Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 1: Weathering
abrasion wearing away or grinding by friction
dissolution process of dissolving
hydrolysis chemical reaction involving ions in water (OH - and H +)
oxidation chemical reaction in which minerals are weakened by oxygen
weathering breakdown and change of rocks and minerals over time
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 2: Erosion
delta triangular deposition of fine, fertile soil at the mouth of a river
deposition placement of weathered rock and sediment by erosion
erosion transport and deposition of weathered rock
medium substance which enables the transport of weathered rock and sediment
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 3: Soil Formation
horizon layer of distinct soil
soil top layer of mineral and organic material on Earth's surface
soil profile arrangement of horizons in a soil sample
Topography elevation and slope of land
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 4: Rivers and Waves
backwash water that flows back into the ocean after a wave has broken
fetch distance a wave travels
meander turn, bend, or wind in a river
oxbow U-shaped lake formed by river erosion
suspension state in which small, light particles are mixed with, but not dissolved in, a
fluid or solid
traction pulling and rolling of large rocks by water or wind
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 5: Gravity and Glaciers
horn pyramidal peak formed when a glacier erodes a mountain on three or
more sides
mass wasting downhill movement of rock and sediment caused by gravity
moraine accumulation of unsorted rock and sediment deposited by a glacier
striation groove or scratch
talus angular pile of broken rock found at the bottom of a mountain
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 6: Wind
loamy made of small, light, and nutrient rich soil particles
loess large, fertile deposit of mostly silt carried long distances by wind
saltation when wind lifts sediment off the ground and carries it a short distance
suspension when wind picks up small particles and carries them long distances
terminal fall velocity velocity at which sediment is deposited by wind
threshold velocity velocity required to transport sediment by wind
windbreak row of trees or shrubs used to reduce the force of wind
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 7: Destructive Forces
liquefaction weakening of oversaturated soil caused by seismic waves
tsunami series of destructive ocean waves caused by vibrations in Earth's crust
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 8: Natural Erosion
abrasion Wearing away or grinding by friction
alluvial fan A wide, sloping deposit of sediment formed where a stream leaves a
mountain range
barrier beach Form when storm waves pile up large amounts of sand above sea level,
forming a long, narrow island parallel to the coast
beach An area of wave-washed sediment along a coast
deflation The process by which wind removes surface materials
delta triangular deposition of fine, fertile soil at the mouth of a river
desert pavement An (desert-like) area of rock fragments caused by deflation
flood plain Flat, wide area of land along a river
glacier A large mass of ice that moves slowly over land
groundwater Underground water
headland A part of the shore that sticks out into the ocean. It’s made of harder rock
that resists erosion by waves
loess large, fertile deposit of mostly silt carried long distances by wind
longshore drift The process by which waves repeatedly hit the beach and some of the
beach sediment moves down the beach with the current
plucking The process by which a glacier picks up rocks as it flows over land
runoff Moving water that flows over the land
sandbar Long narrow ridges of sand parallel to the shore
sand dune A deposit of windblown sand that forms when wind meets an obstacle
sea arch A feature of wave erosion that forms when waves erode a layer of softer
rock that underlies a layer of harder rock
sea stack A pillar of rock that forms when a sea arch collapses
sinkhole A depression that forms when the roof of a cave collapses because of the
erosion of the underlying limestone
spit A beach that projects like a finger out into the water. Spits form as a result
of deposition by longshore drift
stalactite A deposit of carbonic acid that hangs like an icicle from the roof of a cave
stalagmite A deposit that forms from the cave floor as slow dripping carbonic acid
builds up in a cone-shape
tributary A stream or river that flows into a larger river
wave-cut cliff The result of waves eroding the base of a cliff so much that the rock
above collapses
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 9: Constructive Forces
diverge to pull, or move, away from
hotspot area of weak crust where magma from the mantle seeps through
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 10: System Feedback
bathymetry The study of the “beds” or “floors” of water bodies, including the oceans,
rivers, streams, and lakes
biosphere The area of the planet where organisms live, including the ground, air,
and water
convergent boundary Place where two plates move toward each other or come together
cryosphere The frozen water part of the Earth system
divergent boundary Place where two plates move away from each other
El Niño A climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean with a global impact on weather
patterns
fault A crack in the Earth’s crust typically associated with the boundaries
between Earth’s tectonic plates
global warming The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere
generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels
of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants
