Difference between revisions of "Atmosphere"
From Conservapedia
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m (not just the media; my atmospheric chem book uses the term as well) |
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The term atmosphere is also a unit of [[pressure]]. An atmosphere is defined as the amount of pressure exerted by a column of [[air]] at [[sea level]]. This is equal to approximately 14.7 [[pound]]s per square [[inch]]. | The term atmosphere is also a unit of [[pressure]]. An atmosphere is defined as the amount of pressure exerted by a column of [[air]] at [[sea level]]. This is equal to approximately 14.7 [[pound]]s per square [[inch]]. | ||
| − | The earth's atmosphere insulates the earth's surface, making it around 15 degrees Centigrade warmer than it would be without any air. This occurs through absorption of outgoing [[infrared rays]] by gas molecules like [[carbon dioxide]] and [[methane]]. | + | The earth's atmosphere insulates the earth's surface, making it around 15 degrees Centigrade warmer than it would be without any air. This occurs through absorption of outgoing [[infrared rays]] by gas molecules like [[carbon dioxide]] and [[methane]]. This warming is known as the ''[[greenhouse effect]]''. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Atmospheric Chemistry]] | ||
Revision as of 20:06, October 13, 2007
The atmosphere is the mass of air surrounding a planet.[1]
The term atmosphere is also a unit of pressure. An atmosphere is defined as the amount of pressure exerted by a column of air at sea level. This is equal to approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch.
The earth's atmosphere insulates the earth's surface, making it around 15 degrees Centigrade warmer than it would be without any air. This occurs through absorption of outgoing infrared rays by gas molecules like carbon dioxide and methane. This warming is known as the greenhouse effect.
References
- ↑ Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000
