Chapter 11

1. Atmosphere – the envelope of air surrounding the Earth is called atmosphere.

2. Wind – Air in horizontal motion is known as wind.

3. Atmospheric Pressure – Pressure exerted by a column of air on the surface of the earth is
called atmospheric pressure.

4. Describe the structure of the atmosphere.

Ans: The atmosphere consists of concentric layers of air. On the basis of the characteristics
of temperature and air pressure, it can be divided into four thermal layers — Troposphere,
Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere. The Thermosphere is divided into Ionosphere
and Exosphere. The four layers are briefly described below:

1. Troposphere — It is the lowermost and densest layer. Its height varies from 18 km at
the Equator to 8 km at the Poles.
2. Stratosphere — This layer lies above the Troposphere. It extends to a height of 50 km
from sea level.
3. Mesosphere — This layer lies above the Stratosphere. It extends to a height of 80 km
from ground level.
4. Thermosphere — It lies above Mesosphere and consists of two parts:
i. Ionosphere — It extends up to a height of about 400 km.
ii. Exosphere — It is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere. It lies between 400 to
1500 km above the earth.

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

Ans- The factors responsible for depletion of Ozone in atmosphere are-

1. Chemicals like Chlorine and Bromine

2. 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.
3. Sulphur dioxide given out during volcanic eruptions, speeds up destructive chemical
reactions.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. State any three factors that lead to Global Warming.
Ans- Three factors that lead to Global Warming are-

1. Destruction of Ozone layer

2. Greenhouse effect in the atmosphere

7. State the gaseous composition of the atmosphere.

Ans- The atmosphere consists of 78% Nitrogen 21% oxygen and 1% other gases.

8. Mention the functions of the atmosphere.

Ans- Air has weight and exerts pressure. Being pressed down it always remains in contact with
land and water.

1. Due to their physical contact, exchange of gases between air, land and water takes place on
a continuous basis.
2. Soil absorbs oxygen and nitrogen due to this contact. Water vapours in air rise from oceans
on account of evaporation.

9. Name the four layers of the atmosphere.

Ans: Four layers of the atmosphere are :

1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere,
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere.

10. What is known as troposphere ?

Ans- Troposphere is the lowest and densest layer of atmosphere touching the land surface. It
extends from 8km to 18 km. in height

11. Mention the chief characteristics of stratosphere.

Ans- There is total absence of water vapour in this layer. It extends upto a height of 50 km. The
temperature remains constant up to – 55°C.

12. In which layer of atmosphere do all weather conditions occur ?

Ans-Troposphere is the layer where all weather conditions occur in different forms.

13. Name the constituent gases of atmosphere which scientists consider responsible for climate
change.

Ans- Carbon dioxide and ozone are responsible for climate change, as carbon dioxide absorbs
heat from sun and by radiation from the earth; ozone absorbs extremely hot ultra-violet rays
controlling the ideal temperature conditions on the earth.
14. What is known as ozone layer ?
Ans- Stratosphere contains sufficient amount of ozone which absorbs the extremely hot ultra-
violet rays of the sun. It is known as ozone layer.

15. What is leading to depletion of ozone layer in the atmosphere ?

Ans- Excessive emission of carbon monoxide and CFCs from industries and vehicles take out the
oxygen from ozone layer to form different compounds (oxides). In this way the depletion of
ozone layer takes place.

16. What is known as Global Warming?

Ans- Global Warming is the increase in temperature of earth due to enhanced concentration of
Greenhouse gases (CFCs) in the atmosphere.

17. Name important Greenhouse gases.

Ans- The main Greenhouse gases are CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and nitrogen oxides which are
emitted by fertilizers industries and transport engines along with carbon dioxide and methane.

18. Name two chief characteristics of atmosphere.

Ans- Atmosphere protects earth from harmful ultra-violet and infra-red rays of the sun. It
controls the hydrological cycle and provide life giving gases.

19. What keeps the atmosphere in a dynamic state ?

Ans- The atmosphere protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays of the sun.
It has oxygen and nitrogen, the life sustaining gases. It helps in retaining the necessary warmth
on the earth and helps in the circulation of water vapour as the source of rainfall. These
functions of atmosphere keep it in a dynamic state.

20. What is called weather ?

Ans- Weather is the physical condition or state of atmosphere (temperature, pressure, state of
sky etc.) at a given locality or an area.

Explain the following terms

21. Global Warming : The temperature on the earth is rising. This phenomenon known as Global
Warming is the result of enhanced concentration of Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused
mainly by human activities.

22. Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse are built in cold areas to grow the plants within it in warm
temperature. But, due to Global Warming the whole earth is becoming a Greenhouse due to
increase in temperature, which indirectly disturb the normal life on earth by challenging nature
and nature will originate many unwanted problems of change in climate, radiation imbalance,
diseases etc.

