6th Grade Science
Vocabulary 6
Convection Cell: a mass of fluid flowing in a cycle in one place
Coriolis Effect: the cause of winds near the equator in the Northern and Southern hemispheres to curve west
Jet Stream: a narrow band of fast-moving high-altitude wind flowing west to east that affects weather conditions on Earth.
Land Breeze: a wind that blows from land to sea
Prevailing Wind: a predictable wind produced by the combination of high and low pressure areas and the Coriolis Effect
Sea Breeze: a wind that blows from sea onto land
Vocabulary 5
Conduction: transfer of energy from one place to another by contact
Constraint: a limitation or restriction
Energy Transfer: the movement of energy from one place to another
Temperature: a measurement of the motion of particles.
Insulation: to cover something to stop heat, sound, or electricity from escaping or entering
Vocabulary 4
Absorb: to take in or soak up
Climatology: the study of a region’s climate over 30 or more years
Heat: a spontaneous flow of energy (energy in transit) from one object to another
Latitude: the distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees; a factor that affects local weather and climate.
Radiation: energy that is radiated or transmitted through space in the form of rays, waves, or particles
Ray: a thin beam or line of radiant energy, such as light
Solar Angle: the angle at which light from the Sun strikes the surface of Earth
Thermal Energy: radiant energy that heats
Density Simulation
Vocabulary 3 Words and Definitions
Density: the amount of mass in a material compared to its volume
Elevation: height above a given level
Barometer: a weather tool that measures air pressure
Equilibrium: a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced
Convection: heat transfer in a fluid in which hot fluid rises and cold fluid sinks, setting up a cycle
Energy Transfer: The conversion of one form of energy into another
Atmospheric pressure: is the weight of the air pushing on Earth’s surface
Kinetic Energy: the energy of motion
Vocabulary 2 Words and Definitions
Air: mixture of gases surrounding the earth
Compress: to push particles closer together
Expand: to get bigger, to take up more space
Mass: the amount of matter in an object
Matter: anything that has mass and takes up space
Particle: an atom or a molecule; what everything is made of
State: a kind of form of matter. The three common states are solid, liquid and gas
Atmosphere: the layer of gases surrounding Earth. Its layers include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere
Vocabulary 1 Words & Definitions
Weather: the daily state of the atmosphere, or air, in any given place.
Climate: the average of weather conditions in an area over a long period of time.
Visibility: the distance one can see as determined by light and weather conditions
Air Pressure: the force exerted on a surface by the mass of the air above it.
Humidity: the amount of water vapor in the air
Temperature: the measure of the hotness or coldness
Precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, or hail
Forecast: to predict the weather through study