Atmosphere 1. Earths atmosphere is composed of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. Water vapor can be up to .5%

2. There are 5 layers of the atmosphere. Exosphere – space, cold Thermosphere – Very warm Mesosphere – Cold, where meteors burn up Stratosphere – contains jet stream & ozone layer, warmer than mesosphere. Troposphere – 75% of air, weather, clouds, & pollution

3. Ionosphere A layer of electrically charged particles. Allow radio waves to be transferred around the world.

4. Ozone Layer A large concentration of Ozone gas that protects earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation

5. Ultraviolet Radiation Light energy that comes from the sun and is known to cause skin cancer.

6. Chlorofluorocarbons Also know as CFC’s, is a group of chemical compounds. Found in refrigerators, aerosol sprays, and foam packaging. Destroys Ozone

7. Radiation The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.

8. Conduction The transfer of energy that occurs when molecules bump into one another.

9. Convection The transfer of heat by the flow of a heated material.

10. Hydrosphere All the water that is found on Earth’s surface.

11. Of all water on earth: 97% is saltwater 3% is freshwater

12. Water Cycle The constant journey of water on earth

13. Evaporation The process of water changing from a liquid to a gas

14. Condensation The process of water vapor changing to a liquid.

15. Precipitation When water droplets become to large to stay in the atmosphere and fall to earth.

16. Runoff The flow of water, from rain, snow, or other sources over land.

17. Percolation The movement and filtering of fluids through a porous material. This water becomes groundwater.

18. Coriolis Effect Changes the direction of all free-moving objects and creates wind patterns across the world. Created by earths rotation

19. Surface Winds Trade Winds – winds just north or south of the equator, move air from east to west. Prevailing Westerlies – winds that move weather over the USA! Move air west to east Polar Easterlies – move air over the poles from east to west

20. Doldrums Windless zones at the equator Wind moves straight up

21. Jet Stream Narrow belt of strong winds that blow near the top of the troposphere.

22. Sea breezes Cool breezes during the day caused by differences in temperature of land and sea.

23. Land breezes Cool breezes at night caused by differences in temperature of land and sea.