The Atmosphere (Quizlet Live)

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone in the atmosphere which are involved in the greenhouse effect.

oxygen

Oxygen forms about 21 percent of the earth's atmosphere, and is the most abundant element in the earth's crust

ozone layer

Protective layer in atmosphere that shields earth from UV radiation.

auroras

Sometimes called Northern Lights. It is the result of the emissions of photons in the thermosphere

carbon dioxide

a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis

nitrogen

a colorless, odorless unreactive gas that forms about 78 percent of the earth's atmosphere.

ionosphere

a sub-layer of the thermosphere containing ions.

weather

he state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

ozone

is made up of three oxygen molecules and is what protects us from the sun's harmful UV radiation

atmosphere

the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.

altitude

the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.

thermosphere

the layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are the highest in the atmosphere. The increasing temperature is due to the strong influence of solar activity.

mesosphere

the layer of the atmosphere just above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It is the coldest part of the atmosphere and meteors burn up in this layer.

stratosphere

the layer of the atmosphere just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. There is a temperature inversion due to the ozone layer which absorbs most of the sun's UV radiation.

troposphere

the layer of the atmosphere that is nearest to the Earth's surface. It is where most weather changes occur. It is the thinnest layer yet contains half of the Earth's atmosphere.

greenhouse effect

the phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane.

exosphere

upper limit of the atmosphere where the atoms and molecules blend into space.