Earth in Space Slide 8

Troposphere

Lowest Layer. Where most weather occurs.

Stratosphere

Layer above the troposphere, contains the ozone layer and is where jets typically fly.

Mesosphere

Layer above the stratosphere. Coldest layer with temperatures dropping to -90C

Thermosphere

Layer above the mesosphere, characterized by high temperatures and the presence of ionized gases.

Exosphere

The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending into space, where atmospheric particles are very sparse and satellites orbit.

Air Pressure

The force exerted by the weight of air molecules above a given point, decreasing with altitude.

Heat

Energy that causes an increase in temperature, transferring from warmer to cooler objects.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance, indicating how hot or cold it is.

Heat Capacity Equation

Q is the heat added and T is the change in temperature.

Conduction

The process by which heat energy is transferred through direct contact between materials, allowing thermal energy to flow from hotter to cooler areas.

Convection

The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) caused by differences in temperature and density.

Radiation

The transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves, allowing energy to move through a vacuum or across space without the need for a medium.