ATMOSPHERE

What is weather?

The condition of the atmosphere at a certain point in time.

Define climate.

The state of weather over long periods of time, including averages and extremes.

What are the main components of the atmosphere?

Nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.

What characterizes the layers of the atmosphere?

Mainly by temperature.

What layer of the atmosphere is characterized as the coldest?

Mesosphere.

Where is the ozone layer located?

In the stratosphere, which protects us from UV-B and UV-C radiation.

What is the principle of heat transfer?

Heat always flows from the hotter region to the cooler one.

Define conduction.

The transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity.

What mechanism primarily heats the atmosphere?

Solar radiation reaches Earth and is absorbed by the planet's surface.

Explain the relationship between temperature and pressure at constant density.

Higher temperatures often correlate with lower atmospheric pressure.

What causes weather?

Atmospheric pressure, air movement, wind, and cloud formation.

What are convection cells?

Permanent pockets of circulating air within the troposphere.

Identify the three global wind belts.

Trade Winds, Westerlies, Easterlies.

What is the Coriolis effect?

The apparent deflection of the path of objects moving within a rotating coordinate system.

What are gyres?

Large spirals of surface currents created by global winds and the Coriolis effect.

What happens to warm air?

Warm air spreads out, becomes less dense, and rises.

What is the role of gravity in atmospheric density?

Gravity's effect makes air denser at sea level due to compression.

What is albedo?

The percentage of incoming sunlight that is reflected from a surface.

What is the significance of the Hadley cells?

They are the largest convection cells, influencing major weather patterns along the equator.

What happens to meteorites in the mesosphere?

Most meteorites burn up in this layer due to friction with atmospheric gases.