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Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment
All textbooksBrown 15th EditionCh.18 - Chemistry of the EnvironmentProblem 3d
Chapter 18, Problem 3d

The figure shows the three lowest regions of Earth's atmo- sphere.
Diagram showing Earth's atmosphere layers A, B, and C, relevant to aurora borealis at 55-95 km.
(d) An aurora borealis is due to excitation of atoms and molecules in the atmosphere 55–95 km above Earth's surface. Which regions in the figure are involved in an aurora borealis?

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1
Identify the altitude range where aurora borealis occurs, which is 55-95 km above Earth's surface.
Examine the diagram to determine which regions correspond to this altitude range.
Note that the regions are labeled A, B, and C from the ground upwards.
Determine the altitude range each region covers based on their position in the diagram.
Conclude which regions (A, B, or C) fall within the 55-95 km range and are involved in the aurora borealis.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atmospheric Layers

Earth's atmosphere is divided into several layers, each characterized by distinct temperature gradients and composition. The troposphere is closest to the surface, followed by the stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. The aurora borealis occurs in the thermosphere, typically between 55 and 95 km above the Earth's surface, where charged particles from the sun interact with atmospheric gases.
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Auroras

Auroras, including the aurora borealis, are natural light displays predominantly seen in high-latitude regions. They are caused by the excitation of atoms and molecules in the atmosphere when charged particles from solar wind collide with them. This interaction results in the emission of light, creating the beautiful colors associated with auroras, primarily in the thermosphere.

Excitation of Atoms and Molecules

Excitation refers to the process where atoms or molecules absorb energy and move to a higher energy state. In the context of auroras, when energetic particles collide with atmospheric gases, they transfer energy, exciting the atoms and molecules. As these excited particles return to their ground state, they release energy in the form of light, contributing to the visual phenomenon of the aurora borealis.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

At 273 K and 1 atm pressure, 1 mol of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 L. (Section 10.4) (b) Looking at Figure 18.1, we see that the temperature is lower at 85 km altitude than at 50 km. Does this mean that one mole of an ideal gas would occupy less volume at 85 km than at 50 km? Explain.

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Textbook Question

At 273 K and 1 atm pressure, 1 mol of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 L. (Section 10.4) (c) In which parts of the atmosphere would you expect gases to behave most ideally (ignoring any photochemical reactions)? [Section 18.1]

Textbook Question

Where does the energy come from to evaporate the esti- mated 425,000 km3 of water that annually leaves the oceans, as illustrated here? [Section 18.3]

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