Environmental Studies · Geography

Atmospheric Structure and Ozone

1,401 Questions

Atmospheric structure and ozone layer topics examine the Earth's atmospheric layers, the impact of solar radiation, and ozone depletion mechanisms. These environmental science concepts are crucial for general awareness sections in multiple competitive examinations. Review these questions to solidify your understanding of the stratosphere, polar vortex effects, and greenhouse gases.

Earth's atmospheric layersOzone layer depletionSolar ultraviolet radiationPolar vortex effectsCarbon dioxide impactOzone-depleting substances

Atmospheric Structure and Ozone Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is known as the real ozone killer?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions by selecting the most appropriate options.

We are today faced with a great ecological problem for which we ourselves are largely responsible. Our planet, the Earth, the only home of man is bathed in a steady rain of the sun's rays. Most of these rays supply us heat and light, but a small percentage is deadly. These are the ultraviolet - B rays (or UV - B). If these were to get to the surface of the Earth directly, they would kill us off. Luckily, the Earth’s surface is shielded from these rays by the ozone layer; but sadly enough this ozone layer is being destroyed by man.
The ozone layer is formed from a kind of oxygen with three atoms (O3) instead of the normal two (O2). Ozone oc­curs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface. It absorbs the dangerous UV -B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through. There, in the stratosphere, it is constantly being created by the sun's rays; thus it is a self-repairing shield. But man is now gradu­ally destroying this vital shield with his industrial gases. The most lethal of these gases are the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are used in making all kinds of foamed plastic products, propellants in spray cans, coolants in air condi­tioners and refrigerators and solvents to clean electronic equip­ment.

Down here, they are not lethal. But after they have leaked from air conditioners, plastic foam, cups, etc.; they slowly drift up to the stratosphere where, bombarded by ultraviolet rays, they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer. Sadly, one chlorine molecule may remain active for a century, destroying thousands of ozone molecules.

 

  1. Refrigerators & air conditioners

  2. Chlorofluorocarbons

  3. Chlorine

  4. Propellants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states: 'they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer.' Chlorine is identified as the actual ozone-destroying agent, while CFCs are the source that releases chlorine in the stratosphere.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements best describes the ozone layer?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions by selecting the most appropriate options.

We are today faced with a great ecological problem for which we ourselves are largely responsible. Our planet, the Earth, the only home of man is bathed in a steady rain of the sun's rays. Most of these rays supply us heat and light, but a small percentage is deadly. These are the ultraviolet - B rays (or UV - B). If these were to get to the surface of the Earth directly, they would kill us off. Luckily, the Earth’s surface is shielded from these rays by the ozone layer; but sadly enough this ozone layer is being destroyed by man.
The ozone layer is formed from a kind of oxygen with three atoms (O3) instead of the normal two (O2). Ozone oc­curs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface. It absorbs the dangerous UV -B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through. There, in the stratosphere, it is constantly being created by the sun's rays; thus it is a self-repairing shield. But man is now gradu­ally destroying this vital shield with his industrial gases. The most lethal of these gases are the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are used in making all kinds of foamed plastic products, propellants in spray cans, coolants in air condi­tioners and refrigerators and solvents to clean electronic equip­ment.

Down here, they are not lethal. But after they have leaked from air conditioners, plastic foam, cups, etc.; they slowly drift up to the stratosphere where, bombarded by ultraviolet rays, they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer. Sadly, one chlorine molecule may remain active for a century, destroying thousands of ozone molecules.

 

  1. It stops the UV Rays from reaching the earth's surface.

  2. It absorbs the UV rays and allows the much needed safe light to pass through.

  3. It contains deadly gases.

  4. It is made up of Oxygen and CFC molecules
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states the ozone layer 'absorbs the dangerous UV-B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through.' This accurately describes its dual function as a selective filter.

Multiple choice

The ozone layer is

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions by selecting the most appropriate options.

