1. Portrait Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
greenhouse gas
gas that can absorb and emit thermal energy
aerosols
microscopic solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere
cloud droplets
microscopic drops of liquid water found in clouds
air pressure
force exerted by molecules of air against a surface
troposphere
lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from Earth’s surface up to about 12km, where all weather occurs.
stratosphere
atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends between about 12 and 50km above Earth’s surface and has a permanent temperature inversion.
temperature inversion
layer of the atmosphere in which air temperature increases with increased height
mesosphere
layer of the atmosphere between 50 and 80 km above the surface
environmental lapse rate
rate of cooling with increasing altitude in the troposphere. the average environmental lapse rate is 6.5°C per 1 000 m.
tropopause
boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere
UV radiation
solar radiation that is shorter than visible wavelengths
ozonosphere
region of the stratosphere with high concentrations of ozone molecules that block ultraviolet radiation
ionosphere
region of the upper mesosphere and the thermospere between about 80 and 500km where gases are ionized by solar energy.
Aurora borealis/australis
displays of light caused by energized molecules in the ionosphere
air pollution
harmful concentrations of gases or aerosols in the atmosphere