greenhouse effect The process by which radiation from a planet’s atmosphere warms the
planet’s surface to a temperature above what it would be in the absence of this process
subduction The process that takes place at convergent boundaries by which one
tectonic plate moves under another tectonic plate and sinks into the mantle as the plates converge
transform boundary Place where two plates slide past each other
tsunami A large ocean wave also called a tidal wave, usually caused by an
underwater earthquake, volcanic eruption, or coastal landslide
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 11: Test
Unit 1 Shaping Earth’s Crust
Assignment 11: Glossary
abrasion Wearing away or grinding by friction
alluvial fan A wide, sloping deposit of sediment formed where a stream leaves a
mountain range
backwash water that flows back into the ocean after a wave has broken
bathymetry The study of the "beds" or "floors" of water bodies, including the oceans,
rivers, streams, and lakes
barrier beach Form when storm waves pile up large amounts of sand above sea level,
forming a long, narrow island parallel to the coast
beach An area of wave-washed sediment along a coast
biosphere The area of the planet where organisms live, including the ground, air,
and water
convergent boundaries Place where two plates move toward each other or come together
cryosphere The frozen water part of the Earth system
deflation The process by which wind removes surface materials
delta triangular deposition of fine, fertile soil at the mouth of a river
deposition placement of weathered rock and sediment by erosion
desert pavement An (desert-like) area of rock fragments caused by deflation
dissolution process of dissolving
diverge to pull, or move, away from
divergent boundaries Place where two plates move away from each other
el niño A climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean with a global impact on weather
patterns
erosion transport and deposition of weathered rock
fault A crack in the Earth's crust typically associated, or form, the boundaries
between Earth's tectonic plates
fetch distance a wave travels
fjord long, narrow bay created when ocean water fills a glaciated valley
flood plain Flat, wide area of land along a river
glacier A large mass of ice that moves slowly over land
global warming The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere
generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants
greenhouse effect The process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the
planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be in the absence of its temperature
groundwater Underground water
headland A part of the shore that sticks out into the ocean. It's made of harder rock
that resists erosion by waves
horizon layer of distinct soil
horn pyramidal peak formed when a glacier erodes a mountain on three or
more sides
hotspot area of weak crust where magma from the mantle seeps through
hydrolysis chemical reaction involving ions in water (OH - and H +)
liquefaction weakening of oversaturated soil caused by seismic waves
loamy made of small, light, and nutrient rich soil particles
loess fertile accumulation of soil and sediment deposited by wind
longshore drift The process by which waves repeatedly hit the beach and some of the
beach sediment moves down the beach with the current
mass wasting downhill movement of rock and sediment caused by gravity
meander turn, bend, or wind in a river
medium substance which enables the transport of weathered rock and sediment
moraine accumulation of unsorted rock and sediment deposited by a glacier
oxbow U-shaped lake formed by river erosion
oxbow lake A meander that has been cut off from the river
oxidation chemical reaction in which minerals are weakened by oxygen
plucking The process by which a glacier picks up rocks as it flows over land
runoff Moving water that flows over the land
saltation when wind lifts sediment off the ground and carries it a short distance
sandbar Long narrow ridges of sand parallel to the shore
sand dune A deposit of windblown sand that forms when wind meets an obstacle
sea arch A feature of wave erosion that forms when waves erode a layer of softer
rock that underlies a layer of harder rock
sea stack A pillar of rock that forms when a sea arch collapses
sinkhole A depression that forms when the roof of a cave collapses because of the
erosion of the underlying limestone
soil top layer of mineral and organic material on Earth's surface
soil profile arrangement of horizons in a soil sample
spit A beach that projects like a finger out into the water. Spits form as a result
of deposition by longshore drift
stalactite A deposit of carbonic acid that hangs like an icicle from the roof of a cave
stalagmite A deposit that forms from the cave floor as slow dripping carbonic acid
builds up in a cone-shape
striation groove or scratch
subduction The process that takes place at convergent boundaries by which one
tectonic plate moves under another tectonic plate and sinks into the mantle as the plates converge
suspension state in which small, light particles are mixed with, but not dissolved in, a
fluid or solid
swash water that flows onto the shore after a wave has broken
talus angular pile of broken rock found at the bottom of a mountain
terminal fall velocity velocity at which sediment is deposited by wind
threshold velocity velocity required to transport sediment by wind
topography elevation and slope of land
traction pulling and rolling of large rocks by water or wind
transform boundaries Place where two plates slide past each other
tributary A stream or river that flows into a larger river
tsunami series of destructive ocean waves caused by vibrations in Earth's crust
