APES Unit 4 Vocab

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Thermosphere

Back

The part of the Earth's atmosphere that begins at about 50 miles above the Earth's surface, extends to outer space, and is characterized by steadily increasing temperature with height.

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Cation Exchange

Back

The process where negatively charged soil particle surfaces bind positively charged atoms or molecules, allowing them to exchange with other positively charged particles in the surrounding soil water.

Front

Stratosphere

Back

The second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward, located above the troposphere.

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Troposphere

Back

The lowest, densest part of the Earth's atmosphere where most weather changes occur, extending from the Earth's surface to about 7 miles high.

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Parent Material

Back

The geologic materials from which soil horizons form.

Front

Exosphere

Back

The outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where the atmosphere thins out into space.

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Mesosphere

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The layer of the atmosphere above the stratosphere, characterized by decreasing temperatures with height.

Front

Atmospheric Pressure

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The force exerted onto a surface by the weight of the air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth (or that of another planet).

Front

Greenhouse Effect

Back

The process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space.

Front

Ozone Layer

Back

A region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.