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