Chapter 3 Flashcards
(32 cards)
Earth’s atmosphere is composed of 3 layers…
Composition
Temperature
Function
At sea level, atmospheric pressure is…
*1013.2 mb or 29.92 in. Hg
Heterosphere
Outer atmosphere in terms of composition, gases are not evenly mixed but sorted by gravity according to atomic weight
Homosphere
Inner atmosphere in terms of composition, gases are uniform, no distinct layers
Heterosphere location
80 km and above
Homosphere location
Earth’s surface to 80 km
Two most important greenhouse gases…
CO2 and water vapor
Four distinct temperature zones (high-low)
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Known as the “heat sphere”
Thermosphere
The upper limit of the thermosphere…
Thermopause
The upper boundary of the mesosphere…
Mesopause
The mesopause is…
Cold on top and warm near bottom
The upper boundary of the stratosphere…
Stratopause
What layer is found in the stratosphere?
Ozone layer
The upper boundary of the troposphere (2)…
Tropopause - polar and equatorial
What percentage of the mass of the atmosphere is found in the troposphere?
90%
Weather occurs here
Troposphere
Decrease in temperature with increase in altitude at an average of 6.4 degrees Celsius/1000m
Normal Lapse Rate
Actual local lapse rate. This will vary by area.
Environmental Lapse Rate
Two main spheres
Ionosphere & Ozonosphere
Extends throughout themosphere and into upper mesosphere
Ionosphere
Absorbs cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays, and some UV rays
Ionosphere
The auroras occur within this layer
Ionosphere
Portion of the stratosphere that contains increased concentrations of ozone
Ozonosphere
