Investigation 3.2 ~ The Atmosphere
meteorologist
a scientist who studies the weather
wind
air in motion
weather variables
data that meteorologists measure; these include temperature, wind speed and direction, air pressure, cloud cover, and precipitation
radiation
energy that travels through air and space as waves
last layer of the atmosphere farthest from Earth's surface
exosphere
layer of atmosphere where airplanes fly
stratosphere
layer of atmosphere where weather balloons float
stratosphere
ozone layer
stratosphere
second layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface
stratosphere
weather
the condition of the air around us; heat, moisture, and movement are three important variables that determine weather
air pressure
the force exerted on a surface by the mass of the air around or in contact with it
pressure
the force or push caused by moving molecules
atmosphere
the layer of gases surrounding Earth; the layers include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere
exosphere
the layer of the atmosphere above the thermosphere; this is the layer where the transition from the atmosphere to space lies
air
the mixture of gases surrounding Earth
thermosphere
the region of the atmosphere above the mesosphere
mesosphere
the region of the atmosphere above the stratosphere
stratosphere
the region of the atmosphere beyond the troposphere; the ozone layer is here
troposphere
the region of the atmosphere that begins at Earth's surface and extends upward for 9 to 20 km; weather happens here
fourth layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface
thermosphere
layer of atmosphere where the International Space Station orbits
thermosphere
layer of atmosphere where the Northern Lights appear
thermosphere
first layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface
troposphere
layer of atmosphere where humans live
troposphere
layer of atmosphere where weather occurs
troposphere
humidity
water vapor in the air
layer of atmosphere where meteors burn up
mesosphere
third layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface
mesosphere