Layers of the Atmosphere
Atmosphere is divided into layers based on changes in this.
Temperature
Wind always moves from areas of ___ pressure to areas of ___ pressure.
High to Low
A large body of air that takes on the temperature and humidity of the area it forms over.
Air mass
These wind belts blow from east to west near the equator and are used by sailors to cross oceans.
Trade Winds
These gases in the atmosphere trap heat and warm Earth's surface.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
This is why the atmosphere gets thinner as you go higher — there are fewer of these.
Air/ Gas Molecules
This type of pressure system is associated with clear, sunny skies.
High pressure
This type of front forms when a cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass, often bringing thunderstorms.
Cold Front
These winds affect most of the continental United States and blow from west to east.
Prevailing Westerlies
This human activity releases the most CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Burning Fossil Fuels
The stratosphere actually gets warmer as you go up — this is what causes that.
Ozone layer absorbing UV raditation
Air pressure does this as you move higher in altitude.
Decrease
This type of front brings long periods of light rain and clouds as it slowly moves in.
Warm front
Global wind patterns are caused by the unequal heating of Earth and this.
Coriolis Effect (Earth Rotation)
The Keeling Curve shows that CO₂ levels have done this since 1958.
Increased / Go up
The northern lights (auroras) are caused when charged particles from the sun collide with these in the thermosphere, causing them to glow.
Gas Molecules
The unequal heating of Earth's surface by the sun is the main cause of this.
Wind
When two air masses meet but neither moves, this type of front forms.
Stationary Front
This fast-moving band of air high in the atmosphere helps move weather systems across North America.
The Jet Stream
When oceans absorb excess CO₂, this happens to the water — making it harmful to coral reefs and shellfish.
Ocean Acidification (becomes more acidic)
As you move up through the troposphere, temperature does this.
Decreases / Gets colder
Near the equator, warm air rises and creates a low pressure zone — this causes what general type of weather?
Wet / Rainy Weather
This type of front is the most dangerous and forms when a fast-moving cold front catches up to a warm front, forcing warm air rapidly upward.
Occuluded front
In winter, this shift in the jet stream's position brings colder weather to the United States.
Jet Stream Moves South
This solution to climate change involves planting trees and restoring forests to absorb CO₂.
Reforestation