atmosphere
a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or mooon
air pressure
the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface
troposphere
the lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature decreases at a constant rate as altitude increases
stratosphere
the layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere and in which temperataure increases as altitude increases
mesosphere
the layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere and in which temperature decreases as altitude increases
ozone layer
protects live on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation -- located in stratosphere
thermosphere
the uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases
ionosphere
electrically charged particles in the thermosphere, cause auroras
radiation
transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves
thermal conduction
the transfer of energy as heat through a material
convection
the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas
convection current
cycle of warm air rising and cool air sinking
global warming
a gradual increase in average global temperatures
greenhouse effect
the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb and re-radiate thermal energy
wind
movement of air caused by differences in air pressure
convection cells
circular patterns, air travels in them
pressure belts
separate bands of high and low pressure, found about every 30 degrees of latitude
Coriolis effect
the apparent curving of the path of a moving object form an otherwise straight path due to the Earth's rotation
polar easterlies
prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres
westerlies
prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres
trade winds
prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 degrees north latitude to the equator and that blow southeast from 30 degrees south latitude to the equator
global winds
created by a combination of convection cells found at every 30 degrees of latitude and the coriolis effect
doldrums
where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet
horse latitudes
area of high pressure with weak wind, caused by sinking air -- ships carrying horses were supposedly stuck here -- worlds deserts are located there because the sinking air is very dry
jet stream
a narrow belt of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere
air pollution
the contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural resources
primary pollutants
pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or natural activity -- include dust, sea salt, volcanic gases, ash, smoke from forest fires and pollen. from humans: carbon monoxide, dust, smoke and chemicals from paint and other substances, vehicle
secondary pollutants
pollutants tht form when primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants or with naturally occurring substances such as water vapor -- examples: ozone and smog
ozone
secondary pollutant, produced when sunlight reacts with vehicle exhaust
smog
secondary pollutant -- formed when ozone and vehicle exhaust react with sunlight
acid preciptation
rain, sleet, or snow that contains a high concentration of acids
ventilation
mixing of indoor air with outdoor air -- can reduce indoor air pollution
acidification
caused by acid precipitation, causes the acidity of the soil to change and change the balance of the soil's chemistry; can cause some nutrients to be dissolved and get washed away by rainwater
ozone hole
created by the thinning of the ozone layer, caused by chemicals; allows more dangerous UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface
scrubber
device that is used to remove some pollutants before they are relased by smokestacks
ways to reduce air pollution
hybrid cars, biking and walking instead of driving, carpool and use public transportation