wave-cut cliff The result of waves eroding the base of a cliff so much that the rock
above collapses
weathering breakdown and change of rocks and minerals over time
windbreak row of trees or shrubs used to reduce the force of wind
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 1: The Water Cycle
evaporation process by which liquid water changes into a gas
infiltration process by which precipitation soaks into the ground
precipitation the release of water from the atmosphere
sublimation process by which solid water (ice, snow) changes directly into a gas
transpiration release of water vapor into the air by plants
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 2: Water Basics
adhesion water's attraction to other substances
cohesion water's attraction to other water molecules
compound two or more elements joined together to create a new substance
polarity molecular condition in which one end has a slightly positive charge and
the other a slightly negative charge
surface tension cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water
solvent substance in which another substance is dissolved
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 3: Water Distribution
scarcity state of not having enough of something
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 4: Groundwater
aquifer underground layer of permeable rock from which groundwater can be
removed
impermeable not allowing a fluid to pass through
permeable allowing a fluid to pass through
porosity amount of air space between soil or rock particles
water table top of the saturated zone in groundwater
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 5: Lakes and Rivers
tributary a small creek or stream that feeds a larger river or lake
watershed area of land where all the draining water goes into the same river system
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 6: Glaciers and Ice Caps
firn intermediate stage between snow and ice
ice cap large, dome-shaped mass of ice
moraine large area of rock and sediment left by a glacier
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 7: Eustatic Sea Levels
albedo the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight
eustatic (sea level) change when the sea level changes due to an alteration in the volume of
water in the oceans, or alternately, when there is change in shape of an ocean basin and in turn an adjustment in the amount of water the sea can hold. Eustatic (worldwide) sea- level change is always a global effect
facies all of the characteristics of a particular rock unit.
lithostratigraphic unit a body of sedimentary, extrusive igneous, metasedimentary, or
metavolcanic strata which is distinguished on the basis of lithologic characteristics and stratigraphic position (position in the rock sequence)
regression when sea level falls causing the coastline to migrate outward (oceanward)
stratigraphy a branch of geology which studies rock layers (strata) and layering
(stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks.
transgression when sea level rises causing the coastline to migrate inward.
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 8: Ocean Water
desalination process by which salt is removed from saltwater
salinity measure of dissolved minerals and salts in water
thermocline transitional layer between the mixed surface layer and the deep water
layer in the ocean
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 9: Waves and Tides
crest highest part of a wave
fetch distance over which wind blows without interruption or change of direction
tide alternate rising and falling of the ocean caused by the gravitational pull of
the moon and the Sun
trough lowest part of a wave
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 10: Currents
downwelling downward movement of surface ocean water caused by wind
gyre large, rotating current loops caused by the Coriolis effect
thermohaline circulation movement of deep ocean water driven by differences in
temperature, salinity, and density
upwelling upward movement of deeper, colder ocean water to the surface caused
by wind
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 11: Test
Unit 2 Earth’s Water
Assignment 12: Glossary
adhesion water's attraction to other substances
albedo the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight
aquifer underground layer of permeable rock from which ground water can be
removed
cohesion water's attraction to other water molecules
compound two or more elements joined together to create a new substance
crest highest part of a wave
desalination process by which salt is removed from saltwater
downwelling downward movement of surface ocean water caused by wind
eustatic (sea level) change when the sea level changes due to an alteration in the volume of
water in the oceans, or alternately, when there is change in shape of an ocean basin and in turn an adjustment in the amount of water the sea can hold. Eustatic (worldwide) sea- level change is always a global effect
evaporation process by which liquid water changes into a gas
facies all of the characteristics of a particular rock unit.
fetch distance over which wind blows without interruption or change of direction
firn intermediate stage between snow and ice
gyre large, rotating current loops caused by the Coriolis effect
ice cap large, dome-shaped mass of ice
infiltration process by which precipitation soaks into the ground
impermeable not allowing a fluid to pass through
lithostratigraphic unit a body of sedimentary, extrusive igneous, metasedimentary, or
metavolcanic strata which is distinguished on the basis of lithologic characteristics and stratigraphic position (position in the rock sequence).
