weather
the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place
atmosphere
the envelope of gases that surrounds the planet
ozone
is a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two
water vapor
water in the form of a gas
What makes Earth suitable for living things?
The atmosphere.
density
the amount of mass in a given volume of ai
pressure
the force pushing on an area or surface
air pressure
the result of the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area
barometer
an instrument that is used to measure air pressure
mercury barometer
consists of a glass tube open at the bottom end and partially filled with mercury
aneroid barometer
has an airtight metal chamber which is sensitive to changes in air pressure. When air pressure increases, the thin walls of the chamber are pushed in. When the pressure drops, the walls bulge out. The chamber is connected to a dial by a series of springs
altitude
the distance above sea level, the average level of the surface of the oceans
troposphere
the inner, or lowest, layer of Earth's atmosphere
stratosphere
extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 kilometers above Earth's surface. It is the second layer of the atmosphere and contains the ozone layer.
mesosphere
the layer of the atmosphere that protects Earth's surface from being hit by most meteoroids
thermosphere
the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. It has no definite outer limit, but blends gradually with outer space.
ionosphere
the lower layer of the thermosphere, Energy from the sun causes gas molecules in this layer to become electrically charged particles called ions. Brilliant light displays also occur in this layer.
exosphere
the outer portion of the thermosphere. The exosphere extends from about 400 kilometers outward for thousands of kilometers.
pollutants
harmful substances in the air, water, or soil
photochemical smog
The brown haze that develops in sunny cities formed by the action of sunlight on pollutants such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. These chemicals react to form a brownish mixture of ozone and other pollutants.
The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is
nitrogen
Air pressure is typically measured with a
barometer
The layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in
tempreature
The layer of the atmosphere that reflects radio waves is called the
ionosphere
Most air pollution is caused by
the burning of fossil fules
Weather is the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place
True
The force pushing on an area or surface is known as density
False
Earth's weather occurs in the thermosphere
False
The ozone layer is found in the exosphere
False
When sulfur and nitrogen oxides mix with water in the air, they form photochemical smog.
False
Why is it difficult to include water vapor in a graph that shows percentages of various gases in the atmosphere?
Because it changes and varies so much
Name two ways in which carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere.
Humans breathing and burning fossil fules
List the layers of Earth's atmosphere in order
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
Describe how temperature changes that occur as you move upward through the troposphere
It gets colder the higher you go
What is the difference between photochemical smog and London-type smog?
London-style smog was caused by coal that people burned in factories and homes in humid cloudy air. Photochemical smog is found in cities with a lot of sunlight and the is the light particles interacting with the pollution.
How does acid rain form and what kind of problems can it cause?
Rain that contains more acid than normal. Burning coal puts sulfur oxide in the air and when this combines with rain it creates acid rain. Acid rain can damage the surface of buildings and statues, and make water so acidic animals and plants can not longe