Chapter 11 Vocabulary

Front

humidity

Back

amount of water vapor per volume of air, often measured in grams of water per cubic meter of air.

Front

relative humidity

Back

amount of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a given temperature before becoming saturated (filled).

Front

dew point

Back

temperature at which air becomes fully saturated with water vapor and condensation forms.

Front

Ozone

Back

A form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two.

Front

Troposphere

Back

0-17 km above Earth's surface, site of weather, organisms, contains most atmospheric water vapor. (temperature decreases with increasing altitude, pressure decreases)

Front

Stratosphere

Back

12 to 50 km, Ozone held here, absorbs UV radiation

Front

Mesosphere

Back

3rd layer of the atmosphere 50 to 80 km, most meteorites burn up here The layer of Earth's atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere

Front

Thermosphere

Back

The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases

Front

exosphere

Back

The outer layer of the thermosphere, extending outward into space.

Front

Radiation

Back

Energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles.