Exam 4: The Atmosphere, Temperature, and the Heat Budget

A portion of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space by clouds. ​

Explain how the greenhouse effect warms Earth's atmosphere. ​

The measure of the average kinetic energy of individual molecules in a substance is called _______________. ​

The average rate of temperature decrease in the troposphere with altitude is called the _______________. (three words)

The ozone layer is found within the stratosphere.

The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere is called the _______________. ​

The vertical transfer of heat through the movement of air is known as _______________. ​

Greenhouse gases absorb incoming solar radiation.

The conversion of a liquid into its vapor state is termed _______________. ​

In what important way is the heating of the interior of a car sitting in the Sun different from the "greenhouse effect" in Earth's atmosphere? ​

Give several reasons why our planet's atmosphere is essential to life on Earth. ​

Earth heats the atmosphere from the bottom up, by absorbing sunlight and converting it to thermal energy and radiating heat. ​

Electromagnetic energy is transferred from the Sun through space to Earth through the process of _______________.

Increases in ____ in the atmosphere due to human activities have resulted in what has been referred to as the enhanced greenhouse effect. ​

Which gas accounts for about 78% of the gas in the atmosphere? ​

Explain how pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons and nitrogen oxides have damaged the ozone layer. ​

A temperature inversion is most likely to occur under which of these conditions? ​

If Earth did not have an atmosphere, the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures would be ____. ​

The ____ is found just above the stratosphere. ​

Compared to the surrounding countryside, cities are generally ____. ​