We are today faced with a great ecological problem for which we ourselves are largely responsible. Our planet, the Earth, the only home of man is bathed in a steady rain of the sun's rays. Most of these rays supply us heat and light, but a small percentage is deadly. These are the ultraviolet - B rays (or UV - B). If these were to get to the surface of the Earth directly, they would kill us off. Luckily, the Earth’s surface is shielded from these rays by the ozone layer; but sadly enough this ozone layer is being destroyed by man.
The ozone layer is formed from a kind of oxygen with three atoms (O3) instead of the normal two (O2). Ozone oc­curs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface. It absorbs the dangerous UV -B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through. There, in the stratosphere, it is constantly being created by the sun's rays; thus it is a self-repairing shield. But man is now gradu­ally destroying this vital shield with his industrial gases. The most lethal of these gases are the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are used in making all kinds of foamed plastic products, propellants in spray cans, coolants in air condi­tioners and refrigerators and solvents to clean electronic equip­ment.

Down here, they are not lethal. But after they have leaked from air conditioners, plastic foam, cups, etc.; they slowly drift up to the stratosphere where, bombarded by ultraviolet rays, they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer. Sadly, one chlorine molecule may remain active for a century, destroying thousands of ozone molecules.

 

  1. a man-made shield located in the stratosphere

  2. a naturally occurring shield in the stratosphere

  3. a shield made of various industrial gases

  4. a shield formed as a result of heavy rains
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage clearly states: 'Ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface' and describes it as a 'self-repairing shield' constantly being created by the sun's rays, confirming it's natural, not man-made.

Multiple choice

The greatest threat to the ozone layer is from

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions by selecting the most appropriate options.

We are today faced with a great ecological problem for which we ourselves are largely responsible. Our planet, the Earth, the only home of man is bathed in a steady rain of the sun's rays. Most of these rays supply us heat and light, but a small percentage is deadly. These are the ultraviolet - B rays (or UV - B). If these were to get to the surface of the Earth directly, they would kill us off. Luckily, the Earth’s surface is shielded from these rays by the ozone layer; but sadly enough this ozone layer is being destroyed by man.
The ozone layer is formed from a kind of oxygen with three atoms (O3) instead of the normal two (O2). Ozone oc­curs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface. It absorbs the dangerous UV -B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through. There, in the stratosphere, it is constantly being created by the sun's rays; thus it is a self-repairing shield. But man is now gradu­ally destroying this vital shield with his industrial gases. The most lethal of these gases are the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are used in making all kinds of foamed plastic products, propellants in spray cans, coolants in air condi­tioners and refrigerators and solvents to clean electronic equip­ment.

Down here, they are not lethal. But after they have leaked from air conditioners, plastic foam, cups, etc.; they slowly drift up to the stratosphere where, bombarded by ultraviolet rays, they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer. Sadly, one chlorine molecule may remain active for a century, destroying thousands of ozone molecules.

 

  1. chlorofluorocarbons

  2. UV - B Rays

  3. O3 molecules

  4. foamed plastic products
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states CFCs are 'the most lethal of these gases' used in various industrial products, and that they 'drift up to the stratosphere' where they 'break up at last, releasing chlorine.' While chlorine does the damage, CFCs are the greatest threat because they're the source that delivers chlorine to the stratosphere.

Multiple choice

Which word in the passage is a synonym of 'deadly'?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions by selecting the most appropriate options.

We are today faced with a great ecological problem for which we ourselves are largely responsible. Our planet, the Earth, the only home of man is bathed in a steady rain of the sun's rays. Most of these rays supply us heat and light, but a small percentage is deadly. These are the ultraviolet - B rays (or UV - B). If these were to get to the surface of the Earth directly, they would kill us off. Luckily, the Earth’s surface is shielded from these rays by the ozone layer; but sadly enough this ozone layer is being destroyed by man.
The ozone layer is formed from a kind of oxygen with three atoms (O3) instead of the normal two (O2). Ozone oc­curs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface. It absorbs the dangerous UV -B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through. There, in the stratosphere, it is constantly being created by the sun's rays; thus it is a self-repairing shield. But man is now gradu­ally destroying this vital shield with his industrial gases. The most lethal of these gases are the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are used in making all kinds of foamed plastic products, propellants in spray cans, coolants in air condi­tioners and refrigerators and solvents to clean electronic equip­ment.

