WORKSHEET

IN
CHEM 111
Name: Jose Angelo C. Aguiling
 1ST WORKSHEET IN CHEM111
1. Compare and contrast the major layers of the atmosphere in terms of temperature,
altitude, and composition.
a.) TROPOSPHERE

Temperature: 17 °C to -51 °C at the tropopause

Altitude: 8-14.50 kilometers
Composition: contains about 75% of all of the air in the atmosphere, and almost all of
the water vapor (which forms clouds and rain)
b.) STRATOSPHERE

Temperature: -51 °C to -15 °C

Altitude: 14.50-50 kilometers
Composition: contains much of the ozone in the atmosphere
c.) MESOSPHERE

Temperature: -15 °C to -85 °C

Altitude: 50-85 kilometers
Composition: composed of the same gases as the rest of the atmosphere. However,
because meteors and "shooting stars" burn up in this layer of the atmosphere, it also
contains meteoric smoke particles which contain atoms of metallic elements such as
iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium.
e.) THERMOSPHERE

Temperature: -85 °C to -120 °C

Altitude: 85-600 kilometers
Composition: atomic oxygen (O), atomic nitrogen, and helium (He) are the main
components of air.
f.) EXOSPHERE

Temperature: -120 °C below

Altitude: 600-10,000 kilometers
Composition: mainly composed of extremely low densities of hydrogen, helium and
several heavier molecules including nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide closer to the
exobase.

2.Write the equations of for the chemical reactions that lead to the formation of
ozone in the stratosphere.

ANS: O2 + uv  O· + O·

O2 + O·  O3

3. What is the source of the sulfur that contributes to the formation of acid rain?

Ans: The biggest sources are coal-burning power plants, factories, and automobiles.
When humans burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into
the atmosphere. Those air pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other substances to
form airborne sulfuric acid.
4. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. Why is it so rare in Earth’s
atmosphere?

Ans: The Earth and its atmosphere is very hot. Since hydrogen has a very low density,
its molecules move really fast, especially when warm. It moves so fast that it
eventually escapes Earth's gravity and drifts off into space.

5. Explain why the following statement is true: Ozone in the troposphere is considered
a pollutant, but ozone in the stratosphere is essential for life on Earth.

Ans: In the troposphere, too much of ground-level ozone is 'bad' as it is harmful to

breathe and also damages vegetation. While the ozone layer in the stratosphere acts as
a shield for life on Earth. Ozone is good at trapping a type of radiation called
ultraviolet radiation, or UV light, which can penetrate organisms' protective layers,
like skin, damaging DNA molecules in plants and animals.