What are the 3 "permanent" gases in the atmosphere Correct Ans -
nitrogen (N2, 78%), Oxygyn (O2, 20%), Argon (Ar, 1%)
What are the four "variable gases in the atmosphere? Correct Ans -
Water Vapor (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ozone (O3), Methane (CH4)
What are the layers of the atmosphere starting with the Earth's surface and
moving upwards? Correct Ans - 1. Troposphere 2. Stratosphere 3.
Mesosphere 4. Thermosphere
How are layers of the atmosphere generally differentiated? Correct Ans -
by the changing relationship between temperature and height above the
surface
Where does all weather occur? Correct Ans - troposphere
which layer comprises approximately 80% of the atmosphere by mass?
Correct Ans - troposphere
The troposphere extends from the surface appr. 15 km, where does this height
vary Correct Ans - (varies by season and latitude) higher in tropics (low
latitudes, 20 km) lower in polar regions (high latitudes, 8km)
temperature lapse Correct Ans - temperature decreases with height
(warm at the surface, cold aloft)
what is the tropopause? Correct Ans - upper limit of the troposphere,
where temp stops decreasing with increasing height
what is the next layer above the troposphere Correct Ans - stratosphere
the stratosphere extends appr how many km above sea level Correct Ans
- 50 km
isothermal Correct Ans - area in stratosphere where temperature
remains the same with increasing altitude (lower stratosphere)
, inversion Correct Ans - where temperature begins to increase with
increasing height (mid and upper stratosphere)
stratopause Correct Ans - upper limit of stratosphere (altitude above the
surface which temp begins decreasing with increasing height)
what is the source of heat in the stratosphere? Correct Ans - Ozone
(absorbs ultraviolet solar radiation resulting in increase temp)
energy Correct Ans - the capacity to do work
kinetic energy Correct Ans - energy of motion, radiation, internal heat,
electricity (temperature is related to the internal heat content of an object)
potential energy Correct Ans - e.g. chemical potential energy
joule Correct Ans - SI unit of energy
"Power" Correct Ans - rate of energy expenditure
watt Correct Ans - unit for power (= 1 joule per second)
conduction Correct Ans - transfer of heat by molecular collision within a
solid object
convection Correct Ans - transfer of heat by molecular movement within
fluid
radiation Correct Ans - transfer of heat by electromagnetic radiation
1st law of thermodynamics Correct Ans - energy is not lost nor
destroyed in the transfer process
2nd law of thermodynamics Correct Ans - the net transfer is always in
the direction from a higher temp body or region to a lower temp
electromagnetic radiation Correct Ans - a fundamental aspect of ALL
matter (everything that has a temp greater than absolute 0 radiates EM
energy)