Science Final - Weather and Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

What is the atmosphere?

A

the envelope of gases that surround the earth

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2
Q

what are the two most abundant gases in the atmosphere?

A

nitrogen and oxygen

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3
Q

why is the earths atmosphere important to all living things on earth?

A

it provides the gases that all living organisms need to survive

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4
Q

what happens to air pressure as you go up in the atmosphere?

A

it decreases

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5
Q

layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in what?

A

temperature

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6
Q

list the layers in order form earth to space

A

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere,

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7
Q

what is the lowest and shallowest layer of the atmosphere?

A

troposphere

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8
Q

in which layer does our weather occur?

A

troposphere

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9
Q

in which layer is the ozone layer found?

A

stratosphere

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10
Q

the ozone protects all living things on earth from what?

A

the suns ultraviolet rays

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11
Q

what is the layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere?

A

mesosphere

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12
Q

which layer protects earth from being hit by meteoroids?

A

mesosphere

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13
Q

what is the first layer of the atmosphere that an astronaut travels through during reentry from space?

A

exosphere

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14
Q

winds are caused by differences in what?

A

air pressure

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15
Q

what large clouds often produce thunderstorms?

A

cumulonimbus

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16
Q

what are very high, feathery clouds called?

A

cirrus

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17
Q

layered clouds that often cover much of the sky and are a dull gray color are called what?

A

stratus

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18
Q

what is precipitation?

A

any form of water that falls to the earth from clouds

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19
Q

cold, dry air that effects the northern United States in winter often come for what type of air masses?

A

continental polar

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20
Q

when a rapidly moving cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass what kind of front occurs?

A

cold front

21
Q

when a warm air mass and a cold air mass meet and either can move, the result is what kind of front?

A

stationery front

22
Q

a funnel shaped cloud that touches earth surface is called what?

A

tornado

23
Q

what are isobars and what do they correct?

A

lines on a weather map that connect areas of equal pressure

24
Q

on a weather map what do lines with half circles indicate?

A

warm front

25
Q

what kind of weather would a continental tropical air mass that formed over northern mexico bring to to the southwestern US?

A

Hot and Dry

26
Q

when a warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass, it forms what kind of front?

A

warm front

27
Q

thunderstorms form within what types of clouds?

A

cumulonimbus

28
Q

places shown on a weather map that have the same temperature are connected by what?

A

isotherm lines

29
Q

what is humidity?

A

a measure of humidity in the air

30
Q

what are sky conditions? how are they measured?

A

the state of the sky, in other words sky conditions describe the amount of cloud cover, the luminosity of the sun, and the visibility or clearness of the atmosphere. we use terms like clouds, partly cloudy, clear, and foggy to describe sky conditions

31
Q

what is weather?

A

the condition of earths atmosphere at a specific time and place

32
Q

what is climate?

A

the pattern of temperature and precipitation of an area over a long period of time

33
Q

what is barometric pressure?

A

the weight of the atmosphere over the earth

34
Q

how does the sun cause precipitation

A

it causes evaporation of the water on earths surface which enters the water cycle eventually returns to earth as precipitation

35
Q

how does the sun cause temperature

A

the suns rays heat earths surface

36
Q

how does the sun cause wind

A

the uneven heating of earths surface causes differences in pressure which lead to wind

37
Q

what is a high pressure system

A

a high pressure system is associated with cool and dry air, fair weather, sunny skies and light winds

38
Q

what is a low pressure system

A

a low pressure system is associated with warm and humid air, cloudy skies and strong winds

39
Q

what is the symbol for high pressure system?

A

Blue “H”

40
Q

what is the symbol for low pressure system?

A

Red “L”

41
Q

what type of weather is along cold front?

A

cool weather with rain/snow and the possibility of storm

42
Q

what type of weather is along a warm front?

A

warm, cloudy weather maybe a few light showers

43
Q

describe cirrus clouds and the type of weather they bring

A

thin, wispy clouds that form in front of a warm front and predict a change in weather

44
Q

describe stratus clouds and the type of weather they bring

A

uniform, grayish clouds, cover the entire sky, can release light mist/drizzle

45
Q

describe nimbostratus clouds and the type of weather they bring

A

dark gray clouds associated with continuous falling rain or snow

46
Q

describe cumulus clouds and the type of weather they bring

A

fluffy white clouds associated with fair weather

47
Q

describe cumulonimbus clouds and the type of weather they bring

A

thunderstorm clouds, associated with rain, snow, lightning and tornadoes

48
Q

what is an isotherm map?

A

a map of lines that connect areas of equal temperature