All Flashcards
What is the effect of burning fossil fuels on the atmosphere?
It increases the concentration of CO2, a major greenhouse gas, leading to global warming.
What is the impact of CFCs on the ozone layer?
CFCs deplete the ozone layer, reducing its ability to absorb UV radiation.
What is the effect of deforestation on atmospheric CO2 levels?
Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2, leading to higher atmospheric concentrations.
What is the consequence of increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface?
Increased risk of skin cancer, damage to ecosystems, and harm to marine life.
What is the effect of increased methane emissions from agriculture?
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, so increased emissions contribute to global warming.
What is the environmental consequence of global warming?
Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, and disruptions to ecosystems.
What is the impact of increased nitrous oxide emissions?
Nitrous oxide is a powerful greenhouse gas, intensifying global warming.
What is the effect of air pollution on human health?
Respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.
What is the impact of climate change on biodiversity?
Habitat loss, species extinction, and altered ecosystems.
What is the effect of increased CO2 on ocean acidity?
Increased CO2 absorption leads to ocean acidification, harming marine life.
What is denitrification?
The process by which nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere.
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen.
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
What is the ozone layer?
A region in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful UV radiation.
What are CFCs?
Chlorofluorocarbons; substances that deplete the ozone layer.
What is the troposphere?
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs.
What is the stratosphere?
The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, containing the ozone layer.
What is the mesosphere?
The atmospheric layer above the stratosphere, characterized by decreasing temperature with altitude.
What is the thermosphere?
The atmospheric layer above the mesosphere, characterized by increasing temperature with altitude.
What is the exosphere?
The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, merging with space.
What is the role of nitrogen in the atmosphere?
It is the most abundant gas, making up the main structural component of the atmosphere.
Why is oxygen essential for life?
It is produced by photosynthesis and is necessary for respiration in most organisms.
How does water vapor affect weather patterns?
It contributes to humidity, cloud formation, and precipitation.
How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?
They trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures.
How does the ozone layer protect life on Earth?
It absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun.
How does altitude affect temperature in the troposphere?
Temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude.
Why does temperature increase with altitude in the stratosphere?
Due to the absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer.
What causes the aurora borealis and australis?
Trapped ions and particles from the sun interacting with the atmosphere in the thermosphere and exosphere.
What is the role of the thermosphere?
It traps ions and particles from the sun, and its temperature increases with altitude due to solar radiation.
Where do satellites orbit?
In the exosphere, the outermost layer of the atmosphere.