Atmosphere/Heating of Atmosphere Key Terms

Radiation

Movement of heat by electromagnetic waves; the way heat moves through space

Conduction

Movement of heat by the collision of molecules transferring energy to one another; main way heat moves through solids

Convection

Movement of heat by the mass movements of the substance; main way heat moves through liquids and gases

Acid Rain

Precipitation that is more acidic than normal

Aurora

Shimmering light in night sky caused by solar radiation exciting molecules in the atmosphere

Point Source

Specific source of pollution that can be identified

Non Point Source

Widely spread source of pollution that can't be tied to specific point of origin

Complimentary Angles

A pair of angles which add up to be 90 degrees

Photochemical Smog

Brown haze above/in cities formed by sunlight hitting certain pollutants in the air

London Type Smog

Coal smoke and other pollutantss mixed with water vapor in air

Climate

Average weather for a region

Southern Lights

Aurora Australis

Northern Lights

Aurora Borealis

Greenhouse Effect

Process of the the atmosphere letting light from the sun through but trapping heat radiated by earths surface within the atmosphere

Ozone Layer

Layer of gas the forms a "protective umbrella" against ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun

Atmosphere

Thin envelope of gases surrounding the planet

Weather

Condition of the atmosphere at a specific time and place

Altitude

Height above the surface of the earth

Elevation

The height above sea level of a point on Earth's surface

Temperature

The average kinetic energy of the particles of a substance

Air Pressure

The weight of air pressing on a surface

Thermometer

Instrument used to measure temperature

Barometer

Instrument used to measure air pressure

Albedo

How well and object reflects radiation

Angle of Insolation

Measure of the position of the sun in the sky at its highest point during the day

Relative Humidity

Measure of the amount of water vapor in the air compared to how much water vapor the air can hold at the that temperature

Isotherm

Line on a map connecting points of equal temperature