| A | B |
|---|
| atmosphere | thin layer of gases surrounding Earth |
| ionosphere | region within the mesosphere and thermosphere containing ions |
| ozone layer | area of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone |
| stratosphere | atmospheric layer directly above the troposphere |
| troposphere | atmospheric layer closest to Earth’s surface |
| troposphere | gaseous form of water |
| conduction | transfer of thermal energy by collisions between particles of matter |
| convection | transfer of thermal energy by the movement of matter from one place to another |
| radiation | transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves |
| stability | describes whether circulating air motions will be strong or weak in the atmosphere |
| temperature inversion | layer of cooler air is trapped by a layer of warmer air above it |
| jet stream | narrow band of high winds |
| land breeze | wind that blows from the land to the sea |
| polar easterlies | cold winds that blow from the east to the west near the North and South Poles |
| sea breeze | wind that blows from the sea to the land |
| trade winds | steady winds that flow toward the equator from east to west |
| westerlies | steady winds that flow from west to east |
| wind | movement of air from high pressure to low-pressure areas |
| acid precipitation | results from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combining with moisture in the atmosphere |
| air pollution | contamination of air by harmful substances |
| particulate matter | mixture of dust, acids, and other chemicals that can be harmful to health |
| photochemical smog | interaction between sunlight and chemicals in the air |
