Atmosphere and Climate Practice Vocabulary Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers atmospheric layers, gas composition, elements of weather measurement, Indian seasonal patterns/phenomena, and concepts of climate change and environmental impact based on the lecture notes.

Atmosphere

A thick layer of air consisting of a mixture of gases, water vapour, and dust particles that surrounds the Earth and is held close by gravity.

Climate

The average weather conditions of a place recorded over a long period of time.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere (8 km to 18 km) containing nearly $75$ per cent of the atmospheric mass where all weather phenomena occur.

Lapse rate

The average rate at which temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere, measured at $1^{\circ}\text{C}$ for every $165\,\text{m}$.

Stratosphere

The second layer of the atmosphere extending up to $50\,\text{km}$ that contains the ozone layer and is ideal for flying airplanes due to minimal air turbulence.

Ozone layer

A layer located in the stratosphere that protects Earth by absorbing and filtering harmful UltraViolet (UV) rays.

Mesosphere

The atmospheric layer extending up to $80\,\text{km}$ where meteorites burn up due to friction with gaseous particles.

Ionosphere

Also known as the thermosphere, this layer extends to $450\,\text{km}$ and is used for satellite communication and radio transmission.

Exosphere

The outermost layer of the atmosphere that lacks dust and major gases but contains traces of hydrogen and helium before merging with space.

Nitrogen

The largest component of the atmosphere ($78\%$) which is essential for plant growth and reduces the intensity of oxygen.

Oxygen

The second most abundant gas ($21\%$) in the atmosphere, essential for respiration and combustion.

Argon

A chemically inactive gas ($0.93\%$) used in electric bulbs and to protect food or historical documents from oxidation.

Carbon Dioxide

A gas ($0.04\%$) used by plants for photosynthesis and responsible for maintaining global temperature through the greenhouse effect.

Weather

The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time.

Temperature Range

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded over a period, usually $24$ hours.

Atmospheric Pressure

The force exerted by the weight of air above pressing down on the Earth's surface, measured in millibars ($\text{mb}$).

Barometer

The device used to measure atmospheric pressure, which averages about $1013\,\text{mb}$ or $\text{1 ATM}$ at sea level.

Wind

Air in motion that moves from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure.

Anemometer

An instrument used to measure the speed of the wind.

Wind Vane

A tool used to indicate the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Relative Humidity

A scale that describes how much moisture the air is holding compared to the total amount it could hold at that temperature.

Hygrometer

An instrument used to measure humidity levels in various environments.

Rain gauge

A special tool with a wide funnel and a measuring cylinder used by weather scientists to measure the amount of rainfall.

Loo

Strong, hot, and dry summer winds that blow during the day over northern and northwestern India.

Mango showers

Pre-monsoon rainfall in Kerala and Karnataka that helps in the ripening of the mango crop.

Western Disturbances

Low-pressure systems originating over the Mediterranean Sea that cause vital winter rain over the northern Indian plains.

Mahawat

The local name for the meagre but important winter rainfall required for rabi crops in India.

Breaking of the monsoon

The sudden approach of moisture-rich winds accompanied by violent thunder and lightning.

October Heat

A phenomenon characterized by high temperature and humidity during the retreat of the monsoon, making the daytime weather oppressive.

Climate change

Long-term changes in Earth's average temperature and weather patterns primarily caused by human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.

Flash flood

A violent and sudden inundation of land with water, often caused by dam bursts, thunderstorms, or tsunamis.

Drainage basin

The specific area of land that is drained by the waters of a river.

Lag-time

The time interval between the occurrence of heavy rainfall and the peak discharge or flooding of a stream.

Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$), released into the atmosphere due to human activities.

Direct Carbon Footprint

Emissions derived from activities an individual directly controls, such as driving a vehicle or using petrol.

Indirect Carbon Footprint

Emissions produced during the manufacturing and transportation of purchased goods like clothes and electronic items.