Atmosphere and Weather – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the atmosphere, its layers, key cycles, weather factors, cloud types, forecasting, and meteorological tools introduced in the notes.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth; protects from harmful solar radiation, supports the water cycle, and provides the air we breathe.

Exosphere

Outermost layer of the atmosphere.

Thermosphere

Upper layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere; extends high into space and contains ionized particles.

Mesosphere

Middle layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and thermosphere.

Stratosphere

Layer above the troposphere; contains the ozone layer.

Troposphere

Lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs and most water vapor is found.

Nitrogen cycle

The process that transforms atmospheric N2 into forms usable by living organisms, including nitrogen fixation, assimilation, nitrification, ammonification, and denitrification.

Nitrogen fixation

Conversion of atmospheric N2 into ammonia or nitrates by bacteria, enabling plant uptake.

Assimilation (nitrogen cycle)

Plants uptake nitrates and incorporate nitrogen into organic compounds.

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonium first to nitrites, then to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria.

Ammonification

Decomposition of organic nitrogen to ammonium (NH4+).

Denitrification

Bacteria convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas (N2), returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Ammonium (NH4+)

A form of nitrogen produced during ammonification that plants can uptake.

Nitrates (NO3-)

A form of nitrogen used by plants for growth.

Nitrites (NO2-)

An intermediate in the nitrification process.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and H2O into glucose, releasing O2 as a by-product.

Water cycle (hydrologic cycle)

Movement of water through the atmosphere, soil, organisms, and oceans; atmosphere plays a crucial role.

Ozone layer

O3-rich layer in the stratosphere that absorbs UV radiation, protecting living organisms.

Ozone depletion

Reduction of ozone in the stratosphere, largely due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related chemicals.

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)

Man-made chemicals linked to ozone depletion.

Hydrologic cycle

See Water cycle; the continuous movement of water within Earth and its atmosphere.

Temperature (weather factor)

A measure of heat in the air; drives atmospheric convection and affects pressure.

Atmospheric pressure

The force exerted on Earth's surface by the weight of the atmosphere; influences wind and weather patterns.

Convection cells

Large wind patterns formed as heated air rises and cooler air sinks.

Wind

Horizontal movement of air caused by pressure differences; greater pressure differences yield faster wind.

Humidity

Amount of water vapor present in the air.

Clouds

Visible masses of water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere; two main categories: cumulus (cumuliform) and stratus (stratiform).

Cumuliform clouds

Clouds formed by convection; include cirrocumulus, altocumulus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus.

Stratiform clouds

Clouds formed by stable, large air masses; include cirrostratus, altostratus, stratus, and nimbostratus.

Weather station

A facility with instruments (thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, anemometer, wind vane, rain gauge) to collect weather data.

Meteorology

The science of weather forecasting.

Meteorologist

A specialist who studies and forecasts weather using scientific principles.

Radiosonde

Instrument package carried by weather balloons to measure upper-atmosphere conditions (temperature, dew point, wind).

Radar (Doppler radar)

Radio Detection and Ranging; uses radio waves to determine location, movement, and intensity of precipitation; Doppler provides wind patterns.

Weather satellites

Satellites used to observe Earth's weather from space; examples include artificial satellites like the International Space Station.

Computers in meteorology

Supercomputers used to solve atmospheric equations and store weather data and records.