What is a NOBLE GAS?
It's a gas that rarely reacts with other elements because it is stable, previously referred to as inert gases.
What are AEROSOLS?
They are sprays containing fine particles and/or droplets that become suspended in the atmosphere.
What is the TROPOPAUSE?
The upper limit of the troposphere.
What is the STRATOPAUSE?
The upper limit of the stratosphere.
What is the MESOPAUSE?
The upper limit of the MESOSPHERE.
What is the THERMOPAUSE?
The upper limit of the thermosphere.
What is TEMPERATURE INVERSION?
It's when temperatures increase with altitude.
What is SHORT WAVE RADIATION?
Incoming or shortwave solar radiation, visible light and ultraviolet radiation are commonly called shortwave radiation.
What is LONG WAVE RADIATION?
Outgoing or terrestrial radiation, as the Earth produces very little visible light or ultraviolet radiation, all radiation from the Earth is infrared.
What is a PRIMARY POLLUTANT?
A pollutant that is emitted directly from the source.
What is a SECONDARY POLLUTANT?
A pollutant that forms through chemical reactions with primary pollutants.
What is PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG?
Air pollution in the atmosphere accompanied by high levels of ozone and nitrogen oxides from vehicles and caused by the action of sunlight on the pollutants.
What is PARTICULATE MATTER? (PM)
A mixture of very small particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air.
What are VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS? (VOCs)
Chemicals that easily enter the atmosphere as gases, mainly from evaporation.
What is a DEPLETION?
It's a reduction or loss.
What is the POLAR VORTEX?
It's a circulation of strong upper level winds that surround Antarctica and keep cold air locked in above the continent.