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Ch. 2 vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
1.weather | the condition of the bottom layer of the earths atmosphere in one place over a short period of time |
2.climate | the term used for the weather patterns that an area typically experiences over a long 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 365 1/4 days, or one year. |
5. solstice | either of the two times a year when the sun appears directly over head at the Tropics of cancer and capricorn |
6.equinox | either of the two times each year when day and night are of nearly equal length everywhere on the earth |
7. precipitation | all the forms of water that fall to earth from the atmosphere, including rain and snow. |
8. fronts | The boundary between two masses of air that differ in density or temperature. |
9. continental climate | The type of climate found in great central areas of continents in the Northern hemisphere; characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm or hot summers. |
10.ecosystem | The interaction of plant life, animal life, and the physical environment in which they live. |
11. biome | The term used to describe a major type of ecosystem that can be found in various regions throughout the world. |
12.deciduous | Leaf shedding: a type of tree that shed its leaves during one season. |
13.coniferous | Cone bearing: a type of tree able to survive long, cold winters, with long, thin needles rather than leaves. |
14.chaparral | a type of natural vegetation that is adapted to Mediterranean climates; small evergreen trees and low bushes, or scrubs. |
15.savanna | A tropical grassland with scattered trees, located in the warm lands nearest the equator. |
16. herbivore | A plant eating animal |
17. carnivore | a meat eating animal |
18. prairie | A temperature grassland characterized by a great variety of grasses |
19. tundra | A region where temperatures are always cool or cold and only specialized plants can grow |
20. permafrost | A layer of soil just below the earths surface that stays permanently frozen. |