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Bair, Chapter 1: The Atmosphere

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Question/Vocab. word
Answer
weather   the condition of earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place  
atmosphere   the envelope of gases that surrounds the planet  
ozone   a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule  
water vapor   water in the form of a gas  
density   the amount of mass in a given volume  
pressure   the force pushing on an area or surface  
air pressure   the result of the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area  
barometer   an instrument that is used to measure air pressure  
mercury barometer   a glass tube open at the bottom end and partially filled with mercury; measures air pressure  
aneroid barometer   an airtight metal chamber sensitive to changes in air pressure  
altitude   elevation; distance above sea level; the average of the surface of the oceans  
list three factors affecting air pressure   temperature, altitude, water vapor content  
troposphere   the layer of the atmosphere in which Earth's weather occurs  
What is the rate at which temperature decreases in the troposphere?   drops 6.5 degrees celsius for every kilometer in altitude  
stratosphere   second layer of atmosphere; contains the ozone layer  
Describe the temperature change in the stratosphere   Temperature begins very cold (-60 c) but warms with increasing altitude due to the ozone layer  
mesosphere   middle layer of the atmosphere  
What is a main characteristic of the mesosphere   protects earth's surface from being hit by most meteoroids.  
Define: Thermosphere   outermost layer; has no definate outer limit; thermo- means heat  
Describe the Ionosphere   lower part of the thermosphere; engery from sun causes gas molucules to become electrically charge particles called ions; auroras occur; radio waves bounce here  
Describe the Exosphere   Outer layer of thermosphere;  


   


 

 

 

 

 

 
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