Atmosphere Basics
The thin envelope of gases surrounding Earth that insulates and protects the planet
atmosphere
This gas makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere
What is nitrogen
The primary source of energy that drives Earth's atmospheric motions
The movement of air parallel to Earth's surface
What is wind
How many layers in the atmosphere
What are 4 layers
This gas makes up about 21% of the atmosphere and is essential for animal life
What is oxygen
As this increases (height above sea level), air pressure decreases
What is altitude
Air generally moves from these pressure areas toward these other pressure areas
What is high pressure to low pressure
This planet is colder than Earth because its atmosphere is very thin and cannot trap much heat
What is Mars
Together, nitrogen and oxygen account for about this percent of the atmosphere
What is 99%
A layer in the atmosphere that protects us against UV rays
What is the stratosphere
These small-scale winds result from unequal heating over short distances, such as between land and sea
What are local winds
This planet is hotter than Earth because its atmosphere is much thicker and traps more heat
What is Venus
Energy that travels through space from the Sun to Earth
what is radiation
Layers of gasses pressing on one another
What is air pressure
These large-scale winds form because of unequal heating between the equator and the poles
What are global winds
A type of gas available in the Stratosphere
What is Ozone
The transfer of heat when warm air rises and cool air sinks, forming winds
Convection currents
Name the instrument used to measure air pressure
what is a barometer
A layer in the atmosphere that has most of Earth's gases and weather changes in it.
What is the troposphere