Atmosphere Flashcards
Made up of three oxygen molecules and protects us from the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
Ozone
Upper limit of the atmosphere where the atoms and molecules blend into space.
Exosphere
The layer of the atmosphere just above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It is the coldest part of the atmosphere and meteors burn up in this layer.
Mesosphere
The layer of the atmosphere just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. There is a temperature inversion due to the ozone layer which absorbs most of the sun’s UV radiation.
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are the highest in the atmosphere. The increasing temperature is due to the strong influence of solar activity.
Ionosphere
The layer of the atmosphere that is nearest to the Earth’s surface. It is where most weather changes occur. It is the thinnest layer yet contains half of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Troposphere
The envelope of gases surrounding the earth.
Atmosphere
A colorless, odorless unreactive gas that forms about 78 percent of the earth’s atmosphere.
Nitrogen
Forms about 21 percent of the earth’s atmosphere, and is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust.
Oxygen
A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide
The phenomenon whereby the earth’s atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane.
Greenhouse effect
Water in the form of a gas.
Water vapor
Air has pressure becuase it has _____.
Mass
Instruments used to measure air pressure.
Barometers
The layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in this.
Temperature
Caused by plants and factories burning fossil fuels.
Acid rain
One major source for SMOG.
Motor vehicles
Heat transfer between two substances that are in contact (also how the earth’s crust/ocean is warmed).
Conduction
Heat from the sun reaches you by this method.
Radiation
Air is comprised of ____ Nitrogen and ____ Oxygen. ____ other gases make up the other 1% of air.
78%
21%
Seven
Considered a greenhouse gas.
Carbon dioxide
Transfer of energy from higher temperature objects to lower temperature objects.
Heat
The process whereby heat moves from one body or substance to another by radiation, conduction, convection, or a combination of these methods.
Heat transfer
Heat transfer by direct contact/TOUCH.
Conduction
Heat transfer through air and water; warm goes up because it is less dense due to particles moving faster and spreading apart, and cold goes down because the particles slow down and move closer together making them more dense.
Convection
The transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves through space, sun, and fire.
Radiation
How the inside of a greenhouse works.
Convection
The force of air molecules pushing on an area.
Air pressure
The horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of lower air pressure.
Wind
Winds that travel long distances in steady, predictable patterns.
Global winds
More dense, sinking air creates this at Earth’s surface.
High air pressure
Rising air creates this at Earth’s surface.
Low air pressure
The effect of Earth’s rotation on the direction of winds and currents.
Coriolis Effect
What causes warm and cool air masses to form, leading to wind.
Unequal heating of Earth’s surface
Winds that blow over short distances caused by unequal heating of Earth’s surface within a small area.
Local winds
Colder air is more ____ than warmer air.
Dense
When warm air rises and cooler air sinks and takes its place, it is called this.
Convection
Wind always blows from ____ pressure to ____ pressure.
High to low pressure
The definition of wind.
Horizontal movement of air
Which is NOT a characteristic of Local Winds?
They occur over a large areas in predictable patterns
