Module 3: The Atmosphere Flashcards
atmosphere
the mass of air surrounding a planet
atmospheric pressure
the pressure exerted by the atmosphere on all objects within it
Barometer
an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure
In general, should atmospheric pressure increase or decrease as altitude increases?
In general, atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude. (Think of atmospheric pressure as the weight of air pressing down on what it touches. As you increase altitude, there is less air above you. As a result, there is less weight pressing down on you.)
The atmospheric pressure is 1.1 atms. Which of the following values for atmospheric pressure would you see in the weather report: 29.9 inches, 32.9 inches, or 28.1 inches?
32.9 inches
homosphere
the lower layer of earth’s, which exists from ground level to roughly 80 km (50 miles) above sea level; it is also divided into three regions, troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere
heterosphere
the upper layer of earth’s atmosphere, which exists higher than 80 km (50 miles) above sea level
troposphere
the region of the atmosphere that extends from ground level to roughly 11 km (7 miles) above sea level
stratosphere
the region of the atmosphere that spans altitudes of 11 km to 48 km (30 miles)
mesosphere
the region of the atmosphere that spans altitudes of 48 km to 80 km (50 miles)
which layer of the atmosphere is often called earth’s “weather layer”?
the troposphere
temperature gradient
a steady change in temperature
jet streams
narrow bands of high-speed winds that circle the earth, blowing from west to east
heat
energy that is being transferred
temperature
a measure of the energy of motion in a substance’s molecules
