Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate

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Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

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Atmosphere

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The envelope of gases held by gravity that surrounds a planet, which is essential for supporting life on Earth.

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Example: This diagram shows the atmosphere is a blanket of gases divided into five main layers, each with different altitudes, temperatures, and characteristics.

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Nitrogen Noun

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[nai-truh-juhn]

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Nitrogen

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The most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up about 78%, and is a crucial component for plant growth.

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Example: This diagram shows that Earth's atmosphere is mostly made of Nitrogen gas, which takes up the largest portion (78%) of the air around our planet.

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Oxygen Noun

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[ok-si-juhn]

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Oxygen

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The second most abundant gas in the atmosphere, comprising about 21%, and is vital for respiration in most organisms.

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Example: This diagram shows the Oxygen Cycle, illustrating how oxygen is produced by plants during photosynthesis and used by animals, plants, and industry, cycling it through the atmosphere.

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Greenhouse Effect Noun

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[green-hous ih-fekt]

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Greenhouse Effect

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The natural process where certain atmospheric gases trap heat, keeping the planet's surface warm enough to sustain life.

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Example: Solar radiation from the sun warms the Earth, and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this heat, keeping the planet warm.

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Greenhouse Gases Noun

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[green-hous gas-iz]

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Greenhouse Gases

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Atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide, that absorb and emit radiant energy, which causes the greenhouse effect.

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Example: This diagram shows how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide (CO₂), trap heat radiated from the Earth, which keeps the planet warm.

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Carbon Dioxide Noun

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[kar-buhn dai-ok-said]

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Carbon Dioxide

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A primary greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and is also essential for the process of photosynthesis.

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Example: This diagram shows a model of a carbon dioxide molecule (CO₂), which consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.

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Troposphere Noun

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[troh-puh-sfeer]

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Troposphere

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The lowest and most dense layer of Earth's atmosphere, where nearly all weather phenomena and life forms exist.

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Example: This diagram shows the Troposphere as the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the Earth's surface up to about 10 kilometers.

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Stratosphere Noun

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[strat-uh-sfeer]

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Stratosphere

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The atmospheric layer above the troposphere which contains the ozone layer that absorbs harmful solar ultraviolet radiation.

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Example: This diagram shows the Stratosphere is the second layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the Troposphere and below the Mesosphere, with altitude markers for context.

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Mesosphere Noun

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[mes-o-sfeer]

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Mesosphere

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The middle atmospheric layer known as the coldest layer, which protects the Earth's surface from being struck by meteors.

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Example: This diagram shows the Mesosphere is the third atmospheric layer from the ground, located between 50-80 km, and is where meteors burn up.

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Thermosphere Noun

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[thur-muh-sfeer]

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Thermosphere

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The upper atmospheric layer characterized by extremely high temperatures resulting from the absorption of intense solar radiation.

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Example: This diagram shows the thermosphere is a high layer of the atmosphere, located above the mesosphere, where the International Space Station orbits and auroras occur.