Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Composition and Structure of Atmosphere Important Questions

Composition and Structure of Atmosphere Important Questions

These Composition and Structure of Atmosphere Important Questions cover important NCERT concepts related to atmosphere, atmospheric composition, gases, ozone layer, water vapour, atmospheric layers and weather elements.

The chapter-wise questions include MCQs, one-word questions, assertion and reason questions and analytical descriptive questions useful for UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSC, CUET, CBSE board exams and competitive examinations.

NCERT Page Coverage: Page 64–66

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

These MCQs from Composition and Structure of Atmosphere help students revise important concepts related to atmospheric composition, atmospheric layers and weather-related processes.

MCQ 1

The atmosphere is mainly composed of:

  • A. Only oxygen
  • B. Mixture of gases
  • C. Only nitrogen
  • D. Water vapour only
Answer: B. Mixture of gases

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 2

Approximately 99 per cent of atmospheric mass is confined within:

  • A. 10 km
  • B. 20 km
  • C. 32 km
  • D. 100 km
Answer: C. 32 km

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 3

Which gas is essential for respiration in humans and animals?

  • A. Carbon dioxide
  • B. Oxygen
  • C. Nitrogen
  • D. Helium
Answer: B. Oxygen

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 4

Carbon dioxide is important because it:

  • A. Blocks all solar radiation
  • B. Causes earthquakes
  • C. Produces greenhouse effect
  • D. Creates ozone layer only
Answer: C. Produces greenhouse effect

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 5

Which gas is transparent to incoming solar radiation but opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation?

  • A. Oxygen
  • B. Nitrogen
  • C. Carbon dioxide
  • D. Helium
Answer: C. Carbon dioxide

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 6

The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is mainly due to:

  • A. Earthquakes
  • B. Ocean tides
  • C. Burning of fossil fuels
  • D. Volcanic ash only
Answer: C. Burning of fossil fuels

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 7

The ozone layer is mainly located between:

  • A. 0–5 km
  • B. 10–50 km
  • C. 60–80 km
  • D. 100–150 km
Answer: B. 10–50 km

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 8

The ozone layer protects Earth from:

  • A. Infrared rays
  • B. Radio waves
  • C. Ultra-violet rays
  • D. Cosmic dust only
Answer: C. Ultra-violet rays

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 9

Water vapour in the atmosphere mainly acts like a:

  • A. Mirror
  • B. Blanket
  • C. Barrier wall
  • D. Magnetic shield
Answer: B. Blanket

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 10

Water vapour decreases from:

  • A. Poles to equator
  • B. Equator to poles
  • C. Oceans to mountains only
  • D. Plains to deserts only
Answer: B. Equator to poles

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 11

Dust particles in the atmosphere act as:

  • A. Heat producers only
  • B. Hygroscopic nuclei
  • C. Ozone generators
  • D. Wind barriers
Answer: B. Hygroscopic nuclei

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 12

Which atmospheric layer contains most weather phenomena?

  • A. Mesosphere
  • B. Stratosphere
  • C. Troposphere
  • D. Exosphere
Answer: C. Troposphere

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 13

The average height of troposphere is about:

  • A. 5 km
  • B. 13 km
  • C. 32 km
  • D. 50 km
Answer: B. 13 km

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 14

The thickness of troposphere is greatest near:

  • A. Poles
  • B. Tropics only
  • C. Equator
  • D. Temperate regions
Answer: C. Equator

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 15

Temperature in troposphere decreases at the rate of:

  • A. 1°C per 100 m
  • B. 1°C per 165 m
  • C. 2°C per 100 m
  • D. 6°C per 1000 m only
Answer: B. 1°C per 165 m

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 16

The boundary between troposphere and stratosphere is called:

  • A. Mesopause
  • B. Tropopause
  • C. Thermopause
  • D. Exobase
Answer: B. Tropopause

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 17

Which atmospheric layer contains ozone layer?

  • A. Troposphere
  • B. Stratosphere
  • C. Mesosphere
  • D. Exosphere
Answer: B. Stratosphere

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 18

The mesosphere extends up to about:

  • A. 50 km
  • B. 80 km
  • C. 120 km
  • D. 400 km
Answer: B. 80 km

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 19

The ionosphere contains electrically charged particles called:

  • A. Molecules
  • B. Nuclei
  • C. Ions
  • D. Vapours
Answer: C. Ions

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 20

Radio waves are reflected back to Earth by:

  • A. Troposphere
  • B. Mesosphere
  • C. Ionosphere
  • D. Exosphere
Answer: C. Ionosphere

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 21

The uppermost atmospheric layer is:

  • A. Stratosphere
  • B. Mesosphere
  • C. Thermosphere
  • D. Exosphere
Answer: D. Exosphere

Page Reference: Page 66

MCQ 22

Which layer is most important for biological activity?

  • A. Exosphere
  • B. Mesosphere
  • C. Troposphere
  • D. Thermosphere
Answer: C. Troposphere

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 23

Dust particles are highly concentrated in:

  • A. Upper atmosphere only
  • B. Equatorial regions only
  • C. Lower atmosphere
  • D. Exosphere only
Answer: C. Lower atmosphere

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 24

The temperature at mesopause reaches approximately:

  • A. 0°C
  • B. –20°C
  • C. –100°C
  • D. 100°C
Answer: C. –100°C

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 25

The atmosphere gradually merges with outer space in:

  • A. Troposphere
  • B. Thermosphere
  • C. Exosphere
  • D. Mesosphere
Answer: C. Exosphere

Page Reference: Page 66

MCQ 26

Which atmospheric component is highly variable?

  • A. Nitrogen
  • B. Oxygen
  • C. Water vapour
  • D. Argon
Answer: C. Water vapour

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 27

Which atmospheric layer is directly responsible for weather and climate changes?

