Kinetic Molecular Theory and Earth's Atmosphere

Kinetic Molecular Theory

Matter consists of tiny particles in constant motion.

Solid

Particles vibrate slowly without changing position.

Liquid

Particles vibrate and move within a set volume.

Gas

Particles vibrate greatly and occupy all available volume.

Temperature

Average kinetic energy of all particles measured.

Thermal Energy

Total energy of all particles in a substance.

Potential Energy

Stored energy due to position or state.

Heat

Thermal energy transfer from hot to cold areas.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact of particles.

Temperature Gradient

Region where temperature changes from high to low.

Thermal Conductors

Materials that transfer heat easily.

Thermal Insulators

Materials that do not transfer heat easily.

Convection

Heat transfer in fluids due to density differences.

Density

Mass per unit volume of a substance.

Convection Current

Fluid movement caused by density differences.

Radiation

Energy transfer through waves in space.

Infrared Radiation

Transfer of heat energy via infrared waves.

Troposphere

Lowest atmospheric layer with most weather activity.

Stratosphere

Layer above troposphere with steady winds.

Ozone Layer

Protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Atmospheric Pressure

Pressure exerted by atmospheric molecules at a location.

Evaporation

Change from liquid state to gas state.

High Pressure Systems

Form when air mass cools, bringing clear skies.

Low Pressure Systems

Form when air mass warms, causing precipitation.

Prevailing Winds

Typical winds for a specific location.

Coriolis Effect

Air movement direction change due to Earth's rotation.

Jet Stream

Fast-moving air band in the stratosphere.

Front

Boundary between two different air masses.

Thunderstorm

Occurs when warm air rises and condenses.

Hurricane

Low pressure storm system with strong winds.

Climate

Average conditions over 30 years or more.

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Absorption of thermal energy by Earth's atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that absorb and emit thermal radiation.

Earth's Tilt

Causes seasonal changes in the northern hemisphere.

Summer

Northern hemisphere tilted toward the sun, warmer.

Winter

Northern hemisphere tilted away from the sun, cooler.

Earth's Orbit

Elliptical path affecting solar radiation over 100,000 years.

Water Cycle

Circulation of water on, above, and below Earth.

Water Vapour

Most abundant greenhouse gas, affects solar energy absorption.

Ocean Currents

Convection currents moving thermal energy around Earth.

Surface Currents

Heat exchange with the atmosphere, influenced by wind.

Thermocline

Transition zone between warm surface and cold deep waters.

El Nino

Unusually warm surface water in the Pacific Ocean.

La Nina

Cooler surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

El Nino Southern Oscillation

Phenomena of El Nino and La Nina events.

Carbon Cycle

Balances carbon sources and sinks in the environment.

Catastrophic Events

Natural disasters affecting solar radiation reaching Earth.

Global Warming

Increase in global average temperature over time.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Increased thermal energy absorption due to more greenhouse gases.

Ozone Layer

Stratospheric layer filtering harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Albedo

Amount of radiation reflected by a surface.

Albedo

Measure of reflectivity of surfaces.

Low Albedo

Absorbs more solar radiation than reflects.

Boreal Forests

Forests with low albedo, absorbing solar radiation.

Deforestation

Increases albedo, reflecting more solar radiation.

General Circulation Models

Computer models for climate study and forecasting.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

UN body addressing global climate concerns.

Climate Change Models

Predict temperature increases, especially in the Arctic.

Rising Sea Levels

Result of melting ice and thermal expansion.

Permafrost

Ground that remains frozen year-round, now melting.

Growing Seasons

Lengthening due to climate change effects.

Carbon Dioxide in Oceans

Increases ocean acidity, affecting marine life.

Developed Countries

Concerned about climate change implementation costs.

Developing Countries

Reluctant to slow economic growth for climate action.

UN Recommendations

Encourages cost-effective climate measures despite uncertainties.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Gases released from vehicles and industries.

Energy-Efficient Products

Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Indoor Air Quality

Improvement needed for health and environmental reasons.

Tree Planting

Promotes carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Recycling and Composting

Minimizes waste and promotes resource efficiency.

Climate Change Impacts on Canada

Includes shrinking ice cover and changing ecosystems.

Continental Drift Theory

Proposed by Alfred Wegener; continents once joined.

Pangaea

Supercontinent that existed millions of years ago.

Jigsaw Puzzle Fit

Continents fit together like jigsaw pieces.

Continental Shelves

Shallow undersea plains extending from continents.

Matching Geologic Features

Similar mountain ranges across different continents.

Matching Fossils

Identical fossils found on separate continents.

Paleoglaciation

Historical periods of extensive glaciation.

Tectonic Plates

Large, movable slabs of Earth's crust.

Sea Floor Spreading

Magma rises, forming new oceanic crust.

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Mountain ridge running along the Atlantic Ocean.

Paleomagnetism

Study of ancient rocks' magnetic properties.

Magnetometer

Device detecting variations in magnetic fields.

Geologic Hot Spot

Location of excess radioactivity causing magma rise.

Convection Currents

Movement of magma causing tectonic plate motion.

Plate Tectonic Theory

Earth's surface consists of moving tectonic plates.

Lithosphere

Crust and upper mantle layer of Earth.

Asthenosphere

Molten layer beneath the lithosphere.

Subduction

One plate pushed beneath another at convergent boundaries.

Ridge Push

Force pushing tectonic plates apart at ridges.

Slab Pull

Gravity pulls subducting plate into the mantle.

Divergent Boundary

Tectonic plates move apart from each other.

Convergent Boundary

Tectonic plates collide, causing geological activity.

Trench

Narrow ocean floor depression at subduction zones.