Atmosphere Test Review Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Atmosphere Test Review Study Guide.

Earth’s spheres

The layers of our atmosphere which work together to protect us from harmful solar radiation and maintain a stable temperature.

Atmosphere

Layers of gases surrounding us that protect us from harmful solar radiation and maintain a stable temperature.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather happens; it contains most of the atmosphere's mass and extends about 8–15 km above Earth's surface; temperature decreases with altitude.

Stratosphere

Home to the ozone layer; aircraft often fly here to avoid turbulence; temperature increases with altitude due to ozone absorption.

Mesosphere

The middle layer of the atmosphere, where meteors burn up upon entry; the coldest atmospheric layer.

Thermosphere

Where the auroras occur and where the International Space Station orbits; temperatures can reach thousands of degrees due to intense solar radiation

Exosphere

The outermost layer of the atmosphere, transitioning into space; extremely sparse, with gas molecules escaping into the void.

Homosphere

Gases are well-mixed due to turbulence and convection, maintaining a relatively uniform composition throughout; includes the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere.

Heterosphere

The gases in this region are not well-mixed and instead stratified; includes the thermosphere and exosphere.

Ionosphere

Found between the mesosphere and thermosphere.

Aurora

Occurs in the ionosphere; Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) occurs near the North Pole; Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) occurs near the South Pole.

Magnetosphere

Not part of the atmosphere, the Earth's magnetic field, which blocks solar winds; energy of the solar winds is stored in the magnetotail

Ozone Layer

A sublayer located in the stratosphere; blocks UV-C, most of UV-B, and little UV-A.

Ozone pollution

Ozone is considered a pollutant in the troposphere because it is a key component in smog.

Insolation

The amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth’s surface; varies by latitude, time of day, and season due to Earth's tilt and orbit; greater insolation leads to warmer temperatures.

Rotation

Earth spins on its axis once every ~24 hours, causing day and night; affects weather patterns and ocean currents due to the Coriolis effect.

Revolution

Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path, completing one full revolution every ~365.25 days; contributes to seasonal changes.

Tilt of Earth’s Axis

Earth’s axis is tilted at ~23.5°; determines the angle of sunlight received at different times of the year, influencing seasonal variations.

Cause of the Seasons

Occur due to Earth's axial tilt and revolution around the Sun. As Earth moves along its orbit, different hemispheres receive varying amounts of sunlight.

Weather

The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.; most commonly occurs in the troposphere.

Climate

Refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in a given region.

Evaporation

The Sun heats water from oceans, lakes, and rivers, turning it into water vapor.

Transpiration

Plants release water vapor from their leaves into the air.

Condensation

Water vapor cools in the atmosphere and forms clouds.

Precipitation

Clouds release water as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.

Runoff

Water flows over land into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Infiltration

Water seeps into the ground, replenishing underground reservoirs (aquifers).

Air pressure

The force exerted by the weight of air molecules in Earth's atmosphere; is caused by gravity pulling air toward the surface and is measured in units like pascals (Pa) or millibars (mb).

Coriolis effect

Causes moving air to be deflected due to Earth's rotation; air retains its original velocity as it moves, creating an apparent force that shifts its path—right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere—shaping global winds and ocean currents.

Milankovitch Cycles

The shape of Earth’s orbit, known as eccentricity; The angle Earth’s axis is tilted with respect to Earth’s orbital plane, known as obliquity; and The direction Earth’s axis of rotation is pointed, known as precession.

Accretion

The process of a growth of a massive object by gravitationally attracting and collecting of additional materials

Outgassing

Process where volcanic eruptions released gases.

Photosynthesis

conversion of carbon dioxide and water to chemical energy and sugar and oxygen