  • A. Stratosphere
  • B. Troposphere
  • C. Mesosphere
  • D. Exosphere
Answer: B. Troposphere

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 28

Convectional currents are strongest near:

  • A. Poles
  • B. Equator
  • C. Mesosphere
  • D. Exosphere
Answer: B. Equator

Page Reference: Page 65

MCQ 29

Which gas quantity becomes negligible at about 120 km height?

  • A. Nitrogen
  • B. Carbon dioxide
  • C. Oxygen
  • D. Ozone
Answer: C. Oxygen

Page Reference: Page 64

MCQ 30

Which among the following is NOT an element of weather and climate?

  • A. Humidity
  • B. Winds
  • C. Pressure
  • D. Minerals
Answer: D. Minerals

Page Reference: Page 66

One-Word / Very Short Answer Questions

Question Answer Page Reference
What surrounds Earth as a gaseous envelope? Atmosphere Page 64
Which gas is essential for respiration? Oxygen Page 64
Which gas causes greenhouse effect? Carbon dioxide Page 64
Which layer absorbs ultraviolet rays? Ozone layer Page 64
Between which heights is ozone mainly found? 10–50 km Page 64
Which atmospheric component acts like a blanket? Water vapour Page 64
What do dust particles act as for cloud formation? Hygroscopic nuclei Page 65
Which is the lowermost atmospheric layer? Troposphere Page 65
What is the average height of troposphere? 13 km Page 65
Which boundary separates troposphere and stratosphere? Tropopause Page 65
Which atmospheric layer contains ozone layer? Stratosphere Page 65
Which layer lies above stratosphere? Mesosphere Page 65
What is the upper boundary of mesosphere called? Mesopause Page 65
Which layer reflects radio waves? Ionosphere Page 65
Which particles are found in ionosphere? Ions Page 65
Which is the uppermost atmospheric layer? Exosphere Page 66
Which atmospheric layer is most important for weather changes? Troposphere Page 65
Which gas becomes negligible above 120 km? Oxygen Page 64
Which weather element measures moisture in air? Humidity Page 66
Which region has maximum troposphere thickness? Equator Page 65

Assertion and Reason Questions

Question 1

Assertion (A): Atmosphere is essential for survival of organisms.

Reason (R): Atmosphere contains life-supporting gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 2

Assertion (A): Carbon dioxide contributes to greenhouse effect.

Reason (R): Carbon dioxide absorbs terrestrial radiation and reflects part of it back to Earth.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 3

Assertion (A): Ozone layer is important for life on Earth.

Reason (R): Ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 4

Assertion (A): Water vapour acts like a blanket around Earth.

Reason (R): Water vapour preserves Earth’s radiated heat.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 5

Assertion (A): Dust particles help in cloud formation.

Reason (R): Dust particles act as hygroscopic nuclei around which condensation occurs.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 6

Assertion (A): Troposphere is the most important atmospheric layer for human life.

Reason (R): All weather and climate changes occur in troposphere.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 7

Assertion (A): Troposphere is thicker near the equator.

Reason (R): Strong convectional currents transport heat to greater heights near equator.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 8

Assertion (A): Temperature decreases with height in troposphere.

Reason (R): Troposphere receives heat mainly from Earth’s surface.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 9

Assertion (A): Stratosphere contains ozone layer.

Reason (R): Ozone layer protects life by absorbing ultraviolet rays.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 10

Assertion (A): Ionosphere is important for radio communication.

Reason (R): Radio waves are reflected back to Earth by ionosphere.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 11

Assertion (A): Mesosphere is extremely cold.

Reason (R): Temperature decreases with increasing altitude in mesosphere.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 12

Assertion (A): Water vapour amount varies from place to place.

Reason (R): Temperature and moisture conditions vary across regions.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 13

Assertion (A): Oxygen becomes negligible at greater heights.

Reason (R): Atmospheric composition changes with altitude.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 14

Assertion (A): Dust particles are more concentrated in subtropical and temperate regions.

Reason (R): Dry winds are more common in these regions.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 15

Assertion (A): Exosphere gradually merges with outer space.

Reason (R): Atmospheric contents become extremely rarefied at higher altitudes.

Options:

  • A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
  • B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
  • C. A is true but R is false
  • D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 66

Important Exam-Based Concept Questions

Question 1

Explain the meaning and importance of atmosphere.

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 2

Describe the composition of atmosphere.

Page Reference: Page 64–65

Question 3

Explain the importance of carbon dioxide in atmosphere.

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 4

Discuss the causes and effects of greenhouse effect.

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 5

Explain the role of ozone layer in protecting life on Earth.

Page Reference: Page 64–65

Question 6

Describe the distribution and importance of water vapour in atmosphere.

Page Reference: Page 64

Question 7

Explain the significance of dust particles in atmosphere.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 8

Describe the structure of atmosphere with suitable diagram explanation.

Page Reference: Page 65–66

Question 9

Explain the characteristics of troposphere.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 10

Why is troposphere considered the most important atmospheric layer?

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 11

Explain the concept of tropopause.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 12

Discuss the characteristics and importance of stratosphere.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 13

Explain the significance of ozone layer in stratosphere.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 14

Describe the characteristics of mesosphere.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 15

Explain the role of ionosphere in radio communication.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 16

Discuss the characteristics of exosphere.

Page Reference: Page 66

Question 17

Differentiate between troposphere and stratosphere.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 18

Explain why atmospheric density decreases with altitude.

Page Reference: Page 65

Question 19

Discuss the major elements of weather and climate.

Page Reference: Page 66

Question 20

Explain how atmospheric composition supports life on Earth.

Page Reference: Page 64–66

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