Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, and Environmental Chemistry

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering atmospheric layers, meteorological variables and instruments, vitamins, and greenhouse gases.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that surrounds Earth.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere $(0 - 12\,\text{km})$, where we live and where most weather happens.

Stratosphere

The layer of Earth's atmosphere $(12 - 50\,\text{km})$ containing the ozone layer, which helps protect Earth from harmful UV radiation.

UVA

A type of ultraviolet ray with the longest wavelength that penetrates deeply into the skin.

UVB

A type of ultraviolet ray with a shorter wavelength that is the major cause of sunburn.

UVC

A type of ultraviolet ray with the shortest wavelength that is the most energetic.

Chloroflourocarbons

Man-made gases composed of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon that cause ozone depletion.

Mesosphere

The layer of Earth's atmosphere $(50 - 85\,\text{km})$ where most meteors burn up.

Meteoroid

A space rock located in outer space.

Meteor

A space rock passing through Earth's atmosphere.

Meteorite

A space rock that reaches Earth's surface.

Thermosphere

A very hot layer of Earth's atmosphere $(85 - 600\,\text{km})$ where auroras can occur.

Aurora Borealis

Natural light display occurring near the North Pole, also known as the Northern Lights.

Aurora Australis

Natural light display occurring near the South Pole, also known as the Southern Lights.

Exosphere

The outside or outermost layer of the atmosphere $(600 - 10{,}000\,\text{km})$, gradually blending into outer space.

Vitamin A

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, sourced from carrots, eggs, and liver.

Vitamin D

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for bones, sourced from sunlight and fatty fish.

Vitamin E

A fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, sourced from nuts and seeds.

Vitamin K

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting, sourced from green leafy vegetables.

Meteorological variables

Measurable elements of the atmosphere that describe weather conditions.

Temperature

A meteorological variable that tells how cold or hot the air is.

Thermometer

An instrument that measures how hot or cold something is, with standard reference temperatures like water freezing at $0^\circ\text{C} = 32^\circ\text{F} = 273.15\,\text{K}$ and boiling at $100^\circ\text{C} = 212^\circ\text{F} = 373.15\,\text{K}$.

Atmospheric pressure

The pressure exerted by air.

Barometer

An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

Evangelista Tomicelli

The inventor of the mercury barometer.

Wind

The movement of air.

Wind Direction

Tells where the wind is coming from (North, East, South, West).

Wind vane

An instrument used to measure the direction in which the wind is blowing.

Wind Speed

Tells how fast the air is moving.

Anemometer

An instrument used to measure wind speed.

Humidity

The amount of water vapor present in the air, expressed in $\text{g/m}^3$.

Hygrometer

An instrument used to measure humidity.

Precipitations

Amount of water, snow, hail, or sleet falling from clouds.

Rain Gaugage

An instrument used to measure the amount of rainfall.

Cloudiness

How much of the sky is covered by clouds.

Albedo Effect

The amount of sunlight that a surface reflects back into space, approximately $30\%$. High albedo reflects more sunlight (cooler), while low albedo absorbs more sunlight (warmer).

GREENHOUSE GASSES

Gases that trap some of the heat from the Sun and Earth's surface.

Water vapor

The most abundant greenhouse gas, formed when liquid changes into a gas via evaporation.

Carbon dioxide

$\text{CO}_2$, a greenhouse gas produced during complete combustion.

Carbon monoxide

$\text{CO}$, a poisonous greenhouse gas produced during incomplete combustion.

Methane

$\text{CH}_4$, a hydrocarbon greenhouse gas categorized into aliphatic (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes) and aromatic (benzene) forms.

Nitrous Oxide

$\text{N}_2\text{O}$, a greenhouse gas produced from agricultural and industrial processes.

Ozone

$\text{O}_3$, a molecule consisting of 3 oxygen atoms; stratospheric ozone is located high in the atmosphere.

VOCs

Volatile Organic Compounds; organic chemicals from sources like fuels, solvents, and industrial processes that easily become gases or vapors.

Evaporation

The process in which a liquid changes into a gas.