Atmosphere Basics
This layer of gases surrounds Earth and protects life.
What is the atmosphere?
The force caused by air molecules colliding with surfaces.
What is air pressure?
The process where liquid water changes into water vapor.
What is evaporation?
Large bodies of air with similar temperature and humidity
What are air masses?
A scientist who studies the atmosphere and forecasts weather.
What is a meteorologist?
The atmosphere acts like this, helping keep Earth from getting too hot or too cold.
What is an insulator (or thermal blanket)?
The tool used to measure air pressure.
What is a barometer?
Plants release water vapor through this process.
What is transpiration?
This air mass is warm and humid.
What is Maritime Tropical (mT)?
Tall, dark clouds that often produce thunderstorms.
What are cumulonimbus clouds?
This gas makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere.
What is nitrogen?
As altitude increases, air pressure does this.
What is decreases?
The amount of water vapor in the air.
What is humidity?
This front forms when cold air pushes under warm air.
What is a cold front?
Fast-moving winds high in the atmosphere that help steer weather systems.
What are jet streams?
These gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.
What are greenhouse gases?
Warm air is less dense and usually creates this kind of pressure
What is low pressure?
The temperature at which condensation begins.
What is the dew point?
This type of front may bring several days of cloudy, rainy weather because neither air mass moves.
What is a stationary front?
This severe storm has a rotating column of air touching the ground.
What is a tornado?
This principle says Earth's conditions are "just right" for life.
What is the Goldilocks Principle?
A mountain climber reaches the top of a tall mountain and begins to feel short of breath. Using what you know about air pressure and altitude, explain why this happens.
What is there is lower air pressure and fewer air molecules (including oxygen) at higher altitudes, making it harder to get enough oxygen with each breath?
A student sees water droplets form on cold grass in the morning. What process caused this?
What is condensation?
A weather report predicts cold and dry air moving into the area. Which air mass is arriving?
What is Continental Polar (cP)?
A thunderstorm forms when this type of air rises rapidly along a cold front.
What is warm, moist air?