moraine large area of rock and sediment left by a glacier
permeable allowing a fluid to pass through
polarity molecular condition in which one end has a slightly positive charge and
the other a slightly negative charge
porosity amount of air space between soil or rock particles
precipitation the release of water from the atmosphere
regression when sea level falls causing the coastline to migrate outward
(oceanward).
salinity measure of dissolved minerals and salts in water
scarcity state of not having enough of something
solvent substance in which another substance is dissolved
stratigraphy a branch of geology which studies rock layers (strata) and layering
(stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks.
sublimation process by which solid water (ice, snow) changes directly into a gas
surface tension cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water
thermocline transitional layer between the mixed surface layer and the deep water
layer in the ocean
thermohaline circulation movement of deep ocean water driven by differences in
temperature, salinity, and density
tide alternate rising and falling of the ocean caused by the gravitational pull of
the moon and the Sun
transgression when sea level rises causing the coastline to migrate inward.
transpiration release of water vapor into the air by plants
tributary a small creek or stream that feeds a larger river or lake
trough lowest part of a wave
upwelling upward movement of deeper, colder ocean water to the surface caused
by wind
water table top of the saturated zone in ground water
watershed area of land where all the draining water goes into the same river system
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 1: Evolution of the Atmosphere
cyanobacteria single-celled photosynthetic bacteria
meteorite mass of stone or metal that has passed through the atmosphere and
struck the earth's surface
meteoroid mass of stone or metal traveling through space
ozone a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms; absorbs UV radiation
photosynthesis process by which plants use chlorophyll and energy from sunlight to
manufacture food from carbon dioxide
respiration the process by which oxygen combines with food to release energy and
carbon dioxide
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 2: Structure of the Atmosphere
exosphere the sub-layer of the thermosphere where the atmosphere blends into
space
ion an electrically charged atom
ionosphere a sub-layer of the thermosphere containing ions
mesosphere the layer of the atmosphere just above the stratosphere; burns up most
meteors
ozonosphere a region in the upper stratosphere where ozone is concentrated
stratosphere layer of the atmosphere just above the troposphere where the
temperature remains fairly constant
thermosphere layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are
the highest in the atmosphere
troposphere layer of the atmosphere nearest the earth where most weather changes
occur
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 3: Atmospheric Cycles
carbon-oxygen cycle describes how carbon and oxygen are exchanged and recycled on
Earth
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 4: Solar Interaction
albedo ability of a material to reflect solar radiation
conduction the transfer of heat between two stationary entities
convection process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a liquid or a
gas
Earth's energy budget the balance between the amount of energy coming in from the
Sun and going back out into space
humidity moisture in the air
latent heat heat released when water vapor condenses
radiation transfer of heat or energy through rays of various wavelengths
Van Allen radiation belts radiation belts surrounding Earth that protect us from harmful
radiation of the Sun
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 5: Air Pressure and Winds
altitude height above the earth's surface
barometer instrument used to measure air pressure
Coriolis effect a circular pattern of winds created by Earth's rotation
land breeze cool breeze that circulates from land to sea
pressure weight or force upon something
sea breeze cool breeze that circulates from sea to land
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 6: Air Pollution
carbon monoxide a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas
hydrocarbon wasted, unburned fuel given off as a gas
Milankovitch cycles predictable variations of Earth's orbit and tilt that can affect climate
nitrogen oxide a gas produced at high temperatures by combining nitrogen and oxygen
pollution waste substances not ordinarily found in the atmosphere that affect
Earth's natural cycles
sulfur oxide a gas produced when sulfur impurities in fuel burn by combining with
oxygen
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 7: Nature and Human Activity
deforestation Area where people cut down woodlands to harvest timber or clear the
land for farms or ranches
desertification The advance of desert-like conditions into areas that were previously
fertile
drought A period when less rain than normal falls in an area
erosion The process by which water, wind, or ice moves particles of rocks or soil
land reclamation The process of restoring an area of land to a more productive state
natural resource Anything that occurs naturally in the environment and is used by people
nutrient depletion The process by which soil becomes less fertile, because a farmer plants
the same crops in a field every year causing too much nutrient absorption
pesticides Chemicals that kill crop-destroying organisms
thermal pollution Heated water (to cool machinery) released by factories and power plants
that can kill organisms living in the body of water into which it is released
