Atmosphere
Order by
27 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 weather | condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place |
| atmosphere | envelope of gases that surrounds the planet |
| ozone | is a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two |
| water vapor | water in the form of gas and is invisible |
| earth's atmosphere | is made up of nitrogen, oxygen,carbon dioxide, water vapor, and many ofher gases, as well as particles of liquids and solids. |
| density | the amount of mass in a given volume of air |
| pressure | the force pushing on an area or surface |
| air pressure | the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area |
| mercury barometer | glass tube open at the bottom end and partically filled with mercury-USED TO MEASURE AIR PRESSURE |
| aneroid barometer | a barometer without liquid-USED TO MEASURE AIR PRESSURE |
| altitude(elevation) | is the distance above sea level, the average level of the surface of the oceans |
| troposphere | inner or lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere-where the earth's weather occurs |
| stratosphere | second layer of the atmosphere and contains the ozone layer |
| mesosphere | layer of the atmosphere that protects the Earth's surface from being hit by meteoroids. |
| meteoroids | chunks of stone and metal from space |
| thermosphere | outermost layer of the Earth-it has no outer limits, but lends gradually with outer space |
| ionosphere | Ions in this layer reflect RADIO waves back to Earth. The aurora borealis(Northern Lights) occurs in this layer. |
| exosphere | outer portion of the thermosphere-satellites orbit Earth in this layer |
| pollutants | harmful substance in the air, water, or soil |
| photochemical smog | formed by the action of sunlight on pollutants such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. |
| acid rain | rain that contains more than normal amounts of acid...forms when nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides combine with water in the air to form nitric acid and sulfuric acid |
| Enviromental Protection Agency(EPA) | monitors air pollutants in the United States |
| nitrogen | most abundant gas in the atmosphere(makes up 3/4 of the air we breath) |
| scientist divide the earth's atmosphere into four layers according to changes in what? | temperature |
| most air pollution is caused by? | the burning of fossil fuels |
| What human activity is responsible for the formation of smog and acid rain? | the burning of fossil fuels |
| How and why has the air quality changed in the US over the last 30 years? | the federal and state governments have passed a number of laws and regulations to help reduce air pollution. |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.
Set Champions
Scatter Champion
46.0 secs by TroyThomason
Space Race Champion
420 points by TroyThomason