Download Name Class Date 15.1 Earth`s Atmosphere Key Concepts Properties

Name
Class
Date
15.1 Earth’s Atmosphere
Key Concepts
Properties of the atmosphere include its composition, relative humidity, temperature,
and air pressure.
The main layers of the atmosphere are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and
thermosphere.
Processes that affect weather in the troposphere include heat transfer and the interaction
of air masses.
Vocabulary Preview
Define each vocabulary term in your own words. Then, write yourself a quick note on
how you will remember each. One term has been done for you.
Term
Definition
How I Remember
Atmosphere
Relative
humidity
Air pressure
The force exerted by air on the area
below it
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Ozone layer
Mesosphere
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I think of how the air escapes out of
the tire when my bike gets a flat.
Name
Class
Term
Definition
Date
How I Remember
Thermosphere
Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Convection
current
Air mass
Front
Reading Strategy
Fill in the chart to preview the lesson. Then, write one sentence to explain what you
think this lesson will be about.
What is the title of this lesson?
Which vocabulary words are
new for you?
Which key concept includes the
main layers of the atmosphere?
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Name
Class
Date
What does the diagram under
the heading, The Troposphere
and Weather seem to show?
Properties of the Atmosphere
1.
Fill in the cluster diagram with the chemical formula and a
short description for nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor. For nitrogen and oxygen, include the
approximate percentage of each in Earth’s atmosphere.
Composition of
Earth’s Atmosphere
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Water Vapor
2. What does it mean to say that the average daytime relative humidity of a particular city is
31 percent?
3. Explain how a cloud forms.
4. What general statement can be made about the relationship between air pressure and
altitude?
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Name
Class
Date
Layers of the Atmosphere
5.
Fill in the chart with information about each layer of the
atmosphere.
Layer
Distance in Relation to
Sea Level
Information About
Temperature
Information About the
Air
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
6. What are the divisions in Earth’s atmosphere primarily based upon?
The Troposphere and Weather
7. Describe the movement of heat between two substances of different temperatures.
8. Why does the surface of a black car feel warmer on a sunny day than the surface of a
white car?
9. Compare and contrast convection and conduction.
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Name
Class
Date
10. Summarize what happens when a colder, drier air mass pushes against a warmer, moister
air mass.
11.
Use terms from the word bank to label the diagram.
cool air
light precipitation
warm air
warm front
Answer the questions to test your knowledge of lesson concepts. You can check your
work using the answers on the bottom of the page.
12. Which gas makes up most of Earth’s atmosphere?
13. What heats the atmosphere?
14. What causes winds and also moves heat through the atmosphere?
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