Chapter 15 sections 1-4 Flashcards
The most common atmospheric gas is
nitrogen
phytoplankton and plants produce atmospheres
oxygen
most water in the atmosphere is in
water vapor
at sea level a square inch of surface area is under almost how many pounds of pressure
15
gas molecules in the atmosphere are pulled toward the earth by
gravity
The measure of the force with which air molecules push on the surface is called
Air pressure
explain what happens to air pressure as you move away from the earth surface
there are fewer gas molecules
explain why parts of the atmosphere are warmer than others
there a different chemicals in different atmospheres
The coldest layer of the atmosphere
mesosphere
atmosphere layer including the ozone layer
stratosphere
layer of atmosphere closest to earth
troposphere
uppermost layer of the atmosphere
thermosphere
electrically charged particles are
ions
in polar regions ions radiate energy is shimmering lights called
Auroras
explain what from what process produces the greenhouse effect
atmospheric gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide absorbed thermal energy and radiate it back to earth the gas is function like the glass walls and roof of a greenhouse allowing solar energy to enter and preventing thermal energy from escaping
The balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing energy radiated into space is called
radiation balance
The gradual increase in average global temperature is called
Global warning
what are greenhouse gases
greenhouse gases are gases that absorb thermal energy in the atmosphere
what human activities may increase the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation
what causes differences in air pressure
unequal heating of the earth
The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure is called
Wind
Air is warmer and less dense than surrounding air at the equator because the equator receives more
Solar energy
high pressure areas are created around the poles as cold air
sinks
after high pressure areas are created on the polls cold polar air flows toward
The equator
large circular patterns of air movement are called
convection cells
bands of high-pressure low-pressure found every 30BO of latitude are called
pressure belts
when the paths of winds and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation it’s called the
Coriolis effect
when’s that blow from 30° latitude in both hemispheres almost to the equator
Tradewinds
The area around the equator where tradewinds meet
doldrums
when does formed is called sinking air moves from the post to 60° north and 60° South latitude
polar easterlies
Wind belts that extend between 30BO and 60° latitude in both hemispheres
westerlies
narrow belts of high-speed wins in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are called
jet streams
what is an example of a local wind
Mountain breezes
explain how geographic features can cause local winds
Geographic features such as mountains or shoreline can cause local winds by temperature differences
The contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources is
primary pollutants
examples of primary air pollutants are carbon monoxide smoke and
gas from cars
explain how secondary pollutants are formed
secondary pollutants form from chemical reactions that occur when primary pollutants come in contact with other pollutants
List two examples of secondary pollutants
ozone and smog
what is one reason that goes on your the earths surface is dangerous
ozone can damage the lungs
how is smog formed
smog forms once sunlight reacts with ozone and vehicle exhaust
what is one way local geography plays a part in smog formation in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is almost completely surrounded by mountains that trap pollutants and contribute to smog formation
how much of the human caused air pollution in the United States is caused by cars
60%
List two sources of industrial air pollution
Burning fossil fuels and production of chemicals
what are two ways to reduce indoor air pollution
ventilation limiting the use of chemical solvents and cleaners
acid precipitation contains rain sleet or snow with a high concentration of acids that come from
Air pollution
when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide oxide combined with water in the atmosphere they form
sulfuric acid and nitric acid
when I said precipitation causes the acidity of soil to increase it is called
acidification
A rapid change in the acidity of a body of water is called
acid shock
how long do CFC molecules remain active in the atmosphere
60 to 120 years
what is the main problem caused by the ozone hole
The ozone hole allows more UV radiation to reach the earth surface
what is one reason the ozone hole is dangerous to humans
UV radiation damage genes and causes skin cancer
what are three effects of air pollution on human health
Air pollution can cause chest pains lung cancer and allergies
in the United States the logic of the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to control the amount of air pollution is the
clean air act
what are two method industries use to reduce air pollution
industries may use pollution control devices such as scribers; industrial plants may burn more efficiently so fewer pollutants are released
what are two ways car manufacturers are using to reduce air pollution
car menu facture’s place catalytic converters in cars to reduce pollution from exhaust; they make cars that run on hydrogen or natural gas; they make hybrid cars that use both gasoline and electric Power
what are two ways people can reduce pollution from vehicles
people can carpool, use public transportation, bike or walk
A mixture of gases surrounding a planet is the
atmosphere
