STUDY GUIDE Chapter 15 Atmosphere
Name_________________________________Parent Signature________________________________
VOCABULARY:
Atmosphere A mixture of gases that surrounds Earth
Air pressure The measure of the force with which air molecules push on the surface.
Troposphere The lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature decrease at a
constant rate as altitude increases.
Stratosphere The layer of atmosphere that is above the troposphere and in which the
temperature increases as altitude increases
Mesosphere The layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the
thermosphere and which temperature decreases
Thermosphere
The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature
increases as altitude increases
Radiation
The transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves
Thermal conduction The transfer of energy as heat through a material
Convection
The movement of matter due to differences in density; the transfer of
energy due to the movement of matter.
Greenhouse Effect The warming of surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs
when water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb and reradiate thermal energy.
Global Warming
A gradual increase in average global temperature.
Wind The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure
Coriolis Effect
The apparent curving of the path of a moving object from an
otherwise straight path due to the Earth's rotation.
Trade Winds Prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 latitude almost to equator
Polar Easterlies
Prevailing winds that blow east to west between 60 & 90 degrees
latitude in both hemisphere
Westerlies
Prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 & 60 degrees
latitude in both hemispheres.
Jet Stream A narrow belt of strong winds that blow in the upper atmosphere.
Air Pollution The contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from
human and natural sources.
Acid Precipitation
Rain, sleet, and snow that contains a high concentration of acids
NOTES:

Air Pressure decrease as altitude (height) increases

We live in the Troposphere.

Stratosphere contains the Ozone Layer (protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun)

Mesosphere is the coldest layer

Thermosphere is the uppermost layer

Energy from the sun is transferred through the atmosphere by radiation, thermal
conduction, and convection

Winds blow from areas of high pressure to low pressure.

Pressure belts are found approximately every 30° of latitude

Global Winds include polar easterlies, westerlies, and trade winds
 Local Winds include sea and land breezes and mountain and valley breeze