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Atmosphere-Chapter 15-Vocabulary
Composition and stucture of Earth's atmosphere
22
Science
8th Grade
03/01/2010

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Term
WEATHER
Definition
The condition of the Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place.
Term
ATMOSPHERE
Definition
The layer of gases that surrounds the planet.
Term
OZONE
Definition
A form of oxygen that has 3 oxygen atoms in each molecule.
Term
WATER VAPOR
Definition
Water in the form of a gas.
Term
POLLUTANTS
Definition
The harmful substances in the air, water or soil.
Term
PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
Definition
A brown haze that forms in cities because of the action of sunlight on chemicals in the atmosphere.
Term
TEMPERATURE INVERSION
Definition
When a layer of warm air prevents polluted air from rising away from the city.
Term
ACID RAIN
Definition
Rain that contains more acid than normal becuase pollutants in the air combine with water to form acids.
Term
DENSITY
Definition
The amount of mass in a given volume.
Term
PRESSURE
Definition
The force pushing on a given area or surface.
Term
AIR PRESSURE
Definition
The force of a column of air pushing down on an area.
Term
BAROMETERS
Definition
Instruments that are used to measure changes in air pressure.
Term
MERCURY BAROMETER
Definition
A barometer made of a glass tube open at the bottom and partially filled with mercury. Changes in air pressure move the mercury up and down the glass tube.
Term
ANEROID BAROMETER
Definition
An airtight container that is sensitive to changes in air pressure. Changes in the shape of the container move the needle to record the pressure changes.
Term
ALTITUDE
Definition
The distance above or below sea level. Also called elevation.
Term
TROPOSPHERE
Definition
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. Where weather occurs.
Term
STRATOSPHERE
Definition
The 2nd layer of the atmosphere. It extends to 50 km above the Earth and ozone at the top of this layer absorbs UV radiation. The top of this layer is warm.
Term
MESOSPHERE
Definition
The 3rd layer or "middle" layer of the atmosphere. 50-80 km above the Earth. This layer is getting colder.
Term
THERMOSPHERE
Definition
The outermost layer of the atmosphere. No definite edge. 80+ km and out into space. Very thin air. Very HOT!
Term
IONOSPHERE
Definition
The lower part of the thermosphere. Composed of ions ( + and - charged particles)
Term
EXOSPHERE
Definition
The outermost layer of the thermosphere. Satellites orbit in the exosphere.
Term
AURORA BOREASIS
Definition
A brilliant light display in the ionosphere. Also called the Northern Lights.
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