Integrated Science 1

• Boyle's Law


  As pressure increases, volume decreases and vice versa (inverse relationship) [formula: P1V1 = P2V2]
• Charles' Law


  As temperature increases, volume increases and vice versa (direct relationship) [formula: V1/T1 = V2/T2]
• Gay-Lussac's Law


  As temperature increases, pressure increases and vice versa (direct relationship) [formula: P1/T1 = P2/T2]
• Atmosphere


  The gaseous component of the planet Earth. Serves as protective lining of the planet against harmful sun's radiation and debris from outer space.
• Variable Components of Air

  • Water vapor
  • Aerosols
  • Ozone
• Water vapor


  Source of all clouds and precipitation. Latent heat of vaporization - the ability to absorb heat and release heat.
• Aerosols


  Solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Act as surfaces on which water vapor can condense. Absorbs, reflects(scatters), and trasmits incoming solar radiation. Contributes to the hues of red and orange during sunrise and sunset.
• Natural sources of aerosols

  • sea salts from breaking waves
  • fine soil blown into the air
  • pollen
  • microorganisms lifted by the wind
  • ash & dust from volcanic eruptions
• Man-made sources of aerosols


  • soot and smoke from fires
• Ozone


  A form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms into each molecule. (concentrated in the stratosphere, 10-50 km)
• Troposphere


  Bottom layer where we live. Temperature decreases with an increase in altitude.
• Environment Lapse Rate


  The temperature decrease in the troposphere, 6.5°C per kilometer – normal lapse rate, Not constant and measured by a radiosonde
• Tropopause


  Outer boundary of the troposphere.
• Stratosphere


  Occurs beyond the tropopause. Temperature remains constant to a height of 20 km and begins to to increase (due to high ozone concentration) until the stratopause (50 km). Less turbulence compared to the troposphere.
• Mesosphere

  3rd layer of the atmosphere, more than 80 km, coldest region, least explored, and less accessibility. Temperatures decrease with height until at the mesopause.
• Thermosphere


  Fourth layer that extends from the mesopause. Temperature rises to extremely high values (1000°C).
• Regions of the Thermosphere

  • Ionosphere
  • Exosphere
• Heat


  Energy that flows because of temperature difference (energy in transit).
• Temperature


  Average kinetic energy of molecules in a system.
• Thermal equilibrium


  When two objects of different temperatures are in contact, the warmer object will become cooler and (vice versa) until they reach the same temperature.
• Convection


  Mass movement or circulation within a substance.
• Conduction


  Heat moves from one object to another object through direct touch.
• Radiation


  Energy that comes from a source and travels through space. All objects emit radiant energy.
• Reflection


  The process wherein light bounces back from an object.
• Scattering


  Produces a larger number of weaker rays that travel in different directions, accounting for the brightness and blue color of the daytime sky.
• Albedo


  The portion of solar energy that is reflected to space leaves in the same short wavelengths in which it came to Earth.
• When a gas molecule absorbs light waves, this energy is transformed into internal molecular motion.
• Weather


  Condition of the atmosphere over a certain place within a short period; continuous and erratic.
• Weather Elements


  • Air temperature
  • Atmospheric pressure
  • Humidity
  • Type of clouds
  • Amount of rainfall
  • Wind speed and direction
• Atmospheric pressure


  The pressure exerted by the weight of air above and the continuous collision of gas molecules. (1 kg/cm2)
• Mercurial barometer


  An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure (Evangelista Torricelli)
• Normal atmospheric pressure


  1 atm or 76 cm of mercury
• Aneroid barometer


  A metal device that is sensitive to pressure difference
• Altitude and Air pressure

  As altitude on Earth increases, the air becomes less dense and air pressure decreases.
• Latent heat


  Heat involved during phase changes, addition or removal of this heat on the substance does not involve a change in temperature reading.
• Humidity


  Amount of water vapor in air
• Ways of expressing humidity


  • Mixing ratio
  • Relative humidity (RH)
  • Dew point temperature or dew point
• Mixing Ratio


  Mass of water vapor in a unit of air compared to the remaining mass of dry air.
• Relative humidity


  Ratio of the air's actual water vapor content compared with the amount of water vapor required for saturation at that temperature. Increase in water vapor content at constant temperature results to higher RH (and vice versa)
• Dew point


  Temperature to which a parcel of air would need to be cooled to reach saturation (measure of actual moisture content). The amount of water vapor needed for saturation is temperature dependent.