23. Normal Lapse Rate of Temperature : The decrease in Temperature is known as normal lapse
rate, which is calculated as average decrease of 1°C for every 166 metres altitude gained. The
lapse rate works mainly in troposphere which results in various types of weather and climatic
changes affecting the life on earth.

24. CFCs : (Chlorofluorocarbons) are organic compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine
produced as volatile deriatives of methane and ethane which catalyze the conversion of ozone
(O3) into O2, while O3 is more powerful to absorb ultra-violet rays than that of O2. So CFCs
disturb the ozone layer which is so essential for earth.

[Link] is known as troposphere ?

Ans:Troposphere is the lowest and densest layer of atmosphere touching the land surface. It
extends from 8km to 18 km. in height

26. Mention the chief characteristics of stratosphere.

Ans:There is total absence of water vapour in this layer. It extends upto a height of 50 km. The
temperature remains constant up to – 55°C.

27. In which layer of atmosphere do all weather conditions occur ?

Ans- Troposphere is the layer where all weather conditions occur in different forms.

28. Name the constituent gases of atmosphere which scientists consider responsible for climate
change.
Ans- Carbon dioxide and ozone are responsible for climate change, as carbon dioxide absorbs
heat from sun and by radiation from the earth; ozone absorbs extremely hot ultra-violet rays
controlling the ideal temperature conditions on the earth.

29. What are the properties of Troposphere and Ionosphere?

Ans- Properties of Troposphere :

1. It extends to a height of 18 km at the equator and declines gradually to a height of 8 km at

the poles.
2. Most of the weather phenomena take place in this layer.
3. It contains almost all the water vapour and most of the dust particles. It is a turbulent zone.
4. The upper limit of troposphere is called tropopause.
5. In the troposphere, the temperature of air decreases at an average rate of 1°C for every
166 metres.

Properties of Ionosphere :

1. It extends from 80 km to 480 km.

2. It contains electrically charged gas molecules which reflect the radio waves used in long
distance communication back to the earth.
3. The northern lights or aurora borealis are in this zone,
4. The temperature in this layer rises to a very high degree because the molecules in this
layer absorb X-rays and ultra violet radiation coming from the sun.
30. Give reasons for the following :

1. The Earth does not experience extremes of temperature as in other planets.

2. The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere varies from place to place.
3. Solid particles play an important role in the atmosphere.
4. In the troposphere, the temperature decreases with height.
5. The stratosphere is crucial to life on Earth.
6. The ionosphere (thermosphere) is suited to long distance communication.
7. As a jet plane flies high in the sky, it leaves a white trail behind.
8. The exosphere allows the gas molecules to easily escape into space.
9. Dust particles plays a significant role in the atmosphere.

Answer:

1. The earth does not experience extremes of temperature as on other planets due to the
presence of the atmosphere.
2. The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere varies from place to place due to difference
in temperature.
3. The solid particles play an important role in the atmosphere because they act as nuclei for
the condensation of water vapour around them.

4. The troposphere lies closest to the Earth’s surface and contains all the water vapour, mostly
dust particles and clouds. This layer is subjected to intense mixing due to both horizontal and
vertical circulation. Thus, the temperature decreases with height in this layer.

5. The stratosphere is crucial to life on the earth because the ozone layer present in it absorbs
the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun.

6. The ionosphere is suited to long distance communication because radio waves used for this
purpose are reflected back to the earth by the electrically charged gas molecules in it.

7. As a jet plane flies high in the sky, it leaves a white trail behind because moisture from the
engine forms condensation tracks which are not disturbed due to lack of air movement at that
height.

8. The exosphere allows the gas molecules to easily escape into space due to lack of gravity.

9. Solid dust particles present in the atmosphere act as a nuclei for change of water vapour into
raindrops around [Link] also scatter Sun’s radiation during Sunrise or Sunset, However,
dust particles present in the lower layer of atmosphere may be harmful to us. They are the
greatest health hazards.

31. Major differences between Homosphere and Heterosphere

Homosphere Heterosphere
 Homosphere Heterosphere

In the homosphere, the gases are well In the heterosphere, the gases are separated by their
mixed and their concentrations are molecular weight and their concentrations vary with
uniform. altitude.

The heterosphere extends from the top of the

The homosphere extends from the Earth’s
homosphere up to the exosphere, which is the outermost
surface up to about 80-100 km.
layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.

The primary gases in the homosphere are The primary gases in the heterosphere are hydrogen
nitrogen and oxygen. and helium.

The homosphere is the region where

The heterosphere is too thin and too high for most
weather occurs and where aircraft and
aircraft and balloons.
balloons can operate.

32. Ionisation – ionisation refers to the process by which atoms are charged into ions through
removal or addition of electrons , giving them an electrical charge.

33. How is ozone formed?

Ans- pg 113 (formation of ozone)

34. Effects of ozone depletion

Ans: pg113 (cii,iii,iv)

35. Consequences of global warming. (pg. 115)