Science Final - Weather and Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the atmosphere?
the envelope of gases that surround the earth
what are the two most abundant gases in the atmosphere?
nitrogen and oxygen
why is the earths atmosphere important to all living things on earth?
it provides the gases that all living organisms need to survive
what happens to air pressure as you go up in the atmosphere?
it decreases
layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in what?
temperature
list the layers in order form earth to space
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere,
what is the lowest and shallowest layer of the atmosphere?
troposphere
in which layer does our weather occur?
troposphere
in which layer is the ozone layer found?
stratosphere
the ozone protects all living things on earth from what?
the suns ultraviolet rays
what is the layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere?
mesosphere
which layer protects earth from being hit by meteoroids?
mesosphere
what is the first layer of the atmosphere that an astronaut travels through during reentry from space?
exosphere
winds are caused by differences in what?
air pressure
what large clouds often produce thunderstorms?
cumulonimbus
what are very high, feathery clouds called?
cirrus
layered clouds that often cover much of the sky and are a dull gray color are called what?
stratus
what is precipitation?
any form of water that falls to the earth from clouds
cold, dry air that effects the northern United States in winter often come for what type of air masses?
continental polar