Back to Atmosphere (ELL)

Study Guide

Quick meanings for every word. Pair Tier 3 words with pictures to support newcomers.

Beginner ELL Core Idea

  • Air surrounds Earth and changes.
  • Air pushes and moves.
  • Heat makes air rise. Cool air falls.
  • Weather happens in the troposphere.
WordMeaning
Air PressureAir pressure is air pushing on things.
AtmosphereThe atmosphere is the air around Earth.
GasGas is air. Gas spreads out.
GravityGravity pulls things down to Earth.
PressurePressure is a push. Air can push.
TemperatureTemperature tells how hot or cold something is.
WeatherWeather is what the air is like today. Rain, sun, wind, or snow.
AltitudeAltitude is how high something is in the sky.
BarometerA barometer measures air pressure.
BiosphereThe biosphere is all living things on Earth.
Chemical CompositionChemical composition means what something is made of.
DensityDensity means how packed something is. More packed = heavier.
ExosphereThe exosphere is the outer layer of air.
GreenhouseA greenhouse traps heat. Gases in the air trap heat.
HydrosphereThe hydrosphere is all the water on Earth.
IonosphereThe ionosphere is a layer of air with charged particles.
LithosphereThe lithosphere is the land part of Earth.
MesopauseThe mesopause is the top of the mesosphere.
MesosphereThe mesosphere is a cold air layer above the stratosphere.
OzoneOzone is a gas that blocks harmful sunlight.
StratopauseThe stratopause is the top of the stratosphere.
StratosphereThe stratosphere is a layer above the troposphere. Planes fly here.
TroposphereThe troposphere is the lowest air layer. Weather happens here.
ThermosphereThe thermosphere is a very hot air layer.
TropopauseThe tropopause is the top of the troposphere.
VariationsVariations mean changes or differences.
Water VaporWater vapor is water in gas form.
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