| A | B |
|---|
| albedo | the fraction of total radiation that is reflected back by a surface |
| autumnal equinox | the equinox that occurs on September 22 or 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere |
| conduction | the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity; Energy is transferred through collisions from one molecule to another. |
| convection | the transfer of heat by the movement of a mass or substance; It can take place only in fluids |
| greenhouse effect | the heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere from solar radiation being absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere, mainly by water vapor and carbon dioxide |
| heat | thermal energy transferred from one object to another |
| isotherm | a line connecting points of equal temperature |
| mesosphere | the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere and characterized by decreasing temperatures with height |
| ozone | a molecule of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms |
| radiation | the transfer of energy (heat through space by electromagnetic waves) |
| reflection | the process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity |
| scattering | the redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere; The result is more light rays with weaker intensity. |
| spring equinox | the equinox that occurs on March 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere |
| stratosphere | the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the troposphere, characterized by increasing temperatures with height, due to the concentration of ozone |
| summer solstice | the solstice that occurs on June 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere |
| temperature | a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual atoms or molecules in a substance |
| thermosphere | the region of the atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere and characterized by increasing temperatures due to absorption of very short-wave solar energy by oxygen |
| troposphere | the lowermost layer of the atmosphere; It is generally characterized by a decrease in temperature with height. |
| winter solstice | the solstice that occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere |
