thermosphere

    • Stratosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Stratosphere
    Explanation
    The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere. This layer is situated above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The stratosphere contains a high concentration of ozone molecules, which help to absorb and filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by preventing excessive UV radiation from reaching the surface.

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  • 14. 

    What makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere?

    • Nitrogen

    • Water vapor and other gases

    Correct Answer
    A. Water vapor and other gases
    Explanation
    Water vapor and other gases make up less than 1% of the atmosphere. The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (around 78%) and oxygen (around 21%). Carbon dioxide also makes up a small fraction of the atmosphere, but it is still less than 1%. Water vapor and other gases, such as argon, methane, and ozone, make up the remaining portion of the atmosphere, collectively accounting for less than 1%.

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  • 15. 

    What happens to temperature as you go higher in the troposphere?

    • It gets hotter

    • It gets colder

    • It stays the same

    • It is always changing

    Correct Answer
    A. It gets colder
    Explanation
    As you go higher in the troposphere, the temperature decreases. This is because the troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, and it is heated primarily from the Earth's surface. The further you move away from the surface, the less heat is available, resulting in a decrease in temperature. This temperature change is known as the lapse rate, and it is an important factor in determining weather patterns and atmospheric stability.

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  • 16. 

    What layer protects us by burning up most meteors?

    • Stratosphere

    • Mesosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Thermosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Mesosphere
    Explanation
    The mesosphere is the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that protects us by burning up most meteors. This is because the mesosphere is located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, and it is characterized by extremely low temperatures. When meteors enter the Earth's atmosphere, they experience friction with the gases in the mesosphere, causing them to heat up and burn up before reaching the surface. Therefore, the mesosphere acts as a shield, preventing most meteors from causing any harm to us on the ground.

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  • 17. 

    What is the coldest layer in the atmosphere?

    • Troposphere

    • Thermosphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Mesosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Mesosphere
    Explanation
    The mesosphere is the coldest layer in the atmosphere. It is located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. Temperatures in the mesosphere can reach as low as -90 degrees Celsius. This layer is characterized by the presence of the mesopause, which is the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere. The mesosphere is also where meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.

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  • 18. 

    What layer do weather balloons reach before they burst?

    • Mesosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Stratosphere

    • Thermosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Stratosphere
    Explanation
    Weather balloons reach the stratosphere before they burst. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere. It is characterized by a stable temperature profile, with temperatures increasing with altitude. The stratosphere is where the ozone layer is found, which absorbs and filters out a significant amount of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Weather balloons are designed to ascend through the layers of the atmosphere to collect data on temperature, humidity, air pressure, and wind patterns before they eventually burst due to the decreasing atmospheric pressure.

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  • 19. 

    What happens to temperature as you go higher in the stratosphere?

    • It stays the same

    • It gets hotter

    • It gets colder

    • It is always changing

    Correct Answer
    A. It gets hotter
    Explanation
    As you go higher in the stratosphere, the temperature increases. This is because the stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs and filters out most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. The absorption of this radiation causes a heating effect in the stratosphere, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude.

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  • 20. 

    At what layer do most airplanes fly at the top of?

    • Stratosphere

    • Thermosphere

    • Troposphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Troposphere
    Explanation
    The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface to about 6 to 20 kilometers (approximately 4 to 12 miles) high, varying with the latitudes and seasons. Most commercial aircraft cruise at altitudes between 30,000 to 42,000 feet, which typically falls within the upper part of the troposphere. This layer is most suitable for flight for several reasons, including the availability of denser air for lift, lower turbulence compared to higher layers, and less exposure to the harsher conditions found higher in the atmosphere.

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  • 21. 

    What layer of the atmosphere has the aurora borealis in it?

    • Stratosphere

    • Mesosphere

    • Troposphere

    • Thermosphere

    Correct Answer
    A. Thermosphere
    Explanation
    The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, occurs in the thermosphere. This is the layer of the atmosphere that is located above the mesosphere and extends into outer space. The thermosphere is characterized by high temperatures and low density of air molecules. When charged particles from the sun collide with the gases in the thermosphere, it creates the beautiful light display known as the aurora borealis.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Feb 28, 2025 +

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  • Current Version
  • Feb 28, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Sep 21, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Marquart
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