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Geo. Vocabulary
Ch.2 Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
1.Weather | the condition of the bottom layer of the earth's atmosphere in one place over a short period of time |
2.Climate | the term used for the weather patterns that an area typical experiences over a ling period of time |
3.Rotation | the spinning motion of the earth, like a top on its axis, as it travels through space |
4.Revolution | one complete orbit of the earth around the sun. The earth completes one revolution every 3651/4 days, or one year |
5.Solstice | either of the two times a year when the sun appears directly overhead at the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn |
6.Equinox | either of the two times each year when day and nigh are of nearly equal length everywhere on earth |
7.Precipitation | all the forms of water that fall to earth from the atmosphere, including rain and snow |
8.Front | the boundary between two masses of air that differ in density or temperature |
9.Continental Climate | the type of climate found in the great central areas of continents in the Northern Hemisphere; characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm or hot summers. |
Ecosystem | the interaction of plant life, animal life, and the physical environment in which they live. |
Biome | the term used to describe a major type of ecosystem that can be found in various regions throughout the world |
Deciduous | leaf-shedding; a type of tree that sheds its leaves during one season |
Coniferous | cone-bearing; a type of tree able to survive long, cold winters with long thin needles rather than leaves |
Chaparral | a type of natural vegetation that is adapted to Mediterranean climates; small evergreen trees and low bushes, or scrub |
Savanna | a tropical grassland with scattered trees, located in the warm lands nearest the Equator |
Herbivore | a plant-eating animal |
Carnivore | a meat-eating animal |
Prairie | a temperate grassland characterized by a great variety of grasses |
Tundra | a region where temperatures are always cool or cold and only specialized plants can grow |
Permafrost | a layer of soil just below the earth's surface that stays permanently frozen |