Layers of the Atmosphere
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where we live and where most weather occurs.
What is the troposphere?
The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight traveling to Earth.
What is radiation?
The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor and condensation can begin.
What is dew point?
Steady winds that blow from east to west toward the equator in tropical regions.
What are trade winds?
A large body of air that has similar temperature and humidity throughout.
What is an air mass?
The second layer of the atmosphere, which contains the ozone layer that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
What is the stratosphere?
The transfer of heat through the movement of liquids or gases, where warmer material rises and cooler material sinks.
What is convection?
The amount of water vapor present in the air.
What is humidity?
Winds that generally blow from west to east in the middle latitudes.
What are prevailing westerlies?
The boundary where two air masses with different temperatures and humidity meet.
What is a front?
The third layer of the atmosphere, where most meteors burn up.
What is the mesosphere?
The height of an object or location above sea level.
What is altitude?
The percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount it could hold at that temperature.
What is relative humidity?
Cold winds that generally blow from east to west near Earth's poles.
What are the polar easterlies?
An area where atmospheric pressure is higher than surrounding areas, often bringing clear, dry weather.
What is high pressure?
A layer of the atmosphere with extremely high temperatures where auroras occur.
What is the Thermosphere?
The force exerted by the weight of air pushing down on a surface.
What is air pressure?
Thin, wispy clouds that form high in the atmosphere and are made mostly of ice crystals.
What is cirrus?
A narrow band of very strong winds high in the atmosphere that influences weather patterns.
What is the jet stream?
An area where atmospheric pressure is lower than surrounding areas, often bringing clouds and precipitation.
What is low pressure?
A gas made of three oxygen atoms (O₃) that helps protect Earth from harmful UV radiation.
What is ozone?
An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure and help predict changes in weather.
What is barometers?
A cloud-related term indicating precipitation; often combined with other cloud names, such as nimbostratus.
What is nimbus?
An instrument used to measure wind speed.
What is an anemometer?
The ring of intense thunderstorms surrounding a hurricane's eye, containing its strongest winds.
What is an eye wall?