Term | Definition |
atmosphere | the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth |
ozone | a form of oxygen that has 3 oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual 2 it is a toxic form of oxygen |
air pollution | a change to the atmosphere that has harmful effects |
emissions | solid particles and gases released into the air from a smokestack or motor vehicle |
photochemical smog | a brownish haze that is a mixture of ozone and other chemical formed when nitrogen oxide , hydrocarbons , and other pollutants react with one another. |
tempreture inversion | the condition in witch a layer of warm air traps polluted air close to the earths surface |
acid rain | rain that is more acidic than normal caused by the release of molecules of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the air |
cloroflourocarbons | chlorine compounds formerly used in air conditioners and refridgerators,and spray cans; also called CFCs |
greenhouse effect | the process by which heat is trapped in the atmosphere by water vapor , carbon dioxide, methane , and other gases that form a blanket around the Earth |
greenhouse gases | gases in the atmosphere that trap heat |
global warming | a gradual increse in the tempreture of the earths atmosphere |
altitude | elevation above sea level |
troposphere | the lowest layer of the earths atmosphere, where weather occurs |
stratosphere | the second lowest layer of the earths atmosphere the ozone layer is located in the upper stratosphere |
mesosphere | the middle layer of the earths atmosphere the layer where most metoriods burn up |
thermosphere | the outer most layer of the earths atmosphere |
ionosphere | the lower part of the thermosphere where electrically charged particles called ions are found |
aurora borealis | a colorful , glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere also called the northern lights |
exosphere | the outer layer of the thermosphere extending outward into space |