This document defines key terms related to the atmosphere and air temperature: 1) Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth from the Sun at a given place and time. 2) Important layers of the atmosphere include the troposphere, which is closest to Earth's surface, and where weather occurs. 3) Instruments such as barometers and thermometers are used to measure air pressure and temperature, respectively.

1. insolation sea level altitude molecule atmosphere troposphere air pressure weather barometer thermometer Chapter 10, Lesson 3Atmosphere and Air Temperature

2. insolation – short for “incoming solar radiation” – it means the amount of the Sun’s energy that reaches Earth at any given place and time.

3. insolation – short for “incoming solar radiation” – it means the amount of the Sun’s energy that reaches Earth at any given place and time.

4. insolation – short for “incoming solar radiation” – it means the amount of the Sun’s energy that reaches Earth at any given place and time.

5. insolation – short for “incoming solar radiation” – it means the amount of the Sun’s energy that reaches Earth at any given place and time.

6. sea level - The level of the sea's surface, used in determining the height of geographical features such as hills and as a barometric standard.

7. altitude- The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.

8. molecule- A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. Water Molecule Lactic Acid Molecule – found in milk!

9. atmosphere- the air that surrounds the earth.

10. atmosphere- the air that surrounds the earth.

11. troposphere- the layer of the earth’s atmosphere closest to the earth’s surface. Click these pictures for more information about the troposphere.

12. air pressure- the force put on a given area by the weight of the air above it.

13. air pressure- the force put on a given area by the weight of the air above it. The closer to sea level you are, the higher the air pressure! Air pressure is measured in “millibars” (mb). When you’re close to sea level, there are more molecules above you, weighing down. This means greater air pressure.

14. weather – what the troposphere is like at any given time. It includes the following: air temperature clouds wind air pressure amount of moisture in the air precipitation

15. barometer - an instrument that measures air pressure

16. thermometer - an instrument that measures temperature