Layers of the Atmosphere Flashcards
1
Q
What is the atmosphere?
A
The layers of gases that surround Earth
2
Q
Why is the atmosphere helpful?
A
- Allows us to breathe
- Holds in heat
- Protects us from harmful solar radiation, solar winds, meteros
3
Q
What is the composition of air?
A
- Nitrogen = 78%
- Oxygen = 21%
- Other gases = 1%
4
Q
What determines the layers of the atmosphere?
A
Tempeture
5
Q
What is the troposphere?
A
- Contains all of the weather
- The sphere we live in - Dominated by convection cells and atmospheric pressure
6
Q
What is air pressure?
A
Weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the surface
7
Q
Why are there different pressures?
A
Different pressures are because of rising and falling air
8
Q
What causes low pressure?
A
- Rising air
- Lower density
9
Q
What causes high pressure?
A
- Sinking air
- High density
10
Q
What happens when there is high pressure?
A
- Sinking air (more dense)
- Clouds cannot form
11
Q
What happens when there is low pressure?
A
- Rising air (less dense)
- Clouds can form
12
Q
What 3 factors affect air pressure?
A
- Elevation
- Temperature
- Humidity
13
Q
What does elevation do to affect air pressure?
A
- The higher we go, the thinner the air gets
- Less air to assert weight
14
Q
What does temperature do to affect air pressure?
A
- At the surface, high temperatures cause low pressure
15
Q
What does humidity do to affect air pressure?
A
- Water vapor in the air can either increase or decrease air pressure
