Chapter 15 Vocabulary Hannah Mansfield November 14, 2007 T-4

Weather The state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, ect.

A Weather Map in the United States on November 14, 2007

Atmosphere The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth, the air.

Ozone A form of oxygen, O 3 with a peculiar odor suggesting that of weak chlorine produced when an electric spark or ultra violet light is passed through air or oxygen. It is found in the atmosphere in minute quantities.

Where the Ozone is Located

Water Vapor and a Picture of Water Vapor coming off of Mt. Erebus A dispersion,in the air, of molecules of water, esp. As produced by evaporation at ambient temperatures rather than by boiling.

Pollutant Any substance, as certain chemicals or waste products, that renders the air, soil, water, or other natural resource harmful or unsuitable for a specific purpose.

Photochemical Smog Air pollution containing ozone and other reactive chemical compounds formed by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides and hydro carbons, esp. those in automobile exhaust.

Temperature Inversion Reversal in the normal temperature lapse rate, the temperature rising with increased elevation instead of falling.

Acid Rain Precipitation, as rain, snow, or sleet containing relatively high concentrations of acid forming chemicals.

Density The state or quality of being dense; compactness; closely set or crowded condition.

Pressure and Air Pressure The exertion of force upon a surface by an object, fluid, ect, in contact with it. The face exerted by air, whether compressed or unconfined, on any surface in contact with it.

Barometer An instrument that measures air pressure.

Mercury Barometer A barometer in which the weight of a column of mercury in a glass tube with a sealed top is balanced against that of the atmosphere pressing on an exposed cistern of mercury at the base of the mercury column, the height of the column varying with atmospheric pressure.

Aneroid Barometer A device for measuring atmospheric pressure, often specially calibrated for use as an altimeter, consisting of a box or chamber partially exhausted of air, having an elastic top and a pointer to indicate the degree of compression on the top caused by the external air.

Altitude The height of anything above a given planetary reference plane, esp. above sea level on earth

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Thermosphere Troposphere:The lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. Were cloud formations and weather occur. Stratosphere: The second lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere; the ozone layer is located in the upper stratosphere. Mesosphere:The middle layer of Earth’s atmosphere; the layer in which most meteoroids burn up. It is the coldest layer. Thermosphere: The outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. It is the hottest layer.

The Layers of the Atmosphere

Ionosphere The lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found.

Aurora Borealis A colorful, glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere; also called the northern lights.

Exosphere The highest region of the atmosphere, where the air density is very low. It is located on the outer layer of the thermosphere extending outward towards space.