Chapter 11 Earth's Atmosphere Flashcards
Water in its gaseous form.
Water vapor
The atmospheric layer closest to Earth’s surface is called the…
troposphere
The atmospheric layer directly above the troposphere is the …
stratosphere
The area of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone is referred to as the…
ozone layer
What is a region within the mesosphere and thermosphere that contains ions?
ionosphere
What is the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves?
radiation
What is the transfer of thermal energy by collisions between particles of matter?
conduction
The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles within matter is called…
convection
What describes whether circulating air motions will be strong or weak?
stability
What occurs in the troposphere when temperature increases as altitude increases?
temperature inversion
What is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure?
wind
What are steady winds that flow from East to West between 30 degrees North latitude and 30 degrees South latitude?
trade winds
What are steady winds that flow from West to East between latitudes 30 degrees north and 60 degrees north, and 30 degrees south and 60 degrees south?
The Prevailing Westerlies
What are cold winds that blow from the east to the west near the north pole and the south pole?
Polar Easterlies
What is near the top of the troposphere and is a narrow band of high winds called?
Jet Stream
What is the wind that blows from the sea to the land due to local temperature and pressure differences called?
sea breeze
What is the wind that blows from the land to the sea due to local temperature and pressure differences called?
land breeze
The contamination of air by harmful substances including gases and smoke is called what?
air pollution
When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with moisture in the atmosphere and form precipitation that has a pH lower than that of normal rainwater is called what?
acid precipitation
What is air pollution that forms from the interaction between chemicals in the air and sunlight called?
photochemical smog
What is a mixture of dust, acids, and other chemicals that can be hazardous to human health called?
particulate matter
Radio waves travel long distances by bouncing off electrically charged particles in the ______.
XXX
The sun’s thermal energy is transferred to Earth through space by _____.
XXX
Rising currents of warm air transfer energy from Earth to the atmosphere through _____.
XXX
A narrow band of winds located near the top of the troposphere is a(n) _____.
XXX
_____ are steady winds that flow from east to west between 30 degrees N latitude and 30 degrees S latitude.
XXX
In large urban areas, _____ forms when pollutants in the air interact with sunlight.
XXX
A mixture of dust, acids,and other chemicals that can be hazardous to human health are called _____.
XXX
Air pressure is greatest A at a mountain base. B on a mountain top C in the stratosphere D in the ionosphere.
XXX
In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found? A troposphere B stratosphere C mesosphere D thermosphere
XXX
The Sun’s energy
A is completely absorbed by the atmosphere.
B is completely reflected by the atmosphere.
C is in the form of latent heat
D is transferred to the atmosphere after warming the Earth
XXX
Which type of energy is emitted from Earth to the atmosphere? A ultraviolet radiation B visible radiation C infrared radiation D aurora borealis
XXX
Which is a narrow band of high winds located near the top of the troposphere? A polar easterly B a jet stream C a sea breeze D a trade wind
XXX
Which helps protect people, animals, plants, and buildings from the harmful effects of air pollution? A primary pollutants B secondary pollutants C ozone layer D air quality standards
XXX
A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth.
Atmosphere
