Lesson One: Atmosphere

The thin layer of gasses that surrounds the Earth

atmosphere

the atmosphere protects Earth from

sun's harmful rays and space debris

the atmosphere regulates Earth's

temperature

Earth's atmosphere contains

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gases

Energy on Earth comes from the _____.

sun

Air pressure is strongest at

Earth's surface.

Temperature affects _______ _______.

Air pressure

The higher the altitude, the ___ the air pressure.

lower

The lower the altitude, the _____ the air pressure.

higher

We live in this layer of the atmosphere.

Troposphere

Space ships fly in this layer of the atmosphere.

Thermosphere

The warmest layer in the atmosphere is the _____.

Thermosphere

The correct order of the atmosphere from highest to lowest.

Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere

Wind is caused by

Unequal heating of air and differences in air pressure

Seabreeze

The flow of cooler air from over an ocean or lake toward land

land breeze

movement of air from land to sea at night, created when cooler, denser air from the land forces up warmer air over the sea

global winds

winds that blow steadily from specific directions over long distances

Westerlies and Trade Winds

curved" winds that result from the rotation of the Earth under the atmosphere

polar winds

These winds blow from NE to West in the polar region moving cold air west from the poles.

corialis effect

the resulting diagonal movement, either north or south, of prevailing winds caused by the Earth's rotation