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ch 10 Atmosphere in Motion
atmosphere and weather
43
Science
6th Grade
10/30/2007

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Term
atmosphere
Definition
the layer of gases that surround the Earth which are necessary to support life
Term
main elements in the atmosphere
Definition
"Mostly Nitrogen & Oxygen, with traces of Argon, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Xenon, Hydrogen"
Term
2 main compounds found in the atmosphere
Definition
"Water Vapor, and Carbon Dioxide"
Term
What is an aerosol?
Definition
"solids like dust, salt, and pollen which water vapor clings to as it condenses creating clouds"
Term
name the 5 layers of the atmosphere in order
Definition
"Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere"
Term
Properties of the troposphere
Definition
"Closest to Earth, 0-10 km, most of the matter in the atmosphere; clouds and weather are located here; temps decrease as altitude increases"
Term
Properties of the stratosphere
Definition
10-50 km; contains the ozone layere which absorbs some of the Sun's radiation; temps increase
Term
Properties of the Mesoosphere
Definition
"50-85 km; no ozone to absorb radiation, so temps drop to lowest level in the atmosphere"
Term
Properties of the Thermosphere
Definition
85-500km; thickest layer; temps increase to highest amount 1700 degrees C; filters out - and gamma rays
Term
Ionosphere
Definition
made of part of the mesosphere and thermosphere; reflects radio waves making long distance communication possible
Term
Exosphere
Definition
"last outermost layer; few atoms of anything; space starts in this layer, but no real boundary."
Term
water cycle Hydrological)
Definition
"a never ending process that keeps water in constant motion. Powered by the Sun, it includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection"
Term
Evaporation
Definition
process of changing liquid water to gaseous water as in the water cycle
Term
Transpiration
Definition
water vapor given off by plants and plant leaves
Term
Condensation
Definition
process of changing a gas back into a liquid caused by a decrease in energy
Term
precipitation
Definition
"process when drops of water or ice crystal become to big and fall out out clouds. Can be rain, sleet, hail, snow, or freezing rain"
Term
Weather
Definition
describes the current conditions of the atmosphere
Term
6 factors of weather
Definition
"things that can ccause weather to change included: temperature; cloud cover; wind speed and direction;humidity, and air pressure "
Term
Meteorologist
Definition
person who has the job of monitoring and forecasting the weather
Term
Temperature
Definition
a measurement that describes how fast or slow air molecules are moving
Term
thermometer
Definition
tool used to measure temperature;
Term
Radiation
Definition
transfer of energy that can occur through empty space and does not involve collision or movement of molecules; the Sun heats the Earth through process of radiation
Term
Conduction
Definition
transfer of heat from warmer substance to a cooler substance by contact
Term
Convection
Definition
transfer of heat through currents; warmer to cooler cycle
Term
Humidity
Definition
the amount of moisture or water vapor in the atmosphere
Term
Dew point
Definition
the point in which the air is holding as much water vapor as it can and is saturated (full)
Term
Relative Humidity
Definition
a measure of the amount of water vapor that is present COMPARED to the amount that could be held at a specific temperature
Term
Cloud formation
Definition
" occurs when air rises, cools, and condenses onto small particles in the atmosphere; basically masses of waterdroplets or ice crystals"
Term
some Low clouds are
Definition
"Nimbostratus; Cumulus, Stratus; Stratocumulus"
Term
Some Middle clouds are
Definition
altostratus; cumulonimbus; altocumulus
Term
Some High cloulds are
Definition
"cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus"
Term
Forms of precipitation
Definition
"rain, sleet, snow, hail, freezing rain"
Term
Anemometer
Definition
science tool used to measure wind speed
Term
Wind
Definition
"is created by air moving from one temperature or pressure to another. The greater the temperature or pressure, the stronger the wind speed will be."
Term
Coriolis effect
Definition
" due to the rotation of the Earth, moving air in the Northern hemisphere is deflected to the right ( or left if in the So. Hemisphere)"
Term
Air Mass
Definition
large body of air that develops over a particular region
Term
Front
Definition
the boundary line between two masses of different temperatures
Term
Cold Front
Definition
cold air mass pushes under a warmer air mass. The result pushes the warmer air up and thunderstorms develop
Term
Warm Front
Definition
warmer air mass slides up and over a colder air mass
Term
Stationary Front
Definition
"warmer air mass and colder air mass collide, but neither one advances up and over the other"
Term
Occulded Front
Definition
colder air mass takes over a slower moving warmer air mass;
Term
Tornado
Definition
a violent whirling wind that moves in a narrow path; can be rated as F1 to F5; a low pressure storm
Term
Hurricane
Definition
a large storm that begins as an area of low pressure over a tropical ocean of very warm water; can last for a week or more at a time.
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