1.1 Flashcards
(35 cards)
major link b/w oceans and continents
atmosphere
lowest layer of atmosphere; all weather occcurs
troposphere
extends from the top of the troposphere
stratosphere
most meteors burn-up
mesosphere
many satellites
thermosphere
outermost layer
exosphere
not a distinct layer; series of regions
ionosphere
layers of atmosphere
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
exosphere
ionosphere
both a major catalyst and a balancing factor of atmosphere processes
water vapor content
amount of water vapor in atmosphere
humidity
mass of water vapor in a unit volume of air
absolute humidity
mass of water vapor compared to the total mass of air parcel
specific humidity
represents amount of water in air in percentage
relative humidity
has the ability to change from one state of matter to another
water vapor
aka latent energy or heat of transformation; energy released or absorbed by a body or thermodynamic system
latent heat
land is heated more rapidly than sea
insolation
air that descends because it is cool
high-pressure system
warm air rises and draws air inward toward the center of low pressure
low-pressure system
tops are rounded, puffy, and a brilliant white when sunlit. while their bottoms are flat and relatively dark.
cumulus clouds
hang low in the sky as flat, featureless, uniform layer of grayish cloud. resembles fog.
stratus clouds
occur in patches with blue sky visible in b/w; honeycomb apperance
stratocumulus clouds
white or gray patches; sheep backs; mackerel skies
altocumulus clouds
cover the sky in a dark gray layer; quintessential rain cloud
nimbostratus clouds
bluish-gray sheets
altostratus clouds
