Global System

Weather

Specific atmospheric conditions at a particular location at a specific time.

Climate

The average weather condition in a region measured over several years.

Biosphere

Narrow zone around Earth that can support life; consists of atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Albedo

The percent of solar radiation that a surface reflects; average albedo for Earth's surface is about 30%.

Troposphere

Layer of atmosphere from Earth's surface to 10 km, containing 80% of atmospheric gases and most living organisms.

Stratosphere

Layer of atmosphere from 10 km to 50 km, containing the ozone layer.

Ozone

O₃, formed from the conversion of stratospheric oxygen, an exothermic process that releases heat.

Mesosphere

Layer of atmosphere from 50 km to 80 km, characterized by temperatures from 0°C to -100°C and contains traces of water vapor.

Thermosphere

Layer of atmosphere from 80 km to 300 km, with temperatures ranging from -100°C to 1500°C and very little gas.

Insolation

The amount of solar energy received on the Earth's surface.

Angle of Inclination

The tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation at an angle of 23.5 degrees from a line drawn perpendicular to its orbital plane.

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Process by which solar energy absorbed by the Earth is re-emitted and absorbed by water vapor, maintaining average atmospheric temperature.

Incoming Radiation

Solar Radiation that reaches the surface of the Earth (isn’t reflected by the atmosphere)

outcoming Radiation

Thermal radiation that is emitted by the Earth's surface into space (not absorbed by the greenhouse gases).

Net Radiation Budget

The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation that keeps the average global temperature steady.

Coriolis Effect

The bending of moving current in response to Earth’s rotation, causing winds in the two hemispheres to move in opposite directions.

Jet Stream

Narrow, fast-flowing 'river' of air in the stratosphere, with strong winds typically between 480 - 640 km/h.

Radiation

The emission of energy as particles or waves, increasing the kinetic energy and temperature of an object when absorbed.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through vibration of atoms in a solid, passing energy from one atom to its neighbors.

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy through the movement of particles, where lower-density warm particles rise and higher-density cold particles sink.

Atmospheric Pressure

The pressure exerted by the air above any point on Earth’s surface; colder air exerts more pressure than warm air.

Inversion

a reversal of the normal decrease of air temperature with altitude, or water temperature with depth.

What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

The Electromagnetic Spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays, ordered by wavelength or frequency.