Composition and Structure of The Atmosphere

Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere
Chapter 12
Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere
Class 9 - Total Geography Morning Star
Short Answer Questions
Question 1
What is known as the atmosphere?
Answer
The blanket of air surrounding the Earth is known as the atmosphere.

Question 2
State the gaseous composition of the atmosphere.
Answer
The atmosphere is a mixture of many gases and tiny solid particles. Atmosphere contains-
78% nitrogen gas

21% oxygen gas
The remaining 1% of air is made up of Carbon dioxide, Water Vapour, Helium, Hydrogen,
Argon etc.
Question 3
Name the four layers of the atmosphere.
Answer
The four layers of the atmosphere are-
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Question 4
What is known as the troposphere?

Answer
The troposphere is the lowermost and densest layer of the atmosphere. Its height varies from
18 km at the equator to 8 km at the poles.
Question 5
Mention the chief characteristics of the stratosphere.
Answer
The chief characteristics of stratosphere are-
The air is thin, cold and dry. The temperature is about -55°C.
The Ozone layer lies within the stratosphere. Ozone is generally found between the altitudes
of 20 and 50 km.
Ozone absorbs the ultraviolet solar radiation coming from above. The insolation received
from the Sun is equal to that lost by it. That is why the temperature of the layer is constant. In
the higher levels, however, temperature increases with height.
The lower layer of the stratosphere has a virtual absence of water vapour and has constant
temperature conditions, therefore, it is ideal for flying jet aircraft.
Temperature rises from -60°C at the base of the stratosphere to 0°C at stratopause.
The upper limit of the stratosphere is known as stratopause.
Question 6
In which layer of atmosphere do all the weather conditions occur?
Answer
All the weather conditions occur in the troposphere.
Question 7
Name the constituent gases of the atmosphere which scientists consider responsible for climate
change.
Answer
The constituent gases of the atmosphere which scientists consider responsible for climate
change are Carbon dioxide, Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons, Ozone and Water Vapour.
Question 8
What is known as the Ozone Layer?
Answer
Ozone layer is a layer in the stratosphere of the atmosphere which keeps temperature constant
in the lower levels and absorbs ultraviolet rays of the Sun.
Question 9
What is leading to depletion of Ozone Layer in the atmosphere?
Answer
Many chemicals like Chlorine, Bromine and Chlorofluorocarbons are leading to depletion of
Ozone Layer in the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbon compounds escape into the atmosphere
and finally break down in the Stratosphere. They produce Chlorine atoms which destroy the
Ozone layer.
Sulphur dioxide given out during volcanic eruptions, solar storms and human activities also lead
to depletion of the Ozone layer.
Question 10
What is known as Global Warming?
Answer
The rise in average mean temperature of the Earth on account of enhanced concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is known as global warming.
Question 11
Name important Greenhouse gases.
Answer
Some important Greenhouse gases are Carbon dioxide, Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons, Ozone
and Water Vapour.
Explain the following terms/processes
Question 1
Global Warming
Answer
The rise in average mean temperature of the Earth on account of enhanced concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is known as global warming.
Question 2
Greenhouse Effect
Answer
The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere allow the near infrared rays from the Sun to penetrate
the Earth but do not allow the heat radiated by the heated Earth to penetrate back into space.
This adds to the heat already available on the Earth.
This increase in temperature due to the concentration of the greenhouse gases is known as the
greenhouse effect.
Question 3
Normal Lapse Rate of Temperature
Answer
The troposphere is characterised by regular decrease in temperature with altitude. This

decrease in temperature is known as normal lapse rate. The average decrease is 1°C for every
166 metre altitude gain.
Question 4
CFCs
Answer
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of Carbon,

