Unit 3: Atmosphere

Atmosphere

the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air

Relative Humidity

The percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor that air can contain at a specific temperature

Dew Point

temperature at which air is saturated and condensation forms

Condensation Nuclei

Microscopic particles on which water vapor condenses to form cloud droplets.

Precipitation

rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.

Evaporation

The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas

Condensation

Gas to liquid

Evapotranspiration

The evaporation of water from soil plus the transpiration of water from plants.

Percolation

The process by which water moves downward in the soil, toward the water table

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs.

Stratosphere

2nd layer of atmosphere; extends from 10 to 30 miles up; location of ozone layer; absorbs 95% of Ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude increase.

Mesosphere

The layer of Earth's atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere, protects earth from meteors.

Thermosphere

The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases. Northern Lights occur here.

Exosphere

The outer layer of the thermosphere, extending outward into space.