| Question |
 |
|
| Answer |
|
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| atmosphere |
a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet |
| ozone |
a gas molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms |
| atmospheric pressure |
the force per unit area that is exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere |
| troposphere |
the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs |
| stratosphere |
this layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer |
| mesosphere |
coldest layer of the atmosphere |
| thermosphere |
this layer includes the ionosphere |
| electromagnetic spectrum |
all the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation |
| albedo |
the fraction of solar radiation that is reflected off the surface of an object |
| greenhouse effect |
the warming of the lower atmosphere when gases absorb and reradiate infrared radiation |
| conduction |
the transfer of energy as heat through a material |
| convection |
the movement of matter due to differences in density, caused by temperature variations |
| radiation |
energy that is transferred by electromagnetic energy |
| Coriolis effect |
the curving path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to the Earth's rotation |
| trade winds |
prevailing winds that blow from east to west from 0 to 30 deg latitude |
| polar easterlies |
prevailing winds that blow east to west between 60 & 90 deg latitude |
| westerlies |
prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 to 60 deg latitudes |
| jet stream |
a narrow band of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere |
| water vapor |
water in the form of an invisible gas |
| ozone layer |
layer of gas in the stratosphere that absorbs ultraviolet radiation |
| particulates |
tiny, solid particles |
| barometer |
instrument used to measure air pressure |
| mercurial |
containing mercury |
| aneroid |
without liquid |
| altimeter |
an aneroid barometer used to measure altitude |
| ionosphere |
an electrified region of the upper atmosphere where fairly large concentrations of ions and free electrons exist |
| auroras |
an atmospheric phenomenon consisting of bands of light caused by charged solar particles |
| exosphere |
the outermost atmospheric layer |
| scattering |
the process by which small particles in the atmosphere deflect radiation from its path into different directions |
| reflect |
light is bouncing back from a surface |
| absorb |
to transform radiant energy into heat |
| doldrums |
a narrow zone near the equator with weak and variable winds |
| horse latitudes |
a sub-tropical high-pressure zone where winds are weak and variable |
| local winds |
winds that blow distances less than 100 km, caused by local temperature variations |
Ch.18 LTI-MA 509