urbanization Large areas of land that are developed as more and more people move to
cities and suburbs
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 8: Human Impact on the Earth
acid rain Precipitation that is more acidic than normal because of air pollution
carbon monoxide A colorless, odorless gas that forms when fuels are not completely burned
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) A group of human-made gases containing chlorine and
fluorine that cause ozone depletion
clean energy Energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, nuclear,
and tidal that release very small amounts of greenhouse gases
emissions Gases and particles which are put into the air or emitted by various
sources
global warming The gradual increase in the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere
nonpoint source A source that is widely spread and cannot be tied to a specific origin, such
as vehicle emissions
ozone layer A layer of the upper atmosphere about 18.6 miles above Earth’s surface
that protects us from the effects of too much ultraviolet radiation
photochemical smog Thick, brownish haze formed when certain gases in the air react
with sunlight
point sources A specific source of pollution that is easy to identify, such as a
smokestack
radon A colorless, odorless gas that is radioactive and is formed naturally by
certain rocks underground
smog alert A warning about a type of air pollution called photochemical smog
temperature inversion Occurs when a layer of warm air prevents the rising air from
escaping. The polluted air is trapped and held close to Earth’s surface
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 9: Test
Unit 3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Assignment 10: Glossary
acid rain Precipitation that is more acidic than normal because of air pollution
albedo ability of a material to reflect solar radiation
altitude height above the earth's surface
barometer instrument used to measure air pressure
carbon-oxygen cycle describes how carbon and oxygen are exchanged and recycled on
Earth
carbon monoxide a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) A group of human-made gases containing chlorine and
fluorine that cause ozone depletion
clean energy Energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, nuclear,
and tidal that release very small amounts of greenhouse gases
conduction the transfer of heat between two stationary entities
convection process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a liquid or a
gas
Coriolis effect a circular pattern of winds created by Earth's rotation
cyanobacteria single-celled photosynthetic bacteria
deforestation Area where people cut down woodlands to harvest timber or clear the
land for farms or ranches
desertification The advance of desert-like conditions into areas that were previously
fertile
drought A period when less rain than normal falls in an area
Earth's energy budget the balance between the amount of energy coming in from the
Sun and going back out into space
emissions Gases and particles which are put into the air or emitted by various
sources
erosion The process by which water, wind, or ice moves particles of rocks or soil
exosphere the sub-layer of the thermosphere where the atmosphere blends into
space
gamma rays shortest and strongest wavelengths of solar radiation
global warming The gradual increase in the temperature of Earth's atmosphere
humidity moisture in the air
hydrocarbon wasted, unburned fuel given off as a gas
ion an electrically charged atom
ionosphere a sub-layer of the thermosphere containing ions
land breeze cool breeze that circulates from land to sea
land reclamation The process of restoring an area of land to a more productive state
latent heat heat released when water vapor condenses
mesosphere the layer of the atmosphere just above the stratosphere; burns up most
meteors
meteorite mass of stone or metal that has passed through the atmosphere and
struck the earth's surface
meteoroid mass of stone or metal traveling through space
Milankovitch cycles predictable variations of Earth's orbit and tilt that can affect climate
natural resource Anything that occurs naturally in the environment and is used by people
nitrogen oxide a gas produced at high temperatures by combining nitrogen and oxygen
nonpoint sources A source that is widely spread and cannot be tied to a specific origin, such
as vehicle emissions
nutrient depletion The process by which soil becomes less fertile, because a farmer plants
the same crops in a field every year causing too much nutrient absorption
ozone a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms; absorbs UV radiation
ozonosphere a region in the upper stratosphere where ozone is concentrated
pesticides Chemicals that kill crop-destroying organisms
photochemical smog Thick, brownish haze formed when certain gases in the air react
with sunlight
photosynthesis process by which plants use chlorophyll and energy from sunlight to
manufacture food from carbon dioxide
pollution waste substances not ordinarily found in the atmosphere that affect
Earth's natural cycles
point sources A specific source of pollution that is easy to identify, such as a
smokestack
pressure weight or force upon something
radiation transfer of heat or energy through rays of various wavelengths
radon A colorless, odorless gas that is radioactive and is formed naturally by
certain rocks underground
respiration the process by which oxygen combines with food to release energy and
carbon dioxide
sea breeze cool breeze that circulates from sea to land
smog alert A warning about a type of air pollution called photochemical smog
stratosphere layer of the atmosphere just above the troposphere where the
temperature remains fairly constant
