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World Geography MCQs – 04 (Atmosphere)

Atmosphere MCQs with answers and explanations for all examinations.

1. What is the correct sequence of gasses found in the atmosphere on the basis of the percentage in descending order ?

(a) Nitrogen > oxygen > helium > carbon dioxide
(b) Nitrogen > oxygen > carbon dioxide > argon
(c) Nitrogen > oxygen > argon > carbon dioxide
(d) Nitrogen > oxygen > methane > carbon dioxide

Correct Answer – (c) Nitrogen > oxygen > argon > carbon dioxide

  • Atmosphere is a mixture of many gasses in which following are the major gasses:
    • Nitrogen – 78%
    • Oxygen – 21%
    • Argon – 0.93%
    • Carbon dioxide – 0.03%
    • Other gasses – 0.04%

2. Consider the following statements:

1. Nitrogen is the most plentiful gas in the air.
2. Plants fulfill their need for nitrogen, directly from the air.

Which of the above statements is/are true?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 & 2
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer – (a) 1 only

  • Nitrogen is the most plentiful gas in the air(78% of all the gasses). 
  • When we inhale, we take some amount of nitrogen into our lungs and exhale it. 
  • Plants also need nitrogen for their survival(as it is a vital nutrient) however they cannot take nitrogen directly from the air. 
  • Bacteria that live in the soil and roots of some plants take nitrogen from the air and change its form so that plants can use it. These types of bacterias are called Nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
  • The bacteria take nitrogen from the air as a gas and release it into the soil, mainly as ammonia which can be used by plants.
  • Example – Rhizobium, Azotobacter.

3. On the basis of temperature, the atmosphere has been divided into how many layers ?

(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer – (c) 5

  • On the basis of temperature, the atmosphere has been divided into five layers which are as following:
    • Troposphere
    • Stratosphere
    • Mesosphere
    • Thermosphere or Ionosphere
    • Exosphere

4. The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere is ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (a) Troposphere 

  • Troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
  • The troposphere starts at the surface of the earth and goes up to a height of 8 km at poles and up to 18 kms at the equator.
  • In the Troposphere, Temperature decreases with increase in height.

5. All the weather related phenomena like rainfall, fog and hailstorm occur in which layer of atmosphere ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (a) Troposphere 

  • The troposphere is the most important layer of the atmosphere. 
  • Its average height is 13 kilometers.
  • Almost all the weather phenomena like rainfall, fog and hailstorm occur in this layer.

6. The layer of the atmosphere found above the troposphere is ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (b) Stratosphere 

  • The layer of the atmosphere found above the troposphere is the Stratosphere .
  • It is the second layer of atmosphere.
  • It goes up to 50 km from the surface of earth.
  • The stratosphere is almost free from clouds and other associated weather phenomena hence it is most ideal for flying airplanes.
  • Only exception is polar stratospheric clouds which occur mainly at high latitudes during the extreme winter.

7. The Ozone layer is found in which among the following layers of atmosphere ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (b) Stratosphere 

  • The Ozone layer is found in the Stratosphere.
  • This Ozone layer is very vital in preserving life on earth as it absorbs UV rays coming from the sun and protects the earth from harmful radiations.

8. Consider the following statements :

1. The transitional zone between Troposphere and Stratosphere is called Tropopause.
2. The transitional zone between Stratosphere and Mesosphere is called Stratopause

Which of the above assertions is/are true?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None of the Above

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2 

  • Both the statements are correct.
  • The transitional zone between Troposphere and Stratosphere is called Tropopause.
  • Mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere. It lies above the stratosphere and extends up to the height of 80 km. 
  • The transitional zone between Stratosphere and Mesosphere is called Stratopause

9. Which among the following is the coldest atmospheric layer ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (c) Mesosphere 

  • Mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere and the coldest among all.
  • Temperature in the Mesosphere  can reach up to -173 degrees Celsius.
  • Meteors while entering into earth’s atmosphere get burned in this layer hence saving the earth’s surface and its inhabitants.

10. Which among the following atmospheric layers reflects the radio waves transmitted from the earth ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (d) Thermosphere

  • Thermosphere starts at Mesopause at 80 km and extends up to 400 km.
  • It  reflects the radio waves transmitted from the earth back and important for radio/satellite communication on earth.
  • The temperature increases with the increase in height in the Thermosphere.

11. Ionosphere is part of which among the following layers ?

(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (d) Thermosphere

  • The Ionosphere is a part of the thermosphere.
  • The lower Thermosphere is called the Ionosphere which contains electrically charged particles known as ions.

12. Which among the following is the outermost layer of the atmosphere ?

(a) Exosphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Thermosphere

Correct Answer – (a) Exosphere

  • Exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere.
  • Molecules found here have extremely low density and can escape into space.
  • Most artificial satellites orbit earth in this layer.

13. Which of the following assertions is/are true?

1. The gravitational force of the earth holds the atmosphere around it.
2. The changes in the atmosphere produce changes in the weather and climate.
3. Plant and animal kingdom together make biosphere or the living world.

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer – (d) All of the above

  • The gravitational force of the earth holds the atmosphere around it. It protects us from the harmful rays and scorching heat of the sun. 
  • The atmosphere consists of a number of gasses, dust and water vapor. 
  • The changes in the atmosphere produce changes in the weather and climate. Plant and animal kingdom together make the biosphere or the living world. 
  • It is a narrow zone of the earth where land, water and air interact with each other to support life.

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