Vocabulary
A measure of the energy of random motion in a substance's molecules
Temperature
This is the outermost layer of the atmosphere that starts around 600 km above Earth's surface and merges with space around 10,000 km.
Exosphere
Convection is the transfer of heat energy from molecule to molecule by contact
False (conduction)
A _________ measures atmospheric pressure.
Barometer.
In the troposphere, the temperature _________ as the altitude increases.
decreases
The pressure the atmosphere exerts on all objects within it.
Atmospheric pressure
This layer is from about 50-80 km above the Earth's surface. Temps get colder as altitude increases. Meteoroids tend to burn up in this layer.
Mesosphere
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy by waves through air or empty space.
True
Convection is the transfer of heat energy through a liquid or gas by ________.
Currents
How does the atmosphere protect life on Earth?
as a barrier to stop meteors and high radiation, as well as a filter for much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation
The process by which certain gases trap heat that radiates from Earth
Greenhouse effect
The beginning of the heterosphere, and much of the sun's UV radiation is absorbed here. As a result, the temperature in this layer increases with increasing altitude.
Thermosphere
The aurora borealis is a light display that can be seen in the northern and southern hemispheres.
False (only northern. Southern = aurora australis)
________ currents contribute to the formation of clouds.
convection (pg. 457)
Why don't you feel atmospheric pressure pushing on you?
... there is equal pressure pushing on you in all directions, including from inside of you. So the equal and opposite forces cancel each other.
This layer extends from about 11 - 50 km and is mostly oxygen. The ozone layer is found here. Temps are steady at about -60 C to the ozone layer and then rise to about 0 C.
Oxygen is the most abundant gas in the air
False (nitrogen)
A thermometer actually measures the average _______ of the molecules in a substance.
Speed. In other words, it measures the energy of the molecules in a substance.
How many pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure are in 1 atmosphere (atm)?
14.7 psi @sea level
The mass of air surrounding a planet
Atmosphere
This layer is from the Earth's surface to an average of 11 km. It is mostly nitrogen and is where most of our weather occurs. Temps decrease with altitude.
Troposphere
Carbon dioxide and oxygen are essential for life on Earth.
True
______ ______ are generally less expensive to send to space than piloted space vehicles. They can be in space for a longer duration as well.
Space probes.
Two cold bricks are put in contact with one another. The first one has a temperature of -1 and the other, -10. Explain if there is heat in this system and how it will be transferred.
Energy will flow from the warmer brick to the colder brick by conduction, since they are touching.