Term | Definition |
Matter | Anything that has mass and takes up space (has volume) |
Mass | Amount of matter in something |
Density | Amount of matter in a given space / volume |
Gravity | Force of attraction that exists between all objects in the universe |
Atmosphere | Envelope of gases that surrounds Earth |
Cellular respiration | Process by which a cell releases energy from food molecules |
Troposphere | The lowest layer of the atmosphere / where weather occurs / temperatures decrease with altitude |
Stratosphere | The second layer of the atmosphere / ozone layer located in the upper stratosphere / temperatures increase with altitude |
Mesosphere | Third layer of the atmosphere / where most meteoroids burn up / temperatures decrease with altitude (coldest layer) |
Thermosphere | Upper layer of the atmosphere / temperatures increasing with proximity to the sun / air has very low density |
Radiant energy | Energy given off by the sun that can travel through empty space |
Radiation | Movement of the Sun’s energy through empty space |
Conduction | Transfer of heat through matter by direct contact |
Convection | Process by which heat is transferred through a liquid or a gas |
Pressure | Amount of force per unit of area |
Barometer | Instrument used to measure air pressure |
Wind | The horizontal movement of air |
Air current | Up-and-down movement of air |
Wind vane | Instrument that indicates wind direction |
Anemometer | Instrument that measures wind speed |