Chlorine, and Fluorine. They are regarded as the main reason for the Ozone Hole near
Antarctica. CFC gases are used in refrigerators, aircraft and air conditioners.
Structured Questions
Question 1(a)
Define atmosphere. Name the four layers of atmosphere.
Answer
The blanket of air surrounding the Earth is known as the atmosphere.
The four layers of the atmosphere are-
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Question 1(b)
Mention any two functions of the atmosphere.
Answer
Two functions of the atmosphere are-
It protects the Earth from the harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays of the Sun.
It helps in retaining the necessary warmth on the Earth.
Question 1(c)
Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) We find it difficult to breathe when we climb mountains.
(ii) The atmosphere is the most dynamic entity.
(iii) All the weather phenomena take place in the troposphere.
Answer
(i) We find it difficult to breathe when we climb mountains because the layers of atmosphere
become thinner at high altitudes. This means that there is less pressure to push the air into the
lungs and a lower percentage of Oxygen in the air. This makes it harder to breathe.
(ii) The atmosphere is the most dynamic entity because of its composition. Large masses of air
are being moved up and down and across the surface of the Earth.
(iii) The troposphere is characterised by regular decrease in temperature with altitude. This
decrease in temperature is known as normal lapse rate. The average decrease is 1°C for every
166 metre altitude gain. This temperature variation is responsible for many turbulences which
result in all weather phenomena taking place in the troposphere.
Question 1(d)
Draw a well labelled diagram of the structure of the Earth's atmosphere.
Answer
Below diagram shows the structure of the Earth's atmosphere:
Draw a well labelled diagram of the structure of the Earth's atmosphere. Composition and
Structure of Atmosphere, Total Geography ICSE Class 9 Solutions.
Question 2(a)
Describe the structure of the atmosphere.
Answer
The atmosphere is a mixture of many gases and tiny solid particles. Atmosphere contains-
78% nitrogen gas

21% oxygen gas
The remaining 0.33% of air is made up of carbon dioxide, water vapour, helium, hydrogen,
argon etc.
Some particles like pollen from plants, dust, ash from meteorites and volcanic eruptions,
smoke from fire and salt particles from the sea are also present in the lower layer of the
atmosphere.
Question 2(b)
Explain the factors responsible for depletion of Ozone in the atmosphere.
Answer
The factors responsible for depletion of Ozone in atmosphere are-
Chemicals like Chlorine and Bromine

Chlorofluorocarbon gases used in refrigerators, aircraft and air conditioners. CFC compounds
escape into the atmosphere and finally break down in the stratosphere, producing Chlorine
atoms which destroy the Ozone layer.
Sulphur dioxide given out during volcanic eruptions, speeds up destructive chemical
reactions.
Solar storms consist of coronal mass ejections and solar flares associated with explosions on
the surface of the Sun. They also cause Ozone layer depletion.
Human activities also result in Ozone layer depletion. Due to bitterly cold Antarctic winter, the
stratospheric ice clouds promote the production of chemically active Chlorine and Bromine. This
leads to Ozone destruction when sunlight returns in the Antarctic spring.
Question 2(c)
State any three factors that lead to Global Warming.
Answer
Three factors that lead to Global Warming are-
Destruction of Ozone layer

Greenhouse effect in the atmosphere
Deforestation
Question 2(d)
Draw a well labelled diagram to explain the Greenhouse Effect.

Composition and Structure of The Atmosphere

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Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere

What is known as the atmosphere?

The blanket of air surrounding the Earth is known as the atmosphere.

State the gaseous composition of the atmosphere.

78% nitrogen gas

Name the four layers of the atmosphere.

The four layers of the atmosphere are-

What is known as the troposphere?

Mention the chief characteristics of the stratosphere.

The chief characteristics of stratosphere are-

In which layer of atmosphere do all the weather conditions occur?

All the weather conditions occur in the troposphere.

What is leading to depletion of Ozone Layer in the atmosphere?

What is known as Global Warming?

Name important Greenhouse gases.

Normal Lapse Rate of Temperature

The troposphere is characterised by regular decrease in temperature with altitude. This

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of Carbon,

Define atmosphere. Name the four layers of atmosphere.

The blanket of air surrounding the Earth is known as the atmosphere.

The four layers of the atmosphere are-

Mention any two functions of the atmosphere.

Two functions of the atmosphere are-

Give a reason for each of the following:

(i) We find it difficult to breathe when we climb mountains.

(ii) The atmosphere is the most dynamic entity.

(iii) All the weather phenomena take place in the troposphere.

Draw a well labelled diagram of the structure of the Earth's atmosphere.

Describe the structure of the atmosphere.

78% nitrogen gas

Explain the factors responsible for depletion of Ozone in the atmosphere.

The factors responsible for depletion of Ozone in atmosphere are-

Chemicals like Chlorine and Bromine

State any three factors that lead to Global Warming.

Destruction of Ozone layer

Draw a well labelled diagram to explain the Greenhouse Effect.

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