Ch.17- The Atmosphere: Structure and Temperature
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Created by:
farinada on November 19, 2010
Classes:
MTWP Oceanography & Meteorology
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19 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 ozone | A molecule of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms. |
| troposphere | The lowermost layer of the atmosphere; it is generally characterized by a decrease in temperature with height. |
| stratosphere | The layer of the atmosphere immediately above the troposphere, characterized by increasing temperatures with height, due to the concentration of ozone. |
| mesosphere | The layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere and characterized by decreasing temperatures with height. |
| thermosphere | The region of the atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere and characterized by increasing temperatures with height due to absorption of very short-wave solar energy by oxygen. |
| summer solstice | The solstice that occurs on June 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| winter solstice | The solstice that occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| autumnal equinox | The equinox that occurs on September 22 or 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere |
| vernal equinox | The equinox that occurs on March 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on September 22 or 23 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| heat | Thermal energy transferred from one object to another. |
| temperature | A measure of the average kinetic energy of individual atoms or molecules in a substance. |
| conduction | The transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity; Energy is transferred through collisions from one molecule to another. |
| convection | The transfer of heat by the movement of a mass or substance; It can take place only in fluids. |
| radiation | The transfer of energy through space by electromagnetic waves. |
| reflection | The process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity. |
| scattering | The redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere; The result is more light rays with weaker intensity. |
| greenhouse effect | The heating of Earth's surface and atmosphere from solar radiation being absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere, mainly by water vapor and carbon dioxide. |
| albedo | The fraction of the total radiation that is reflected back by a surface. |
| isotherm | A line connecting points of equal temperature. |
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