Weather Flashcards
What is the atmosphere?
The envelope of gas that surrounds the planet
Why is the atmosphere important?
- It keeps Earth’s surface warm enough for water to exist as a liquid
- Protects living things from radiation.
- Prevents Earth from being hit by meteors.
What are the main gasses in our atmosphere?
Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21%, other 1%
What gases are found in our atmosphere in trace amounts?
Argon, Helium, Neon, Krypton
Compounds in the atmosphere
Water Vapor H2O
Carbon Dioxide CO2
Methane CH4
Sulfur Dioxide SO2
How would life on Earth be different without an atmosphere?
Life could not exist.
Exosphere
Has no definite limit, blends into outer space. Furthest layer from the Earth.
Unnamed aircraft and satellites are found here
Exo = “outer”
Thermosphere
Second furthest layer from Earth. Contains most of the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves. Creates Aurora borealis. Air is thin but HOT!
Home of the international space station
Therm = “hot”
Mesosphere
Protects the Earth’s surface from getting hit by meteors
Meso = “middle”
Stratosphere
Contains the ozone layer which protects living things from dangerous UV rays. Ozone heats up as it absorbs molecules, this causes the temperature to rise.
Strato = “spread out”
Troposphere
This is where weather occurs. As the altitude increases the temperature decreases. (think snow capped mountains)
Tropo = “changing”
Two layers of the atmosphere where the temperature decreases as the altitude increases:
Troposphere and mesosphere
Two layers of the atmosphere where temperature increases as the altitude increases:
Stratosphere and Thermosphere
Weather
Current state of the atmosphere, affected by temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction. Can change minute to minute.
Climate
The average weather in a specific area over a long period of time. Affected by latitude, elevation, topography, distance from water, global winds and ocean currents.
One of the main causes of weather
Unequal heating of the Earth, some areas receive more energy from the sun than others. Particles always move from hot to cold.
Evaporate
water heats up and becomes less dense, changing from a liquid to gas
Condense
water cools down and becomes more dense, changing from a gas to a liquid
What is the name of the current that flows south along the west coast of the USA?
the cold California Current moves south along the west coast of the United States
Which current keeps the winter temperatures in Florida milder than in other parts of the southeastern US?
The Gulf Stream
Which direction do most of currents in the northern hemisphere move?
Clockwise
Anemometer
tool that measures the speed of the wind
Wind Sock
tool used to measure wind speed and direction
Wind Vane
Device that indicates the direction of the wind
How is low pressure created
Hot/warm, rising air
How is high pressure created
cool, sinking air
What causes wind
the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun
Anemometer
