Term | Definition |
Ozone | gas formed by a third oxygen atom to oxygen molecule exists in layer in the atmosphere and absorbs ultraviolet radiation from sun the major chemical is smog |
Troposphere | layer of atmosphere closest to Earth's surface where most of mass of atmosphere is found,this layer also is where most weather takes placed and air pollution collects |
Stratosphere | layer of Earth's atmosphere that's located above tropopause it's made up primarily of concentrated ozone |
Mesosphere | layer o Earth's atmosphere above stratosphere |
Thermosphere | layer of Earth's atmosphere that' s located above mesopause and contains only minute portion of atmosphere's mass |
Exosphere | Outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere that's located above thermosphere and contains light gases like helium and hydrogen |
Radiation | energy transfer through space by visible light,ultraviolet radiation and other electromagnetic waves |
Conduction | energy transfer that occurs when molecules collide this takes place ONLY when substances are in contact with each other |
Convection | transfer of energy by flow of heated substance |
Temperature | measurement of speed of the molecules |
Heat | energy transfer that occurs because of difference in the temperature between substances and flows from object of higher temperature to object of low temperature |
Dew Point | temperature which air is cooled at constant pressure to reach saturation at which some point condensation can happen |
Condensation | process by which cooling gas changes into liquid and releases thermal energy it changes matter from gas to liquid |
Lifted Condensation Level | height at which condensation occurs it often corresponds with base of clouds |
Temperature Inversion | increase in temperature with height in atmospheric level which inverts temperature-altitude relationship this can worsen air pollution problems |
Humidity | amount of water vapor in air |
Relative Humidity | ratio of water vapor contained in specific volume of air compared with how much water vapor that amount of air actually can hold |
Condensation Nuclei | small particles in atmosphere around which cloud droplets can form |
Orographic Lifting | cloud formation that occurs when warm moist air is forced to rise up side of mountain |
Stability | ability of air mass to resist rising |
Latent Heat | stored energy in water vapor that's not released to warm atmosphere until condensation takes place |
Coalescence | process that occurs when cloud droplets collide and form larger droplets which eventually become too heavy to remain aloft and can fall to Earth as rain |
Precipation | all solid and liquid forms of water that falls from clouds like rain,snow,sleet, hail |
Water Cycle | continual movement of water between Earth's surface and atmosphere through evaporation,condensation,precipation |
Evaporation | vaporization is a change of stat involving thermal energy
evaporation is a process by which water changes from liquid to gas |