EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE
the layer where we live and where weather is found
troposphere
The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves or rays
radiation
This occurs when nitrogen dioxide is released into the air and interacts with sunlight
smog
steady east-to-west winds that flow toward the equator from 30° N and 30° S
trade winds
where the ozone layer is found
stratosphere
The transfer of energy by molecules bumping into each other
conduction
A mixture of dust, acids, and other chemicals that can be hazardous to humans
particulate matter
a narrow band of high winds in the troposphere
jet stream
Air that is _____ becomes less dense. _____, denser air pushes warm air up and out of the way.
heated, cool
the third layer of the atmosphere, also contains the ionosphere
mesosphere
the transfer of heat by the flow of heated air or liquid particles
convection
when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with moisture in the atmosphere and form precipitation
acid precipitation
The movement of wind and water to the right or left that is caused by Earth's rotation is called the...
Coriolis Effect
The concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere ranges from _____ to _____ percent
0 to 4
the stratosphere contains this which protects us from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet rays
ozone layer
This is a constant supply of energy to the Earth
The Sun
This traps pollution in a valley for a number of days
temperature inversion
winds that blow from West to East between 30° N and 60° N and 30° S and 60° S
Westerlies
Layers of the atmosphere are classified by these three things.
altitude, temperature, and composition
the uppermost layer where the atmosphere merges with space and where satellites orbit Earth
exosphere
What three things happen when Earth gets energy from the sun
Reflected back, absorbed by Earth, and absorbed by the atmosphere
Clean Air Act
These are light, calm winds at the equator that can cause sailboats without engines to be stranded
doldrums