MCQs on the Stratosphere – Geography
Q1. The stratosphere is the __ layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
a) Lowest
b) Second lowest
c) Third lowest
d) Highest
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Correct Answer: b) Second lowest
Explanation: The stratosphere is the second lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere.
Q2. The primary function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is to:
a) Absorb ultraviolet radiation
b) Produce oxygen
c) Regulate temperature
d) Create weather patterns
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Correct Answer: a) Absorb ultraviolet radiation
Explanation: The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, protecting living organisms on Earth from harmful UV rays.
Q3. The temperature in the stratosphere 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 stratosphere generally increases with altitude due to the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer.
Q4. The ozone layer is primarily located in which part of the stratosphere?
a) Lower stratosphere
b) Middle stratosphere
c) Upper stratosphere
d) Stratosphere-troposphere boundary
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Correct Answer: a) Lower stratosphere
Explanation: The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from approximately 15 to 35 kilometers (9 to 22 mi) above Earth.
Q5. The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere is called the:
a) Tropopause
b) Stratopause
c) Mesopause
d) Thermopause
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Correct Answer: a) Tropopause
Explanation: The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere, where the temperature stops decreasing with altitude and starts increasing.
Q6. The stratosphere contains approximately what percentage of the Earth’s atmospheric mass?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 50%
d) 75%
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Correct Answer: a) 10%
Explanation: The stratosphere contains approximately 10% of the Earth’s atmospheric mass.
Q7. The temperature in the stratosphere is primarily influenced by:
a) The Earth’s rotation
b) The Earth’s revolution
c) The Earth’s tilt
d) The absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation
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Correct Answer: d) The absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation
Explanation: The temperature in the stratosphere is primarily influenced by the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer.
Q8. The stratosphere is characterized by:
a) Vertical mixing
b) Horizontal mixing
c) No mixing
d) Both vertical and horizontal mixing
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Correct Answer: b) Horizontal mixing
Explanation: The stratosphere is characterized by horizontal mixing, as its resistance to vertical mixing means that it is stratified)
Q9. The stratosphere is coldest at the:
a) Earth’s surface
b) Tropopause
c) Mid-latitudes
d) Poles
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Correct Answer: d) Poles
Explanation: The stratosphere is coldest at the poles, where temperatures can reach particularly low levels during the polar night (winter).
Q10. The stratosphere is warmest at the:
a) Equator
b) Tropopause
c) Mid-latitudes
d) Poles
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Correct Answer: a) Equator
Explanation: The stratosphere is warmest at the equator, where the temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer.
Q11. The stratosphere is primarily composed of:
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 stratosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen, similar to the troposphere.
Q12. The ozone layer is primarily composed of:
a) O2
b) O3
c) N2
d) CO2
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Correct Answer: b) O3
Explanation: The ozone layer is primarily composed of ozone (O3), a molecule containing three oxygen atoms.
Q13. The ozone layer’s thickness varies with:
a) Season
b) Latitude
c) Both season and latitude
d) Neither season nor latitude
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Correct Answer: c) Both season and latitude
Explanation: The thickness of the ozone layer varies seasonally and geographically.
Q14. The depletion of the ozone layer is primarily caused by:
a) Nitrogen oxides
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
d) Methane
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Correct Answer: c) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Explanation: The depletion of the ozone layer is primarily caused by human-produced gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which release chlorine or bromine atoms that deplete ozone.
Q15. The stratosphere’s temperature generally decreases with altitude in which layer of the atmosphere?
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
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Correct Answer: a) Troposphere
Explanation: The temperature in the troposphere generally decreases with altitude, while the temperature in the stratosphere increases with altitude.
Q16. The polar vortex is a feature of which atmospheric layer?
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
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Correct Answer: b) Stratosphere
Explanation: The polar vortex is a feature of the stratosphere, characterized by strong winds that circulate around the poles.
Q17. The stratosphere is driest at the:
a) Equator
b) Tropopause
c) Mid-latitudes
d) Poles
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Correct Answer: d) Poles
Explanation: The stratosphere is driest at the poles, where the air is very cold and contains little water vapour.
Q18. The stratosphere’s temperature is lowest during:
a) Polar day (summer)
b) Polar night (winter)
c) Equinox
d) Solstice
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Correct Answer: b) Polar night (winter)
Explanation: The stratosphere’s temperature is lowest during the polar night (winter), when the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation is at its weakest.
Q19. The stratosphere’s temperature is highest during:
a) Polar day (summer)
b) Polar night (winter)
c) Equinox
d) Solstice
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Correct Answer: a) Polar day (summer)
Explanation: The stratosphere’s temperature is highest during the polar day (summer), when the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation is at its strongest.
Q20. The stratosphere extends from approximately __ kilometers above Earth’s surface.
a) 8 to 15
b) 15 to 35
c) 35 to 50
d) 50 to 85
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Correct Answer: b) 15 to 35
Explanation: The stratosphere extends from approximately 15 to 35 kilometers (9 to 22 miles) above Earth’s surface, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere.