unit 3 (atmosphere and weather) Flashcards
weather
the atmospheric conditions, along with short-term changes, of a certain place at a certain time
air pressure
the force exerted by the weight and movement of air molecules
humidity
the amount of water vapor in the air
relative humidity
the water vapor present in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air could contain at that temperature
dew point
the temperature at which air is saturated and condensation can occur
high-pressure system
a large body of circulating air with high pressure at its center and lower pressure outside of the system
low-pressure system
a large body of circulating air with low pressure at its center and higher pressure outside of the system
air mass
large bodies of air that have uniform temperature, humidity, and pressure
front
boundary between two air masses
psychrometer
an instrument consisting of two thermometers which is used in the measurement of humidity
wind
the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
sea breeze
wind that blows from the sea to the land due to local temperature and pressure differences; usually occurs during the day
ozone layer
layer of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone; absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation
conduction
the direct transfer of heat from one substance to another substance that it is touching
convection
the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas
radiation
energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles.
greenhouse effect
natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth’s atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases
greenhouse gases
gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone in the atmosphere which are involved in the greenhouse effect.
Goldilocks Principle
Earth is just the right temperature for sustaining the presence of water
ionosphere
the lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found
land breeze
a wind that blows from the land to the sea due to local temperature and pressure differences; usually occurs during the night
mesosphere
The layer of Earth’s atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere
stratosphere
the second-lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
troposphere
the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, where weather occurs
thermosphere
the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
atmosphere
Thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth
how thick is the atmosphere?
~700 km thick
Why is the atmosphere important?
Insulation; contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water for life;
protects from meteors, and protects from sun rays
What is the composition of elements in Earth’s atmosphere?
78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and some other elements that are each less than 1%
exosphere
outermost layer of atmosphere
how was how Earth’s atmosphere formed and changed
was a ball of molten rock and cooled down then gasses were emitted and the atmosphere formed
What is the primary source of energy on Earth?
sunlight
What types of radiation does the atmosphere absorb?
ultraviolet and infared
what absorbs Ultraviolet Light
Oxygen, ozone, and water vapor
what absorbs Infrared Light
Water and carbon from the troposphere
What percentages of the sun’s energy is absorbed and reflected?
70% absorbed (20% in the atmosphere, 50% on Earth’s surface)
30% reflected into space
Which molecules contribute to the Greenhouse Effect?
Water vapor (H20)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
thermal energy
conduction, convection, and radiation
electromagnetic energy
waves on the spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x rays, and gamma rays
