Atmosphere

Thin protective blanket that protects Earth from outer space, absorbs solar energy and UV rays, and moderates Earth's temperature

Atmosphere

The percentage of Nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere

78.08%

The percentage of Oxygen in Earth's atmosphere

20.95%

The percentage of Argon in Earth's atmosphere

0.934%

The percentage of Carbon Dioxide in Earth's atmosphere

0.039%

The four minor noble gases in Earth's atmosphere besides Argon

Neon, Krypton, Helium, Xenon

The concentration percentage of water vapor in the atmosphere

0.0 - 4.0%

The concentration percentage of trace gases in the atmosphere

0.01%

Atmospheric component that serves as the source of carbon dioxide for plant photosynthesis

Atmosphere

Atmospheric component that serves as the source of oxygen for respiration

Atmosphere

Atmospheric component that provides elemental Nitrogen for N-fixing bacteria and NH3-manufacturing plants

Atmosphere

Radiation type absorbed and filtered by the atmosphere to protect Earth from freezing and harmful cosmic radiation

Cosmic rays and Electromagnetic/UV radiation

Property defined as the average kinetic energy of particles in the atmosphere

Temperature

Property defined as the pressure exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere above it

Air Pressure

The relationship between air pressure and altitude

Air pressure decreases as altitude increases

Property defined by atoms and molecules becoming farther apart as altitude increases

Density

Movement of air from regions of higher density to lower density that can be slowed by surface friction

Wind

The amount of water vapor in the air relative to the amount needed to reach saturation

Relative Humidity

The condition when the amount of water vapor in a volume of air has reached its maximum capacity

Saturation

The temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure to reach saturation

Dew Point

Indication of relative humidity level when dew point equals air temperature

High relative humidity

Dew point range under 55°F feels

Dry

Dew point range between 55°F and 60°F feels

Comfortable

Dew point range between 60°F and 65°F feels

Unpleasant

Dew point range between 65°F and 70°F feels

Damp

Dew point range over 70°F feels

Oppressive

A process where temperature changes without the addition or removal of thermal energy from a system

Adiabatic process

Process where air is compressed and heats up

Adiabatic heating

Process where air expands and cools down

Adiabatic cooling

The lapse rate for dry adiabatic cooling

10°C per 1000 m

The lapse rate for moist adiabatic cooling

6°C per 1000 m

The level at which an ascending air parcel cools to its dew point and condensation begins

Lifted Condensation Level

Movement of particles in all directions

Random motion

Energy produced from the movement of particles

Kinetic energy

Total energy of particles in an object due to their random motion

Thermal energy

Transfer of thermal energy from one object or system to another

Heat

Transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves

Radiation

Percentage of solar energy reaching Earth's surface that is absorbed by Earth

50%

Percentage of solar energy reaching Earth's surface that is reflected back into space

30%

Percentage of solar energy reaching Earth's surface that is absorbed by the atmosphere

20%

Thermal property causing water to heat and cool slower than land

Specific heat / heat capacity rate difference

Objects that absorb solar energy faster than light-colored objects

Darker objects

Transfer of thermal energy between objects when their atoms or molecules collide

Conduction

Phase of matter where conduction occurs most easily compared to gases

Solids or liquids

Atmospheric boundary layer where conduction primarily occurs

Between Earth's surface and the lowest part of the atmosphere

Transfer of thermal energy by the movement of heated material from one place to another

Convection

Primary mechanism for energy transfer in the Earth's atmosphere

Convection

Innermost layer of the atmosphere containing 80% of total atmospheric mass and 99% of water vapor

Troposphere

Altitude range of the Troposphere

0 to 12-18 km (or 10-16 km)

Temperature range in the Troposphere

15°C to -56.5°C

Atmospheric process where gaseous molecules scatter sunlight causing a blue hue

Rayleigh scattering by gaseous molecules

Atmospheric process where particulate matter scatters light toward the red side of the visible spectrum

Scattering by particulate matter

Layer above the troposphere located between 11-12 km to 50 km altitude

Stratosphere

Percentage of total atmospheric gases present in the Stratosphere

19%

Layer containing the ozone layer and meteoric dust

Stratosphere

Temperature trend in the lower Stratosphere

Temperature remains constant

Temperature trend starting in the ozone layer within the Stratosphere

Temperature increases with altitude

Molecules consisting of three oxygen atoms (O3) that absorb solar UV rays

Ozone

Percentage of Earth's total ozone found in the Stratosphere

Approximately 90%

Naturally occurring ozone layer located between 10 km and 50 km altitude that shields Earth from UV radiation

Stratospheric Ozone

Harmful atmospheric pollutant and greenhouse gas created by chemical reactions between man-made emissions (VOCs or NOx) and sunlight

Tropospheric Ozone

Health effect of tropospheric ozone on humans

Penetrates lungs and harms respiratory system

Electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelength and higher energy than visible light

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

Long wavelength UV radiation ranging from 320 to 400 nm that is not absorbed by the ozone layer and penetrates to the skin dermis

UV-A

Skin and body damage caused by UV-A radiation

Eye damage and premature skin aging

Medium wavelength UV radiation ranging from 290 to 320 nm mostly absorbed by the ozone layer

UV-B

Primary cause of sunburn from solar radiation, reaching highest levels at noon

UV-B

Short wavelength UV radiation ranging from 100 to 290 nm that is completely absorbed by the ozone layer

UV-C