Layers of Earth's Atmosphere
Density
Air Masses & Weather
Earth's Energy Budget
Seasons
100

The first layer of the atmosphere, closest to Earth's surface.

What is the troposphere?

100

Write the density equation.

Density = mass / volume

100

What two factors are similar throughout an air mass?

Temperature & Moisture (humidity)

100

Define 'Albedo'

Name an object with a really high albedo

reflective ability of an object

high albedo: sand, snow, ice, light colored surfaces

100

Which of the following results in different seasons throughout the year:

a. distance from the sun

b. Earth's tilted axis

c. the Sun's changing temperature

d. the Sun's changing brightness

b. Earth's tilted axis

200

Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world reaching 8,848.9 m

What layer of the atmosphere are you in if you reach the peak of Everest?

troposphere

200

An object has a mass of 548g and a volume of 32cm3. Calculate the density (use units for full credit)

17.125 g/cm3

200

Describe the characteristics of an air mass that originates from high latitudes on land.

Continental Polar (cP) / dry and cold

200

Earth's energy budget describes the balance between...

energy Earth receives from the sun and energy emitted/lost back into space.

200

Earth's tilt (in degrees)

23.5°

300

The boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere is called...

stratopause

300

Describe how temperature affects density.

"As temperature _, density _."

As temperature increases, density decreases.

As temperature decreases, density increases.

300

This type of front results in extreme weather like heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornados, etc.

cold front

300

The sun emits ___wave energy to Earth

The earth emits ___wave energy back into space

short

long

300

What would happen to Earth's climate if it were not tilted.

Constant temperatures/hours of daylight throughout the year.

400
How do scientists determine the boundaries between the layers of the atmosphere?

When the trend of temperature changes.

400

An unknown liquid has a density of 48g/mL. Your graduated cylinder tells you that you have 8.5 mL; how many grams of the liquid is in the cylinder?

408 g

48g/mL = m / 8.5 mL

400

Wind results from differences in ___, which flows from areas of high ___ to areas with low ___ 

(all blanks are the same)

air pressure

400

Does all of the Sun's energy get absorbed by Earth's surface? 

No, some energy is reflected by the atmosphere, clouds, and Earth's surface.

400

What season is Earth farthest from the sun

Summer

500

Which layer of the atmosphere is the hottest?

thermosphere

500

What is convection and how does it relate to temperature?

Convection causes liquid or gas (a fluid) to heat up, expand, and decrease in density. This causes movement of the liquid or gas in a convection current.

Warmer = less dense, will rise to the top

500

Describe the Coriolis Effect in the northern and southern hemispheres, and why it happens. 

Due to Earth's rotation, air is deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

500

Earth's surface emits energy back into the atmosphere in the form of...

heat!

500

The word we use for the day(s) that have relatively equal amounts of daylight & night

Equinox (Spring/Vernal & Autumnal)