MCQs on the Thermosphere – World Geography
Q1. The thermosphere is the __ layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
a) Lowest
b) Second lowest
c) Third lowest
d) Fourth lowest
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Correct Answer: d) Fourth lowest
Explanation: The thermosphere is the fourth lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, located above the mesosphere and below the exosphere.
Q2. The temperature in the thermosphere generally:
a) Increases with altitude
b) Decreases with altitude
c) Remains constant with altitude
d) Varies unpredictably with altitude
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Correct Answer: a) Increases with altitude
Explanation: The temperature in the thermosphere generally increases with altitude due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation, such as X-rays and ultraviolet radiation.
Q3. The primary gases in the thermosphere are:
a) Nitrogen and oxygen
b) Oxygen and carbon dioxide
c) Nitrogen and argon
d) Carbon dioxide and argon
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Correct Answer: a) Nitrogen and oxygen
Explanation: The thermosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen, with trace amounts of other gases such as helium, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Q4. The thermosphere extends from approximately __ kilometers above Earth’s surface.
a) 50 to 85
b) 85 to 600
c) 600 to 10,000
d) 10,000 to 100,000
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Correct Answer: b) 85 to 600
Explanation: The thermosphere extends from approximately 85 to 600 kilometers (53 to 373 miles) above Earth’s surface, located above the mesosphere and below the exosphere.
Q5. The ionosphere is a part of the:
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
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Correct Answer: d) Thermosphere
Explanation: The ionosphere is a part of the thermosphere, where solar radiation ionizes the gases, creating a layer of charged particles.
Q6. The auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) occur in the:
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
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Correct Answer: d) Thermosphere
Explanation: The auroras occur in the thermosphere, as charged particles from the solar wind interact with Earth’s magnetic field and the ionosphere, causing the emission of light.
Q7. The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth in the:
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
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Correct Answer: d) Thermosphere
Explanation: The International Space Station orbits Earth in the thermosphere, at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
Q8. The air density in the thermosphere is:
a) Higher than in the troposphere
b) Lower than in the troposphere
c) The same as in the troposphere
d) Higher than in the stratosphere
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Correct Answer: b) Lower than in the troposphere
Explanation: The air density in the thermosphere is much lower than in the troposphere due to the decreasing number of gas molecules at higher altitudes.
Q9. The thermosphere is primarily heated by:
a) Direct sunlight
b) The Earth’s surface
c) The Earth’s core
d) The stratosphere
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Correct Answer: a) Direct sunlight
Explanation: The thermosphere is primarily heated by direct sunlight, as it absorbs high-energy solar radiation, such as X-rays and ultraviolet radiation.
Q10. The thermosphere is characterized by:
a) Vertical mixing
b) Horizontal mixing
c) No mixing
d) Both vertical and horizontal mixing
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Correct Answer: a) Vertical mixing
Explanation: The thermosphere is characterized by vertical mixing due to the high-energy solar radiation causing turbulence and the ionization of gases.
Q11. The Van Allen radiation belts are located in the:
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
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Correct Answer: d) Thermosphere
Explanation: The Van Allen radiation belts are located in the thermosphere, where charged particles are trapped by Earth’s magnetic field)
Q12. The thermosphere is important for protecting Earth from:
a) Solar radiation
b) Meteoroids
c) Cosmic rays
d) Earth’s magnetic field
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Correct Answer: a) Solar radiation
Explanation: The thermosphere is important for protecting Earth from solar radiation, as it absorbs high-energy solar radiation, such as X-rays and ultraviolet radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth’s surface.
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Correct Answer: b) Lower than in the troposphere
Explanation: The air pressure in the thermosphere is much lower than in the troposphere due to the decreasing number of gas molecules at higher altitudes.
Q14. The thermosphere is primarily composed of which two gases?
a) Nitrogen and oxygen
b) Oxygen and carbon dioxide
c) Nitrogen and argon
d) Carbon dioxide and argon
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Correct Answer: a) Nitrogen and oxygen
Explanation: The thermosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen, with trace amounts of other gases such as helium, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Q15. The temperature in the thermosphere can reach up to:
a) 500°C (932°F)
b) 1,000°C (1,832°F)
c) 2,500°C (4,532°F)
d) 5,000°C (9,032°F)
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Correct Answer: c) 2,500°C (4,532°F)
Explanation: The temperature in the thermosphere can reach up to 2,500°C (4,532°F) due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation.
Q16. The thermopause is the boundary between which two layers of the atmosphere?
a) Troposphere and stratosphere
b) Stratosphere and mesosphere
c) Mesosphere and thermosphere
d) Thermosphere and exosphere
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Correct Answer: d) Thermosphere and exosphere
Explanation: The thermopause is the boundary between the thermosphere and the exosphere, where the temperature stops increasing with altitude and starts decreasing.
Q17. The thermosphere is the region of the atmosphere where:
a) Weather occurs
b) Ozone layer is located
c) Meteors burn up
d) Satellites orbit
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Correct Answer: d) Satellites orbit
Explanation: The thermosphere is the region of the atmosphere where satellites orbit, as the low air density minimizes drag and allows for stable orbits.
Q18. The air temperature in the thermosphere:
a) Increases with altitude due to the absorption of solar radiation
b) Decreases with altitude due to the absorption of solar radiation
c) Increases with altitude due to the Earth’s magnetic field
d) Decreases with altitude due to the Earth’s magnetic field
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Correct Answer: a) Increases with altitude due to the absorption of solar radiation
Explanation: The air temperature in the thermosphere increases with altitude due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation, such as X-rays and ultraviolet radiation.
Q19. The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere that is:
a) Located within the troposphere
b) Located within the stratosphere
c) Located within the mesosphere
d) Located within the thermosphere
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Correct Answer: d) Located within the thermosphere
Explanation: The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere that is located within the thermosphere, where the atmosphere is ionized by solar radiation and forms a layer of charged particles.
Q20. The thermosphere is the region of the atmosphere where:
a) The Earth’s magnetic field is strongest
b) The Earth’s magnetic field is weakest
c) The Earth’s magnetic field has no effect
d) The Earth’s magnetic field is variable
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Correct Answer: a) The Earth’s magnetic field is strongest
Explanation: The thermosphere is the region of the atmosphere where the Earth’s magnetic field is strongest, as the charged particles in the ionosphere interact with the magnetic field, creating phenomena such as the auroras (Northern and Southern Lights).