Atmosphere Layers
The lowest layer, where weather phenomena like clouds and storms occur.
What is the Troposphere
Water from the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, rivers, soil) evaporates into water vapor, a gas, and rises into the atmosphere.
What is Evaporation
Blow from the northeast and southeast towards the equator.
What are the Trade Winds
These are intense tropical cyclones with strong winds and heavy rainfall, often causing widespread damage and flooding.
What are Hurricanes
This involves heat transfer through direct contact between objects or within a material. Ex. A metal spoon in a hot pot will heat up
What is Conduction
This layer contains the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful UV radiation.
What is the Stratosphere
As the water vapor rises and cools, it condenses (changes back to liquid) to form clouds.
What is Condensation
Blow from the west towards the east, between 30 and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
What are the Westerlies
These are rapidly rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground, capable of causing significant destruction
What are Tornadoes
Heat is transferred through electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum. Ex. The sun warming the earth
What is Radiation
The coldest layer, where meteors burn up.
What is the mesosphere
When the water droplets in clouds become too heavy, they fall back to the Earth, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
What is Precipitation
Blow from the east towards the west, originating from the poles and extending to 60 degrees latitude.
These storms are characterized by lightning, thunder, and often heavy rainfall, and can also produce hail and strong winds.
This type of heat transfer relies on the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). Ex. Hot air rising above a fire
What is Convection
A very hot layer where the temperature increases with height, but the air is still very thin.
What is the Thermosphere
Surface water, like rivers and streams, also flows towards larger bodies of water, contributing to the collection
What is Runoff
The Earth's rotation deflects moving air, causing winds to curve.
What is the Coriolis Effect
These can be caused by heavy rainfall, melting snow, or dam failures, leading to widespread inundation and damage.
What are Floods
Two objects in physical contact with each other no longer exchange any heat, meaning they have the same temperature.
What is Thermal Equilibrium
The outermost layer, gradually merging with outer space.
What is the Exosphere
Plants also contribute to the water cycle by releasing water vapor into the atmosphere.
What is Transpiration
Causes wind
What is the Temperature and Pressure Differences
This includes snowstorms, blizzards, and ice storms, which can disrupt travel, cause power outages, and damage infrastructure.
What are Winter Storms
The energy that comes from the heated up substance; As motion increases, more energy is produced; The hotter the substance, the more its particles move;
What is Thermal Energy