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Atmosphere Vocab
Dowd's Atmosphere Vocabulary
vocabulary words | definitions |
---|---|
atmosphere | thin layer of gases that forms a protective layer around the Earth |
air pressure | force from a column of air pressing down |
troposphere | lowest layer of the atmosphere that contains most of the water and gases and is where weather occurs |
stratosphere | 2nd lowest layer of the atmosphere where the ozone layer is located |
mesosphere | middle layer of the atmosphere where meteroids burn up |
thermosphere | the hottest layer of the atmosphere |
ionosphere | layer of electrically charged particles in the thermosphere that reflects radio waves |
exosphere | outer layer of the atmosphere that fades out into space |
evaporation | process when liquid water changes to water vapor |
precipitation | any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface |
ozone layer | layer of the stratosphere that absorbs harmful radiation from the Sun |
radiation | energy transferred by waves or rays |
conduction | transfer of heat by direct contact |
convection | transfer of heat by movement of a gas or liquid |
hydrosphere | all the water on Earth's surface and atmosphere |
condensation | process when water vapor changes to liquid water |
Coriolis effect | causes moving air and water to curve because of Earth's rotation |
jet stream | area of strong winds near the top of the troposphere |