Physical Science Module #3 Flashcards

Atmosphere

The mass of water vapor surrounding a planet

Atmospheric Pressure

The pressure exerted by the atmosphere on all objects within it

Barometer

An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure

Homosphere

The lower layer of earth’s atmosphere, which exists from ground level to roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) above sea level

Heterosphere

The upper layer of earth’s atmosphere, which exists higher than 80 kilometers (50 miles) above sea level

Troposphere

The region of the atmosphere that extends from ground level to roughly 11 kilometers (7 miles) above sea level

Stratosphere

The region of the atmosphere that spans altitude of roughly 11 kilometers to 48 kilometers (30 miles)

Mesosphere

The region of the atmosphere that spans altitudes of roughly 48 kilometers to 80 kilometers (50 miles)

Jet streams

Narrow bands of high-speed winds that circle the earth, blowing west to east

Heat

Energy that is transferred as a consequence of temperature differences

Temperature

A measure of the energy of random motion in a substance’s molecules

Thermosphere

The region of the atmosphere between altitudes of roughly 80 kilometers and 460 kilometers

Exosphere

The region of the atmosphere above an altitude of roughly 460 kilometers

Ionosphere

The region of the atmosphere between the altitudes of 65 kilometers and 330 kilometers, where the gases are ionized