IB Environmental Systems: Atmospheric Systems Revision

Atmospheric Systems is a core part of IB Environmental Systems. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

Atmospheric layersTroposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere; temperature inversion at stratopause.

Ozone layerO3 in stratosphere 15-35 km altitude; absorbs UV-B 280-315 nm; thinned by CFCs.

Montreal Protocol1987 international treaty phasing out CFCs and halons; ozone recovery on track by ~2070.

Photochemical smogNOx and VOC + sunlight produce ground-level ozone and PAN; respiratory irritant.

Acid depositionWet/dry fallout of H2SO4 and HNO3 from SO2 and NOx emissions; damages forests and lakes.

Greenhouse gasesCO2, CH4, N2O, H2O, fluorinated gases absorb outgoing longwave; quantified by GWP.

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Is energy recycled within an ecosystem?✗ Yes, energy cycles round endlessly. ✓ No — energy flows through and is lost as heat; nutrients are recycled.

What does biodiversity measure?✗ Only the number of animals. ✓ The variety of all living things and their genes in an area.

Practise Atmospheric Systems — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →

Atmospheric Systems

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Atmospheric Systems — free games

More IB Environmental Systems topics