Down here, they are not lethal. But after they have leaked from air conditioners, plastic foam, cups, etc.; they slowly drift up to the stratosphere where, bombarded by ultraviolet rays, they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer. Sadly, one chlorine molecule may remain active for a century, destroying thousands of ozone molecules.

 

  1. shielded

  2. lethal

  3. vital

  4. active
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states that 'a small percentage is deadly' referring to UV-B rays. Later it describes chlorofluorocarbons as 'the most lethal of these gases.' Since 'lethal' and 'deadly' both mean causing death, they are synonyms. The other options (shielded, vital, active) describe different qualities of the ozone layer or chlorine but do not mean deadly.

Multiple choice

In the beginning there was no oxygen in atmosphere. The activity of which organism is supposed to have made the earth's atmosphere aerobic or oxygen-rich?

  1. Monocotyledons

  2. Filamentous algae

  3. Cyanobacteria

  4. Mycoplasma

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) were the first organisms to perform oxygenic photosynthesis, gradually converting Earth's reducing atmosphere to an oxygen-rich one over billions of years. Monocotyledons are plants that evolved much later, while filamentous algae and mycoplasma do not produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

Multiple choice

With the help of which phenomenon does carbon dioxide keep the earth’s atmosphere warm?

  1. Photosynthesis

  2. Respiration

  3. Breathing

  4. Greenhouse effect

  5. Water cycle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of earth's atmosphere and oceans. Warming of the climate system is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The heat caused by infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone and methane which slow its escape from the atmosphere. Although greenhouse gases make up only about 1 percent of the earth's atmosphere, they regulate our climate by trapping heat and holding it in a kind of warm air blanket that surrounds the planet. This phenomenon is what scientists call the greenhouse effect. Without it, scientists estimate that the average temperature on earth would be colder by approximately 30 degrees, far too cold to sustain our current ecosystem.

Multiple choice

Identify the wrong statement in the following

  1. Ozone layer does not permit infrared radiation from the sun to reach the earth.
  2. Acid rain is mostly because of oxides of carbon and sulphur.
  3. Chlorofluorocarbons are responsible for ozone layer depletion.
  4. Greenhouse effect is responsible for global warming. Select the correct answer.

  1. Only 1

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 1, 2 and 3

  4. 2 and 4

  5. 3 and 4

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ozone layer does not permit the ultraviolet radiation from the sum to the earth. Acid rain is mostly because of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.

Multiple choice

In which of the following layers of the atmosphere is ozone gas found?

  1. Stratosphere

  2. Ionosphere

  3. Troposphere

  4. Mesosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 The stratosphere is layered in temperature because ozone (O3) absorbs high energy UVB and UVC energy waves from the sun and are broken down into atomic oxygen (O1D) and diatomic oxygen (O2) at wavelengths below 1180 nm.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The Earth is surrounded by an ocean of gases we call the atmosphere. The atmosphere is important because it contains the air that most living things breathe. It also absorbs heat energy from the sun. It even recycles water by returning it back to the Earth as rain. Without the atmosphere, life as we know could not exist on Earth. The atmosphere extends about 600 kilometres (about 373 miles) above the surface of the Earth. Scientists discovered that the atmosphere is divided into layers, just like a layered cake. Each layer differs in thickness and in temperature. These layers also differ in composition – the types of gases that make up each layer.

Which of the following is not true about atmosphere?

  1. Atmosphere has the same temperature everywhere.

  2. An atmosphere is around 600 kilometers thick.

  3. Atmosphere is divided into layers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

It is mentioned that “each layer differs in thickness and in temperature.”

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The Earth is surrounded by an ocean of gases we call the atmosphere. The atmosphere is important because it contains the air that most living things breathe. It also absorbs heat energy from the sun. It even recycles water by returning it back to the Earth as rain. Without the atmosphere, life as we know could not exist on Earth. The atmosphere extends about 600 kilometres (about 373 miles) above the surface of the Earth. Scientists discovered that the atmosphere is divided into layers, just like a layered cake. Each layer differs in thickness and in temperature. These layers also differ in composition – the types of gases that make up each layer.

Each layer differs in

  1. thickness and temperature

  2. composition

  3. Both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

All of these points have been mentioned in the last two lines of the text.