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ES Chapter 11
Earth Science Chapter 11 Vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Troposphere | Layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface, where most of the mass of the atmosphere is found and in which most weather takes place and air pollution collects. |
Stratosphere | Layer of Earth's atmosphere that is located above the troposphere and is made up primarily of concentrated ozone. |
Mesosphere | Layer of Earth's atmosphere above the stratosphere. |
Thermosphere | The layer between about 100 km and 500 km above Earth's surface. |
Exosphere | The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. |
Radiation | The transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves. |
Conduction | Occurs when two objects at different temperatures are in contact. |
Convection | The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of heated material from one place to another. |
Temperature Inversion | An increase in temperature with height in an atmospheric layer. |
Humidity | The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere at a given location on Earth's surface. |
Saturation | Occurs when the amount of water vapor in a volume of air has reached the maximum amount. |
Relative Humidity | The amount of water vapor in a volume of air relative to the amount of water vapor needed for that volume of air to reach saturation. |
Dew Point | The temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure to reach saturation. |
Latent Heat | The extra thermal energy contained in water vapor compared to liquid water. |
Condensation Nucleus | A small particle in the atmosphere around which water droplets can form. |
Orographic Lifting | Occurs when an air mass is forced to rise over a topographic barrier. |
Cumulus | Puffy, lump-looking clouds that usually occur below 2000 m. |
Stratus | A layered sheetlike cloud that covers much or all of the sky in a given area. |
Cirrus | Have wispy, indistinct appearance. |
Precipitation | All forms of water that fall from clouds to the ground. |
Coalescence | Occurs when cloud droplets collide and join together to form a larger droplet. |