Meteorology Terms Chapter 17

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Ozone
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Terms in this set (19)
Ozone
A form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms into each molecule. (O3)
Image: Ozone
Troposphere
The bottom layer of the atmosphere where the temperature decreases with an increase in altitude.
Image: Troposphere
Stratosphere
Beyond the tropopause, temperature remains constant to a height of 20 km .
Atmospheres ozone is concentrated here.
Image: Stratosphere
Mesosphere
The third layer after the stratopause, temperature decreases again until the mesopause. (With height)
Image: Mesosphere
Thermosphere
The fourth layer extends outward from the mesopause and has no well-defined upper limit. Temperature increases because oxygen and nitrogen absorb short-wave, high-energy solar radiation.
Image: Thermosphere
Summer Solstice
On June 21 or 22 each year the axis is such that the Northern Hemisphere is "leaning" 23.5 degrees toward the sun. The first "official" day of summer.
Image: Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
December 21 or 22 the first day of winter. Earth moved to the opposite side of it's orbit, the Northern Hemisphere leans 23.5 degrees away from the sun.
Image: Winter Solstice
Autumnal Equinox
Occur midway between the Solstices.
September 22 or 23, start or Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
Image: Autumnal Equinox
Spring Equinox
March 21 or 22, start of Spring for the Northern Hemisphere. During this the vertical rays of the sun strike the equator, 0º latitude because Earth is at a position in its orbit such that the axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun.
Image: Spring Equinox
Heat
The energy transferred from one object to another because of a difference in their temperatures.
Image: Heat
TemperatureA measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms or molecules in a substance.ConductionThe transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity.ConvectionThe transfer of heat by mass movement or circulation within a substance.RadiationTravels out in all directions from its source. Can travel through the vacuum of space .ReflectionOccurs when an electromagnetic wave bounces off an object.ScatteringProduces a larger number of weaker rays that travel in different directions.Greenhouse EffectHaving absorbing gasses in our atmosphere that prevent Earth from not being a suitable habitat for most types of living things. Named because like in its name the atmosphere prevents the harmful gasses from mixing with the harmless air.AlbedoThe fraction of total radiation that is reflected by any surface.IsothermLines that connect points that have the same temperature.