Earth's Atmosphere and Heat Transfer Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the composition of Earth's atmosphere, atmospheric layers, greenhouse gases, and thermal energy transfer processes.

Nitrogen

The most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up about $78\%$ of atmospheric gas.

Oxygen

The second most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up about $21\%$ of atmospheric gas.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where all weather and life exist, containing most of its water vapor, and where temperature decreases as altitude increases.

Stratosphere

The atmospheric layer containing the ozone layer, located above the troposphere, where temperatures increase as altitude increases.

Ozone Layer

A protective layer located in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun to protect living organisms on Earth.

Mesosphere

The middle and coldest layer of the atmosphere where meteors burn up due to friction, protecting Earth from meteoroid impacts.

Thermosphere

The hottest, extremely high-temperature layer of the atmosphere where the International Space Station orbits and where the ionosphere is located.

Exosphere

The boundary layer leading into outer space where satellite orbits occur.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which greenhouse gases form a layer around Earth to absorb, re-emit, and trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping the planet warm.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.

Carbon Dioxide

A common greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and respiration.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

Harmful radiation from the Sun that is absorbed by the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Radiation

The transfer of energy from the Sun traveling through empty space to Earth, warming the ground, sand, and ozone layer.

Conduction

Direct heat transfer between two objects that are physically touching, such as warm sand or ground heating the air directly above it.

Convection

The transfer of heat in air or fluids where warm air rises and cool air sinks, forming circulation currents.

Density

The property of air that determines movement, where warm air rises because it is less dense and cool air sinks because it has higher density.