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masobloxx science
| term and definition. |
|---|
| Troposphere — Closest to Earth; where weather happens (clouds, rain); airplanes fly in lower part. |
| Stratosphere — Contains the ozone layer; commercial jets sometimes cruise near its lower region; |
| Mesosphere — Meteors burn up here; temperatures decrease with altitude. |
| Thermosphere— Auroras occur; very thin air; temperature increases with altitude; satellites begin to orbit in upper parts |
| Exosphere — Outermost layer; very sparse gas; satellites orbit here. |
| Evaporation — Liquid water becomes water vapor. This process absorbs energy (heat from the Sun). |
| Transpiration — Water released from plants into the air; also absorbs energy (driven by heat for |
| Condensation — Water vapor cools and forms droplets (clouds). Condensation releases energy into the atmosphere (latent heat). |
| Precipitation — Droplets fall as rain/snow due to gravity — this is driven by gravity. |
| Surface runoff and infiltration/percolation — Water moves across or into the ground; largely driven by gravity. |
| Sublimation — Solid (ice/snow) becomes water vapor, absorbs energy. |
| Condensation requires cooling of water vapor and tiny particles (dust, smoke) called condensation nuclei. Look at forecast clues: high relative humidity (near 100%), fog, clouds, and precipitation indicate condensation is occurring. For example, 100% rel |
| Warm surface currents: Warm the air above them. Tend to make the coastal climate warmer and more humid (can make climates warm and wet or warm and dry depending on local conditions). |
| Cold surface currents: Cool the air above them. Tend to make coastal climates cooler and often drier (can create cooler and dry conditions, sometimes stable air and fog). |
| Barometer (measures air pressure): Falling pressure often means stormy or unsettled weather is approaching. Rising pressure suggests calming/sunnier weather. Example: If pressure falls steadily through the afternoon, forecast likely: stormy or bad weathe |