7. the atmosphere and human activities

Question 1

tropopause

Answer 1

the upper limit of the troposphere

Question 2

temperature inversion

Answer 2

when temperature increases with altitude

Question 3

stratopause

Answer 3

upper limit of the stratosphere where temperatures remain constant

Question 4

mesopause

Answer 4

upper limit of the smesosphere where temperatures remain constant

Question 5

thermopause

Answer 5

upper limit of the thermosphere where temperatures remain constant

Question 6

shortwave radiation

Answer 6

incoming solar radiation, visible light and ultraviolet radiation are commonly

Question 7

longwave radiation

Answer 7

outgoing or terrestrial radiation as the earth produces very little visible light or ultraviolet radiation all radiation from the earth is infrared

Question 8

primary pollutant

Answer 8

a pollutant that is emitted directly from the source

Question 9

secondary pollutant

Answer 9

pollutant that forms through chemical reactions with primary pollutants

Question 10

photochemical smog

Answer 10

air pollution in the atmosphere accompanied by high levels of ozone and nitrogen oxides from vehicles and caused by the action of sunlight on the pollutants

Question 11

volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Answer 11

chemicals that easily enter the atmosphere as gases, mainly from evaporation

Question 12

polar vortex

Answer 12

a circulation of strong upper level winds that surround Antarctica and keep cold air locked in above the continent