Term |
Definition |
Atmospere |
The mixture of gases that surround earth. |
Ozone |
A form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two it is a toxic form of oxygen. |
Air pollution |
A change to the atmosphere that has harmful effects. |
Emissions |
Solid particles and gases released into the air from a smockstack or motor veichle. |
Photochemical smog |
A brownish haze that is a mixture of ozone and other chemicals, formed when nitrogen oxides,hydrocarbons and other pollutants react with one another in the presence of sunlight. |
Temperature inversion |
The condition in which a layer of warm air thats polluted air close to earth's surface. |
Acid rain |
Rain that is more acidic than normal, caused by release of molecules of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the air. |
Chlorofluorocarbons |
Chlorine compounds formerly used in air conditioners,refrigarators and spray cans; also called CFC's. |
Greenhouse effect |
The process by which heat is trapped in the atmosphere by water vapor,carbon dioxide,methane and other gases that form a blsnket around the earth. |
Greenhouse gases |
Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat. |
Global warming |
A gradual increase in the temperature of earth's atmosphere. |
Altitude |
Elavation above sea level. |
Troposphere |
The lowest layer of earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs. |
Stratosphere |
The second-lowest layer of earth's atmosphere; the ozone layer is located in the upper stratosphere. |
Mesosphere |
The middle layer of earth's atmosphere; the layer in which most meteorites burn up. |
Thermosphere |
The outermost layer of earth's atmosphere. |
Ionosphere |
The lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found. |
Aurora borealis |
A colorful,glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere; also called the northern lights. |
Exosphere |
The outer layer of the thermosphere extending outward into space. |