Atmosphere and Temperature Flashcards

Flashcards from lecture notes.

Atmosphere

The Earth is surrounded by a thin layer of gases called the atmosphere.

Atmosphere's Responsibility

The atmosphere is responsible for creating all weather systems.

Atmosphere Composition

The atmosphere contains air, which is a mixture of gases.

Importance of Air

Air is essential for life because it enables respiration.

Atmosphere and Energy Transfer

The atmosphere plays an important role in transferring energy across the planet.

Gases in the Atmosphere

The atmosphere contains greenhouse gases, water vapour, and carbon dioxide.

Role of Water Vapour

Water vapour enables rain.

Importance of Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is important for plant growth.

Ozone Layer Protection

Ozone protects us from harmful Ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Atmosphere protects from…

It protects the Earth from meteorites or cosmic rocks entering our atmosphere.

The atmosphere influence on weather

Weather can form in the atmosphere and it helps transfer energy around the globe.

Four Main Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere (0–12 km), Stratosphere (12–50 km), Mesosphere (50–80 km), Thermosphere (above 80 km).

Troposphere

It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface.

Life in the Troposphere

All life occurs in the troposphere.

Weather Formation

All weather is formed in the troposphere.

Breathable Air in Troposphere

The troposphere contains 75% of breathable air.

Troposphere Contents

It contains all the water vapour, clouds, and pollution.

Temperature Change in Troposphere

The temperature decreases by 0.65 °C for every 100 meters increase in height.

Tropopause

The tropopause is the boundary that separates the troposphere from the next layer.

Temperature Change in Stratosphere

Temperature increases with height due to ozone absorbing UV light.

Stratosphere Characteristics

It is very dry and has no clouds.

Stratopause

The stratopause separates the stratosphere from the next atmospheric layer.

Temperature at Stratopause

The temperature at the stratopause is about zero degrees Celsius.

Temperature Change in Mesosphere

Temperature decreases with height, reaching about -90°C.

Mesopause

The mesopause separates the mesosphere from the thermosphere.

Temperature Change in Thermosphere

Temperature increases dramatically with height, up to about 1,200°C.

Air in the Thermosphere

The air is extremely thin and air pressure is almost zero.

Thermosphere Particles

Ionisation occurs, which leads to the creation of Auroras.

Permanent Gases

Permanent gases include nitrogen and oxygen.

Variable Gases

Variable gases include argon, water vapour, ozone, and greenhouse gases.

Non-Gas Particles

Dust, salt, and smoke particles.

Common Pollutants

Sulphur dioxide and methane.

Atmospheric Pressure

It is the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on the Earth's surface.

Air Pressure with Height

Air pressure decreases with height.

Units of Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is measured in hectopascals (hPa) or millibars (mb).

Cause of Wind

Wind is caused by differences in air pressure.

Air Movement in Wind

Air moves from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure.

Wind Direction Measurement

Wind direction is measured with a wind vane.

Wind Speed Measurement

Wind speed is measured with an anemometer.

Wind Naming

Wind is named after the direction it originates from.

Instruments to Measure Air Temperature

Dry bulb thermometer, wet bulb thermometer, mercury thermometer, and alcohol thermometer.

Dry Bulb Thermometer

It measures dry air temperature.

Wet Bulb Thermometer

It measures humid air temperature.

Mercury Thermometer

It measures the maximum air temperature.

Alcohol Thermometer

It measures the minimum air temperature.

Units of Temperature

Temperature is expressed in °C, °F, or Kelvin (K).

Mean Temperature

Mean temperature is the average temperature over a period.

Diurnal Temperature

Diurnal temperature is the daily temperature range.

Annual Temperature

Annual temperature is the average temperature over a year.

Temperature Range

Temperature range is the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures.

Calculate Mean Daily Temperature

(Daily maximum temperature + daily minimum temperature) ÷ 2.

Calculate Mean Monthly Temperature

Add all the daily mean temperatures in a month and divide by the number of days.

Calculate Mean Annual Temperature

Add all monthly mean temperatures and divide by 12.

Calculate Daily Temperature Range

Daily maximum temperature minus daily minimum temperature.

Calculate Annual Temperature Range

Maximum temperature of the year minus minimum temperature of the year.