Weather Test Flashcards

Atmosphere

The mixture of gasses that surrounds the Earth.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, where most weather occurs.

Stratosphere

The second-lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere; the ozone layer is located in the upper part of this layer.

Mesosphere

The middle layer of the Earth’s atmosphere; the coldest layer in which most meteoroids burn up.

Thermosphere

The outermost layer of the atmosphere; the air is extremely thin and very hot.

Ozone Layer

The layer of the atmosphere that contains a higher concentration of ozone than the rest of the atmosphere, blocking harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Altitude

Elevation above sea level.

Weather

The condition of the Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Air Pressure

A force that results from the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area.

Nitrogen

This gas makes up about three fourths of the air.

Radiation

The direct transfer of energy through open space by electromagnetic waves.

Solar energy

Energy that travels to Earth’s atmosphere from the sun in electromagnetic waves, including ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation.

Ultraviolet Radiation

A type of electromagnetic radiation; energy from the sun that can cause damage to living tissue.

Absorption

Thermal energy from the Sun that is retained by Earth’s land surfaces and atmosphere.

Reflection

The bouncing back of light rays from a surface.

Earth’s energy budget

Accounts for the balance between energy Earth receives from the sun and energy Earth radiates back into outer space.

Greenhouse effect

The natural process of Earth’s atmosphere trapping heat near Earth’s surface.

Air Density

Air becomes denser as it cools and less dense as it warms.

Air Mass

A large area of air that has a similar temperature and humidity.

Weather Fronts

Boundaries separating different air masses that influence weather conditions.

Cold front

Occurs when dense, cold air moves into and wedges under warmer air.

Warm front

Forms when lighter, warmer air moves over heavier, colder air.

Convection currents

Processes that occur when warm, less dense air rises and cooler, denser air falls.

Thunderstorms

Severe weather events that can result in cumulonimbus clouds, rain and hail, and thunder and lightning.

Tornadoes

Destructive weather phenomena that often form in low, heavy cumulonimbus clouds.

Hurricanes

Intense storms that develop over warm tropical waters, usually decreasing in strength over land.