Our Atmosphere Vocab

Atmosphere

The thin layer of gas surrounding the Earth

Permanent Gases (Definition)

The most abundant, and don’t change much with time nor altitude

Variable Gases (Definition)

Change in concentration with time and altitude

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits infrared energy

Permanent Gases

Nitrogen (N2), Oxygen (O2), Argon (Ar)

Variable Gases

Water Vapor (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Ozone (O3)

Troposphere

The first and lowest layer of the atmosphere. Wear weather occurs Temperature decreases as you go up

Stratosphere

Second layer of the atmosphere. Made up mostly of Ozone. Temp increases bc of UV radiation absorption

Mesosphere

Third layer of the atmosphere. Thin cold air where meteors tend to burn up. Temp decreases bc of low air density

Thermosphere

Fourth Layer of the atmosphere. Absorbs Absorbs X-rays and UV radiation. Has low orbit satellites.Temp increase because of high energy environment.

Exosphere

Fifth and last layer of the atmosphere. Mid orbit satellites are found here

Tropopause

Top of the troposphere

Stratopause

Top of the stratosphere

Mesopause

Top of the mesosphere