Atmosphere, Air Pollution, Climate & Policy Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the key concepts from the lecture notes on atmosphere, air pollution, climate, and policy.

Troposphere

Lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs and contains water vapor.

Stratosphere

Layer of the atmosphere that contains the ozone layer and has stable air.

Mesosphere

Layer where meteors burn up upon entering the atmosphere.

Thermosphere

Layer of the atmosphere that contains auroras and is where satellites orbit.

Atmospheric Composition

78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, with trace gases like CO2, H2O, O3, and Ar.

Aerosols

Solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.

UV Protection

Function of the ozone layer to protect Earth from ultraviolet radiation.

Biogeochemical Cycling

The movement of elements and compounds through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Photosynthesis

Process through which oxygen evolved in Earth’s atmosphere.

Industrial Revolution

Major shift that significantly altered atmospheric composition.

Solar Insolation

The amount of solar energy received per unit area.

Earth's Tilt

Causes seasonal variations in sunlight and temperature.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of wind patterns due to Earth's rotation.

Trade Winds

Prevailing winds that blow from east to west near the equator.

Cold Fronts

Weather fronts associated with rapid cooling and thunderstorms.

Warm Fronts

Weather fronts characterized by gradual warming and steady rain.

Air Masses

Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and humidity.

Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area.

Climate

Long-term regional or global averages of weather.

Primary Pollutants

Pollutants directly emitted from sources like vehicles and industry.

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants formed in the atmosphere, such as ozone and acid rain.

Photochemical Smog

Formed from NOx, VOCs, and sunlight, resulting in ozone.

Keeling Curve

Graph showing the increase of CO₂ in the atmosphere since 1958.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including CO₂, CH4, N2O.

IPCC Models

Climate change projections including warming and extreme weather.

Natural Attenuation

The process by which pollutants are naturally broken down in the atmosphere.

Hydroxyl Radicals

Chemical species that play a crucial role in atmospheric cleansing.

Scrubbers

Pollution control technologies used to remove harmful substances from emissions.

CAFE Standards

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for vehicles.

Clean Air Act

Legislation aimed at controlling air pollution on a national level.

Cap-and-Trade

Market-based approach to controlling pollution by providing economic incentives.

Montreal Protocol

International treaty aimed at phasing out substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar and wind.

Green Climate Fund

International fund to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to climate change.