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Science Chap. 15
Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Atmosphere | a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon |
Stratosphere | the layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases |
Troposphere | the lower layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature decreases at a constant rate as altitude increases |
Thermosphere | the uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases |
Air pressure | the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface |
Radiation | the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves |
Convection | the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas |
Global warming | a gradual increase in average global temperature |
Greenhouse effect | the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of earth that occurs when water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb and reradiate thermal energy |
Wind | the movement of wind caused by the differences in air pressure |
Coriolis effect | the apparent curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to the Earth’s rotation |
Westerlies | prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres |
Trade winds | prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 degrees north latitude to he equator and that blow southeast from 30 degrees south latitude to the equator |
Polar easterlies | prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres |
Jet stream | a narrow belt of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere |
Air pollution | the contamination of the atmosphere by introduction of pollutants from humans natural resources |
Acid precipitation | rain, sleet, or snow that contains a high concentration of acids |