Chapter 17: Vocabulary

Ozone

• A molecule of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms
• (Pic is of the "Ozone Barrier During Antarctic Winter")

Troposphere

• The lowermost layer of the atmosphere
• It is generally characterized by a decrease in temperature with height

Stratosphere

• The layer of the atmosphere immediately above the troposphere
• Characterized by increasing temperatures with height, due to the concentration of ozone

Mesosphere

• The layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere
• Characterized by decreasing temperatures with height

Thermosphere

• The region of atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere
• Characterized by increasing temperatures due to absorption of very short-wave solar energy by oxygen

Heat

• The energy transferred from one object to another because of a difference in their temperatures
• (Background because you get heat from a candle, of course)

Temperature

• A measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms or molecules in a substance
• (Background of a temperature)

Conduction

• The transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity
• (Conduction is through objects with heat, ergo people around a candle)

Convection

• The transfer of heat by mass movement or circulation within a substance
• (Convection occurs within an oven)

Radiation

• The transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves
• (Solar radiation)

Scattering

• The redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere
• Result is more light rays with weaker intensity
• (Pic represents light spreading, although this isn't how it actually works)

Albedo

• The fraction of total radiation that is reflected by any surface

Isotherm

• A line that connects points that have the same temperature (more than one of these, "Isothermal Map")
• (Pic of isothermal map of AL)