Chapter 1- Earth and Its Atmosphere

Explain how the atmosphere protects inhabitants at Earth's surface.

It absorbs most of the potentially harmful solar ultraviolet radiation which would otherwise reach the surface of the earth. This function is performed primarily by ozone (O3) in the stratosphere.

What is the primary source of energy for Earth's atmosphere?

The sun

Of the four most abundant gasses in our atmosphere, which one shows the greatest variation at earth's surface?

Water Vapor

List the two most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere. What makes them greenhouse gases?

Water vapor and carbon dioxide- the strongly absorb a portion of Earth's outgoing radiant energy and trap heat energy

What are some of the important roles that water plays in our atmosphere?

Water vapor releases large amounts of latent heat when it changes from vapor to liquid water or ice. Latent heat is an important source of atmospheric energy.

What are some of the aerosols in our atmosphere?

nitrogen dioxide & carbon monoxide,

List the four most abundant gases in today's atmosphere.

nitrogen, oxygen, argon, water vapor

What is latent heat?

the heat required to convert a solid into a liquid or vapor, or a liquid into a vapor, without change of temperature.