Term |
Definition |
Atmosphere |
A mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon. |
Air Pressure |
The measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface. |
Troposphere |
The lowest layer of the atmosphere in which temperature decreases at a constant rate as altitude increases. |
Stratosphere |
The layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases. |
Mesosphere |
The layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere and in which temperature decreases as altitude increases. |
Thermosphere |
The uppermost layer of the atmosphere in which temperature increases as altitude increases. |
Ions |
Electrically charged particles. |
Ionosphere |
As thermosphere temp rises gas particles become charged (ions). This part of the Thermosphere is the ionosphere. |
Auroras |
In polar regions, these ions radiate energy as shimmering light. |
Radiation |
Is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves. |
Thermal Conduction |
Is the transfer of energy as heat through a material. |
Convection |
Is the movement of matter due to the differences in density; transfer of energy due to the movement of matter. |
Convection Currents |
Is the cycle of warm air rising and cool air sinking causing circular movements of air. |
Global Warming |
Is a gradual increase in average global temperature. |
Green House Effect |
Is the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when water vapor , carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb and reradiate thermal energy. |
Ozone or Ozone Layer |
Protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation. |
Radiation Balance |
The balance between incoming energy and outgoing energy. The amount of energy received from the sun and amount of energy returned to space must be approximately the same. |
Wind |
The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure. |
Convection Cells |
Air travels in many large, circular patterns. |
Pressure Belts |
Bands of high pressure and low pressure found about every 30 degrees of latitude. |
Coriolis Effect |
The apparent curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to the Earth's rotation. |
Global winds |
The combination of convection cells found at every 30 degrees latitude and the Coriolis effect produces patterns of air circulation called this. |
Polar Easterlies |
Prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres |
Westerlies |
Prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres |
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. |
Doldrums |
The trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres that meet in an area around the equator. |
Horse Latitudes |
At about 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitudes sinking air creates an area of high pressure. Winds in this area are weak. |
Jet Stream |
A narrow belt of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere. |
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