Earth and Space science

Outer Space

The vast, seemingly infinite expanse beyond Earth's atmosphere, where celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and galaxies exist. It is characterized by a near vacuum and is essential for understanding the universe.

Thermosphere

The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the mesosphere, characterized by high temperatures and the presence of ionized gases.

Mesosphere

The layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, known for its temperature decline with altitude and where meteors burn up upon entering.

Ozone

A region of Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules, which absorbs the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Stratosphere

The second layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, characterized by a temperature increase with altitude and the presence of the ozone layer.

Tropoause

The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere, where temperature stops decreasing and begins to increase with altitude.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs and temperature decreases with altitude.

Heat

The transfer of thermal energy from one object to another, which can occur through conduction, convection, or radiation.

Specific heat of a substance

is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of the substance by one degree Celsius.

Temperture

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, commonly expressed in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Conduction

is the process by which heat energy is transferred through direct contact between materials, without the movement of the materials themselves.

Convection

is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases), where warmer, less dense areas rise and cooler, denser areas sink.

Reflection

is the process by which light or other waves bounce off a surface.

Scattering

is the process by which light is forced to deviate from a straight trajectory due to non-homogeneous materials or particles, resulting in diffusion of light in different directions.

Greenhouse Effect

is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space and thereby warming the planet.

Albedo

is the measure of the reflectivity of a surface, specifically the proportion of solar energy reflected back into space.

isotherm

a line on a map connecting points with equal temperature.

Water Cycle

is the continuous process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation that circulates water in the Earth's atmosphere and surface.

How does weather differ from climate?

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area, while climate describes the long-term averages and patterns of temperature, humidity, and precipitation in that region.

Why do seasonal changes occur?

Seasonal changes occur due to the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun, leading to varying angles of sunlight and temperature throughout the year.

How are heat and temperature related?

Heat refers to the energy transferred between objects due to temperature differences, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

What are the three major mechanism of heat transfer? 

Conduction, Convection Radiation.

How is the atmosphere affected by each of the Heat Transfer Mechanisms?

The atmosphere is affected by conduction through direct contact with the Earth's surface, convection as warm air rises and cool air sinks, and radiation from the Sun heating the atmosphere.

What is temperature control?

Temperature control refers to the methods and systems used to maintain a specific temperature in an environment or process, often involving heating or cooling mechanisms to achieve the desired thermal condition.

How do the heating of land and water differ?

The heating of land and water differs in that land heats up and cools down more quickly than water due to its lower specific heat capacity. Additionally, water's higher specific heat allows it to absorb and release heat more slowly, leading to more stable temperatures.

Why do some clouds reflect a portion of sunlight back to space?

Some clouds reflect sunlight due to their water droplets or ice crystals, which scatter light effectively. This reflection can help cool the Earth's surface by preventing some solar energy from reaching it.