Earth Science Test

Front 1

ability of a material to reflect solar radiation

Back 1

albedo

Front 2

height above earth's surface

Back 2

altitude

Front 3

describes how carbon and oxygen are exchanged and recycled on Earth

Back 3

carbon-oxygen cycle

Front 4

process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a liquid or a gas

Back 4

convection

Front 5

the balance between the amount of energy coming in from the Sun and going back out into space

Back 5

earth's energy budget

Front 6

the sub-layer of the thermosphere where the atmosphere blends into space

Back 6

exosphere

Front 7

shortest and strongest wavelengths of solar radiation

Back 7

gamma rays

Front 8

cool breeze that circulates from land to sea

Back 8

land breeze

Front 9

heat released when water vapor condenses

Back 9

latent heat

Front 10

the layer of the atmosphere just above the stratosphere; burns up most meteors

Back 10

mesosphere

Front 11

mass of stone or metal that has passed through the atmosphere and struck the earth's surface

Back 11

meteorite

Front 12

predictable variations of Earth's orbit and tilt that can affect climate

Back 12

milankovitch

Front 13

a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms; absorbs UV radiation

Back 13

ozone

Front 14

process by which plants use chlorophyll and energy from sunlight to manufacture food from carbon dioxide

Back 14

photosynthesis

Front 15

waste substances not ordinarily found in the atmosphere that affect Earth's natural cycles

Back 15

pollution

Front 16

weight or force upon something

Back 16

pressure

Front 17

transfer of heat or energy through rays of various wavelengths

Back 17

radiation

Front 18

the process by which oxygen combines with food to release energy and carbon dioxide

Back 18

respiration

Front 19

cool breeze that circulates from sea to land

Back 19

sea breeze

Front 20

layer of the atmosphere just above the troposphere where the temperature remains fairly constant

Back 20

stratosphere

Front 21

a gas produced when sulfur impurities in fuel burn by combining with oxygen

Back 21

sulfur oxide

Front 22

layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are the highest in the atmosphere

Back 22

stratosphere

Front 23

layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are the highest in the atmosphere

Back 23

thermosphere

Front 24

layer of the atmosphere nearest the earth where most weather changes occur

Back 24

troposphere

Front 25

radiation belts surrounding Earth that protect us from harmful radiation of the Sun

Back 25

van allen radiation belts

Front 26

primary gases of the atmosphere

Back 26

nitrogen, oxygen

Front 27

most abundant trace gas

Back 27

argon

Front 28

coldest layer

Back 28

mesosphere

Front 29

hottest layer

Back 29

thermosphere

Front 30

The greenhouse effect is caused by many factors

Back 30

radiation from sun hitting earth's surface,

greenhouse gases and water vapor trapping the heat that radiates from Earth's surface; and

the burning of fossil fuels adding additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Front 31

normal air pressure is _______ pounds

Back 31

14.7 pounds

Front 32

high pressure zones have ________ weather but low pressure zones are vice versa

Back 32

good

Front 33

The warmth you feel as heat is _____.

Back 33

infrared rays

Front 34

It's a hot, clear, sunny day outside. You are most likely in a _____.

Back 34

high pressure zone

Front 35

Wind blows because of _____.

Back 35

temperature and pressure differences

Front 36

When the Sun shines on your face, you feel warmth from its _____.

Back 36

radiation

Front 37

The biogeochemical cycle that most affects the earth's temperature is the _____.

Back 37

water cycle