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Atmospheric thermodynamics

  • Water vaporThe air over Boulder, Colorado, holds a visible record of change. Satellite data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on NASA's Aqua…
  • HumidityA parcel of air near saturation may contain 8 grams of water per cubic meter at zero degrees Celsius, yet hold 28 grams per cubic meter when the temperature…
  • PressureA finger presses against a wall without leaving a mark. The same finger pushes a thumbtack and damages the surface instantly.
  • Sublimation (phase transition)A block of dry ice sits on a laboratory bench at room temperature. It does not form a puddle. Instead, it vanishes into white vapor without ever becoming…
  • Atmosphere of EarthA dry breath of air contains 78.08% nitrogen and 20.95% oxygen by mole fraction. Argon makes up 0.93% of the mixture, while carbon dioxide accounts for just…
  • International Standard AtmosphereThe International Standard Atmosphere begins at a base geopotential altitude of zero meters below sea level. At this starting point, the standard temperature…