Victory for the ACT Student Text 15e

S CIENCE Q UIZZES • 333

6 . Which statement accurately describes the relationship between the approximate altitude and the approximate mean temperature of the layers of the atmosphere? F. As altitude increases, temperature increases. G. As altitude increases, temperature decreases. H. As altitude increases, temperature ϐ‹”•– †‡…”‡ƒ•‡• –Š‡…‘–‹—‘—•Ž› increases. J. As altitude increases, temperature ϐ‹”•– †‡…”‡ƒ•‡•ǡ –Š‡ ‹…”‡ƒ•‡•ǡ –Š‡ decreases, and then increases. 7. According to the diagram, the atmospheric layer with the narrowest range of altitude is the: A. thermosphere. B. troposphere. C. mesosphere. D. stratosphere. 8. Which of the following atmospheric layers can x-rays penetrate that ultraviolet radiation can not penetrate? F. troposphere G. stratosphere H. mesosphere J. thermosphere 9. The absorption of solar heat energy increases as the gases of the atmosphere „‡…‘‡ Ž‡•• †‡•‡ǡ ‘” ”ƒ”‡ϐ‹‡†Ǥ Š‡ Žƒ›‡” of the atmosphere that appears most ”ƒ”‡ϐ‹‡† ‹• –Š‡ǣ A. thermosphere. B. mesosphere. C. stratosphere. D. troposphere.

EXPLANATIONS

6. (J) Science/Interpretation of Data/Analysis In the graph, the temperature data corre- sponds to the axis at the top of the dia- gram. The general trend of the tempera- ture data is to decrease (from about 30°C at sea level), then increase, then decrease, and then increase again to nearly 80°C.

8. (G) Science/Evaluation of Models/ Com- prehension According to the right side of the diagram, ultraviolet radiation and x-rays both pen- etrate the thermospere and mesosphere. Ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate further than the mesosphere. However, x-rays do penetrate the stratosphere. 9. (A) Science/Interpretation of Data/ Analy- sis The greater the amount of solar heat ab- sorbed by an atmospheric layer, –Š‡ Š‘––‡” ƒ† ‘”‡ ”ƒ”‡ϐ‹‡† –Šƒ– Žƒ›‡” will become. According to the diagram, the hottest layer is the thermosphere. 7. (B) Science/Interpretation of Data/ Com- prehension Altitude is shown by the left-hand axis of the graph. The troposphere is the atmo- spheric layer with the smallest range of altitude, from sea level to about 12 km.