Layers Of The Atmosphere
Define Troposphere
Where we breathe, experience weather, and where airplanes fly.
Define Front
Boundary between two air masses with different properties, such as temperature and humidity
Define Humidity
The amount of water vapor present in the air
Define Thermometer
Instrument used to measure temperature
Define Atmosphere
The gaseous envelope surrounding a planet, celestial body, or object, held in place by gravity
Define Stratosphere
Protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun. The stratosphere is also where commercial airplanes fly, as there's less turbulence and weather compared to the troposphere.
Define Cold Front
The forward edge of an advancing mass of cold air that pushes under a mass of warm air.
Define Relative Humidity
Measures the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage
Define Psychrometer
A device that measures air humidity
Define Ozone layer
This protective layer helps shield the planet's surface from dangerous UV rays that can damage living organisms.
Define Mesosphere
Where most meteors burn up, creating the streaks of light we call shooting stars. It's the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
Define Warm Front
The boundary between a warm air mass and a colder air mass, where the warmer air is gradually displacing the colder air.
Define Water Vapor
The gaseous form of water, typically invisible and found in the atmosphere
Define Anemometer
Instrument that measures speed and wind pressure
Define Density
A measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume
Define Thermosphere
It's very hot, absorbing the sun's energy and heating up. Think of it as a very high-altitude layer of our atmosphere, where the air is thin and the temperatures can get very high.
Define Pressure System
An area of high or low atmospheric pressure compared to the surrounding air
Define Saturated
A physical or chemical situation where a system can take no more of a substance
Define Barometer
A scientific instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure
Define Air Pressure
The force exerted by air molecules pushing against a surface
Define Exosphere
The very edge of our planet's air, where it starts to blend into the vast emptiness of space.
Define High Pressure System
An area where air pressure is higher than the surrounding area, often associated with sinking air, light winds, and clear, fair weather.
Define Air Mass
A large body of air with generally uniform temperature and humidity
Define Altitude
The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
Define Elevation
Height above a given level, especially sea level.