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Atmosphere

Terms in this set (29)

Ozone
A form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two.
Troposphere
0-17 km above Earth's surface, site of weather, organisms, contains most atmospheric water vapor.
Exosphere
The outer layer of the thermosphere, extending outward into space.
Stratosphere
2nd layer of atmosphere; extends from 10 to 30 miles up; location of ozone layer; absorbs 95% of Ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude increase.
Mesosphere
The layer of Earth's atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere
Thermosphere
The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases
Convection
Process by which, in a fluid being heated, the warmer part of the mass will rise and the cooler portions will sink.
Coriolis effect
Causes moving air and water to turn left in the southern hemisphere and turn right in the northern hemisphere due to Earth's hemisphere.
Supercell
a system producing severe thunderstorms and featuring rotating winds sustained by a prolonged updraft that may result in hail or tornadoes
Fujita scale
A scale that tells how severe a tornado is based on wind speed and the damage being caused.
Tropical Cyclone
an intense wind and rain storm that forms over oceans in the tropics
Saffir-Simpson scale
Classifies hurricanes according to wind speed, air pressure in the center, and potential for property damage.
Eye wall
the area immediately outside the eye of a hurricane or cyclone, associated with tall clouds, heavy rainfall, and high winds.
Storm surge
a local rise in sea level near the shore that is caused by strong winds from a storm, such as those from a hurricane
Trade winds
Prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 degrees north latitude to the equator and that blow southeast from 30 degrees south latitude to the equator
Prevailing westerlies
winds that blow west to east between 30 and 60 degrees in the northern and southern hemispheres
Polar easterlies
Prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60degrees-90degrees latitude in both hemisphere.
Jet stream
a high-speed high-altitude airstream blowing from west to east near the top of the troposphere
Front
The boundary where unlike air masses meet but do not mix
High pressure
A mass of sinking cool air that usually bring fair weather.
Low pressure
A mass of rising warm air that usually bring wet, stormy weather.
Isobar
A line on a weather map that joins places that have the same air pressure
Smog
air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
Acid precipitation
precipitation, such as rain, sleet, or snow, that contains a high concentration of acids, often because of the pollution of the atmosphere
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)
Any of several simple gaseous compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen; used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents, and aerosol propellants and in the manufacture of plastic foams; believed to be a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion
Radiation
Energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles.
Air Mass
A huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure at any given height
Tornado
A rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped cloud that reaches down to touch Earth's surface.
Hurricane Eye
Center of the storm, with the lowest pressure of about 50 mb. Has sinking air and relatively clear skies. Low winds and no precipitation.
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