Short Answer QuestionsQuestion 1What is known as atmosphere?

State the composition of the

atmosphere.Answer

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

he 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 2Name the four layers of the atmosphere. Give one function of the outer most layer.

AnswerThe four layers of the atmosphere are-

Troposphere,Stratosphere,Mesosphere,Thermosphere

Thermosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere where the satellites orbit the earth.

Question 3What is known as troposphere? List any two characteristics of 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.Two characteristics of the troposphere are:Seventy-five per
cent of the atmosphere is found in the troposphere and its concentration decreases as we go higher
from ground level.The troposphere is heated more from below than from above.

Question 4Mention the chief characteristics of 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 5

In which layer of atmosphere do all the weather conditions occur? Name the constituent gases of
atmosphere which scientists consider responsible for climate change.

AnswerAll the weather conditions occur in the troposphere.

The constituent gases of atmosphere which scientists consider responsible for climate change are
Carbon dioxide, Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons, Ozone and Water Vapour.

Question 6:What is known as Ozone Layer? What is leading to depletion of Ozone Layer in the
atmosphere?

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.

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 Ozone layer.

Question 7

What would be the effect of Ozone Layer depletion? List the natural causes of Ozone Layer depletion.

Answer:The effects of ozone layer depletion are as follows:

Increased levels of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

Ultraviolet radiation can lead to skin cancer, eye damage, cataracts and weakened immune systems.

It can cause damage to marine ecosystems.

Increased UV radiation can harm crops, leading to reduced agricultural productivity and food scarcity.

It can affect biogeochemical cycles, including those of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon.

It can influence climate patterns, altering atmospheric temperatures and precipitation levels.

The natural causes of ozone layer depletion are volcanic eruptions and solar flares.

Question 8:What is known as Global Warming? Name important Greenhouse gases.

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.

Some important Greenhouse gases are Carbon dioxide, Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons, Ozone and
Water Vapour.

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 takes 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 breath.

(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 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:

Troposphere — It is the lowermost and densest layer. Its height varies from 18 km at the Equator to 8
km at the Poles.

Stratosphere — This layer lies above the Troposphere. It extends to a height of 50 km from sea level.

Mesosphere — This layer lies above the Stratosphere. It extends to a height of 80 km from ground level.

Thermosphere — It lies above Mesosphere and consists of two parts:

Ionosphere — It extends up to a height of about 400 km.

Exosphere — It is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere. It lies between 400 to 1500 km above the
earth.Question 2(b)Explain the factors responsible for depletion of Ozone in 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.

Answer:Below diagram shows the Greenhouse Effect: