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Weather
Term | Definition |
---|---|
atmosphere | the mixture of gases that surround the Earth |
air pressure | the measure of the forces with which particles in the air on an area of a surface |
troposphere | the lowest layer in which weather occurs; also has an average thickness from 10-12 km |
stratosphere | the layer of atmosphere above the troposphere; the top of it is an average of 50 km |
mesosphere | the layer of atmosphere above the troposphere;the top of it is an average of 50 km above Earth's surface |
ionosphere | the region of the Earth's atmosphere and the exosphere, consisting of several ionized layers |
exosphere | the uppermost layer where a single particle can travel for km before hitting another particle |
ozone layer | it protects Earth by absorbing large amounts of harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun |
thermosphere | the uppermost layer of the atmosphere; The top of the layer is around 500-1,000 km |
greenhouse effect | the process by which gases in the atmosphere, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, absorb and give off infrared radiation |
temperature | measure of the average kinetic energy of particles |
thermal energy | the total kinetic energy of particles |
thermal expansion | the increase in volume that results from an increase of temperature |
heat | the energy that is transferred between objects that are at different temperatures |
global wind | pressure belts at every 30 degrees of latitude and the equator in both hemispheres |
trade winds | winds that blow 30 degrees latitude and the equator in both hemispheres |
radiation | the transfer of electromagnetic waves |
convection | the transfer of energy due to the movement of matter |
conduction | the transfer of energy from one object to another through direct contact |
wind | the movement of air due to the differences in air pressure |
coriolis effect | the apparent curving f a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth's rotation |
jet stream | narrow belt of high speed winds that blow from west to east |
sea breeze | a cool breeze coming off the ocean or lake |
land breeze | wind blowing from the land towards water |
mountain breeze | areas that have mounatins experiencing land breezes |
valley breeze | areas that have valleys experiencing local winds |
global winds | pressure belts at every 30 degrees of latitude areas and wind systems |
trade winds | winds hat blow between 30 degrees latitude and the equator in both hemispheres |
westerlies | winds that blow between 30 degree and 60 degree latitudes |
polar easterlies | winds that blow between the poles and 60 degree latitude |
doldrums | calm areas around the equator where trade winds meet |
horse latitudes | when air stops moving and sinks at about 30 degree latitude |
weather | the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a certain time and place |
humidity | the amount of water vapor in the air |
relative humidity | the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the amount of water vapor needed to reach saturation |
dew point | the temperature at which more condensation that evaporation occurs |
precipitation | any form of water that falls to Earth's surface from the water occurs |
cirrus | they are a type of cloud that appear feathery and wispy |
cumulus | heap, pile, if they appear to grow taller, they produce thunderstorms |
stratus | clouds that form in flat layers; low, dark cluds can blck out the sun and produce steady drizzles or rain |
air pressure (density) | the force of air molecules pushing down on an area's surface they can both decrease with altitude |
high pressure system | they can cause air to sink slowly down; when the air reaches to the ground it spreads out towards areas with low pressure with low pressure |
low pressure system | air rises and so has has a lower pressure than areas around it |
air mass | large volume of air in which temperature and moisture content are nearly the same throughout |
front | a boundary that forms between the air masses |
cold front | they form where cold air moves under warm air |
warm front | they form where warm air moves over cold air |
stationary front | they form where cold and warm air stop moving |
occluded front | they form during cyclogenesis |
evaporation | this occurs when a liquid changes into a gas |
condensation | this occurs when a gas becomes a liquid |
runoff | the flow of water that occurs when water sources flow over Earth's surface |
cyclogenesis | when a cold front overtakes a warm front |