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Chapter 11 Earth Science

Terms in this set (43)

Troposphere
0-17 km above Earth's surface, site of weather, organisms, contains most atmospheric water vapor. (temperature decreases with increasing altitude, pressure decreases)
stratosphere
12 to 50 km, Ozone held here, absorbs UV radiation
Mesosphere
The layer of Earth's atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere, 50-85 km
Thermosphere
The layer of the atmosphere between the mesosphere and exosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases, 85-600 km above Earth
exosphere
The outer layer of the thermosphere, extending outward into space. (above 600 m)
Ionosphere
Layer of electrically charged particles in the thermosphere that absorbs AM radio waves during the day and reflects them back at night.
Radiation
The transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves
conduction
the transfer of thermal energy between objects when their atoms or molecules collide
convection
The transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas
kinetic energy
energy of motion
potential energy
stored energy that results from the position or shape of an object
Fahrenheit
The temperature scale on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees
Celcius
Metric temperature scale on which water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees
kelvin
SI unit for temperature
absolute zero
The coldest temperature, 0 degrees Kelvin. -273 degrees Celcius
air pressure
the pressure exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere above the surface
air density
mass of air molecules found within a fixed volume of air
temperature inversion
occurs in the troposphere when temperature increases as altitude increases
humidity
amount of water vapor in the atmosphere at a given location on Earth's surface
saturation
when the amount of water vapor in a volume of air has reached the maximum amount
relative humidity
the amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature.
dew point
the temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure to reach saturation
latent heat
the extra thermal energy contained in water vapor compared to liquid water
condensation level
the atmospheric level at which condensation occurs
condensation nucleus
a small particle in the atmosphere around which water droplets can form
orographic lifting
occurs when an air mass is forced to rise over a topographic barrier
cumulus clouds
puffy clouds with a flat base bottom, that usually occur below 2000 m
stratus clouds
a cloud layer that can cover much or all of the sky. Below 2000 m. Can form when fog lifts
cumulonimbus clouds
Large clouds that often produce thunderstorms are called this. Can produce hail and tornadoes.
nimbostratus clouds
continuous cloud layer that is dark and is seen on days of constant rain or snow
stratocumulus clouds
Quite large fluffy clouds
Altostratus clouds
a thick gray layer of middle level clouds, form before rainstorms
altocumulus clouds
...Middle level clouds that are white or gray in color and form large, round masses or wavy rows of clouds
cirrocumulus clouds
fluffier, high white clouds. Look like small round puffs in the sky.
cirrostratus clouds
thin sheets of high level clouds. Cover large parts of the sky.
cirrus clouds
Are thin wispy and form high in the sky. Fair weather days
precipitation
rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.
coalescence
occurs when cloud droplets collide and join together to form a larger droplet
water cycle
The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back
transpiration
Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant
condensation
The change of state from a gas to a liquid
evaporation
The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas
runoff
Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers
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