Environmental Chemistry: Atmosphere Quiz

Explanation
N2, or nitrogen gas, has the highest percentage in the air. It makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. O2, or oxygen gas, is the second most abundant gas, accounting for approximately 21% of the air. CO2, or carbon dioxide, and O3, or ozone, are present in much smaller quantities.

Explanation
The correct answer is -55 0C. The stratosphere is the layer of the Earth's atmosphere above the troposphere and it is known for containing the ozone layer. The temperature in the stratosphere decreases with increasing altitude. -55 0C is the lowest temperature in the stratosphere, indicating that it gets colder as you move higher up in this layer of the atmosphere.

Explanation
SO2 and NO2 are responsible for acidic rain because they are both primary pollutants released into the atmosphere through human activities such as burning fossil fuels. When these pollutants mix with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) respectively. These acids then combine with rainwater to form acidic rain, which can have harmful effects on the environment, including damage to plants, aquatic life, and infrastructure. O3, also known as ozone, is not responsible for acidic rain.

Explanation
NO2 is the reddish brown gas.

Explanation
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to an average height of about 12 kilometers. It is where weather phenomena occur, such as clouds, precipitation, and most of the Earth's temperature variations. Above the troposphere, the stratosphere begins, which contains the ozone layer and extends up to about 50 kilometers. Therefore, the correct answer is 12 km, as it marks the upper boundary of the troposphere.

Explanation
The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere. It extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The ozone layer is a region within the stratosphere where high concentrations of ozone molecules are found. Ozone plays a crucial role in absorbing and filtering out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth.

Explanation
The burning of fossil fuels is the main cause of air pollution. When fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are burned for energy, they release harmful pollutants into the air, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These pollutants contribute to smog, acid rain, and the formation of ground-level ozone, which can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Therefore, the burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor to air pollution.

Explanation
The troposphere is the layer closest to the Earth. It is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere and extends from the surface up to an average height of about 8-15 kilometers. This layer is where weather phenomena occur, such as clouds, storms, and the majority of the Earth's air mass. It is also where humans and other living organisms reside. The other layers mentioned (stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere) are located above the troposphere, at higher altitudes.

Explanation
The thermosphere is the correct answer because it is the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It is located above the mesosphere and extends from about 80 kilometers above the Earth's surface to the exosphere. The thermosphere is characterized by high temperatures and low densities, and it is where the International Space Station orbits the Earth.

Explanation
The stratosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere that extends from about 12 km to 50 km above the Earth's surface. 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 absorbing and filtering harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Therefore, the correct answer is 50 km, as it represents the upper boundary of the stratosphere.