Term | Definition |
electromagnetic waves | Energy that can move through space |
radiation | direct transfer of energy through waves |
infrared radiation | wavelengths longer than red light |
ultraviolet radation | wavelengths shorter than violet light |
scattering | light reflecting through the atmosphere |
greenhouse effect | gasses holdig heat in the air |
Temperature | average amount of energy of motion of each partile of a substance |
thermal energy | toal energy of motion of each particle of a substance |
thermometer | tool with a glass tube that has a bulb and contains a liquid |
Heat | transfer of thermal energy to a cooler object |
conduction | direct transfer of heat beween two touching objects |
convection | transfer of energy through movement of fluid |
convection currents | movement of warm and cool air |
winds | horozontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure |
anemometer | tool used to measure wind speed an direction |
wind chill factor | increased cooling caused by wind |
local winds | winds that blow short distances |
sea breeze | local wind blowing from an ocean or lake |
land breeze | flow of air toward a body of water |
global wind | wind that blows in a specific direction |
Coriolis effect | way earth's rotation makes winds curve |
latitude | distance from the equator |
jet streams | high speed winds above earths surface |
water cycle | movement of air from earth to the atmosphere |
Evaporation | process by which water heats and turns into vapor |
humidity | measure of water vapor in the air |
relative humidity | percentage of water vapor that is actually in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a specific temperature |
psychrometer | tool used to measure relative humidity |
condensation | vapor cooling and turning into liqui water |
dew point | temperature at which dew forms |
cirrus clouds | thin, wispy, clouds high in the atmosphere |
cumulus | large, puffed clouds |
stratus | wide, flat clouds |
Precipitation | Water that falls from the sky as rain, snow, hail, or dew |
Drought | Periods of low precipitation |
Cloud seeding | A method of modifying precipitation |
Rain gauge | Took used to measure rainfall |