sulfur oxide a gas produced when sulfur impurities in fuel burn by combining with
oxygen
thermal pollution Heated water (to cool machinery) released by factories and power plants
that can kill organisms living in the body of water into which it is released
thermosphere layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere where temperatures are
the highest in the atmosphere
temperature inversion Occurs when a layer of warm air prevents the rising air from
escaping. The polluted air is trapped and held close to Earth's surface
troposphere layer of the atmosphere nearest the earth where most weather changes
occur
urbanization Large areas of land that are developed as more and more people move to
cities and suburbs
Van Allen radiation belts radiation belts surrounding Earth that protect us from harmful
radiation of the Sun
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 1: Weather and Climate
climate long-term average of weather in an area
continental type of temperate climate over land
maritime type of temperate climate near an ocean or sea
polar dry, cold climate zone above 60 degree latitude
subtropical hot, often dry, climate zone between 25 and 30 degrees latitude, north or
south of the equator
temperate seasonably variable climate zone between 40 and 60 degrees latitude,
north or south of the equator
tropical warm, moist climate zone near the equator
weather day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions, including temperature, air
pressure, humidity, wind, cloud coverage, or precipitation
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 2: Cloud’s and Precipitation
adiabatic heating or cooling of gas by contraction or expansion
condensation nuclei tiny particles in the atmosphere upon which water vapor can
condense
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 3: Air Masses and Fronts
air mass large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity
cyclone a severe storm
front where two different air masses meet
source region area over which an air mass forms
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 4: Solar Power
convection process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a liquid or a
gas
Earth's energy budget the balance between the amount of energy coming in from the
Sun and going back out into space
humidity moisture in the air
jet stream fast moving stream of wind where cold, polar air meets warm air from the
equator
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 5: Geographical Effects
lake effect snow downpour of snow due to an arctic air mass flowing over a warm lake
rain shadow effect when wind flow over mountains produces moist conditions on the
windward side of the mountains and dry conditions on the leeward side
transpiration the process of plants releasing moisture from their leaves
urban heat island effect the tendency of streets and buildings to absorb and retain the
Sun's heat
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 6: Climate Regulation and Change
eccentricity the shape of Earth's orbit about the Sun; can change from a more
elliptical to a more circular path and back
Milankovitch cycles changes in Earth's orbit and tilt that occur every 100,000 years; believed
to be responsible for past ice ages
obliquity Earth's tilt
precession movement of Earth's imaginary, rotating, polar axis
thermohaline circulation water that moves because of its temperature and salt content
upwelling when wind allows cold dense water to rise from the bottom of the ocean
to the surface
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 7: Weird Weather
desertification the spread of desert environments
drought a long period of unusually dry weather
wind shear when winds change direction and speed up into the atmosphere
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 8: Measuring Weather
anemometer measures wind speed
barometer measures air pressure
Doppler effect a change in the frequency of sound or light waves that can be used to
determine the direction of movement of a wave source
Doppler radar measures the location and strength of precipitation
hygrometer measures humidity
psychrometer measures relative humidity using a pair of dry bulb and wet bulb
thermometers
radiosonde a transmitter sent up in a weather balloon to send measurements of air
temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction
relative humidity a percentage of the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at
its current temperature
wind vane measures wind direction
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 9: Test
Unit 4 Earth’s Weather and Climate
Assignment 10: Glossary
adiabatic heating or cooling of gas by contraction or expansion
air mass large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity
anemometer measures wind speed
barometer measures air pressure
climate long-term average of weather in an area
condensation nuclei tiny particles in the atmosphere upon which water vapor can
condense
continental type of temperate climate over land
convection process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a liquid or a
gas
cyclone a severe storm
desertification the spread of desert environments
Doppler effect a change in the frequency of sound or light waves that can be used to
determine the direction of movement of a wave source
Doppler radar measures the location and strength of precipitation
drought a long period of unusually dry weather
Earth's energy budget the balance between the amount of energy coming in from the
Sun and going back out into space
eccentricity the shape of Earth's orbit about the Sun; can change from a more
elliptical to a more circular path and back
front where two different air masses meet
humidity moisture in the air
hygrometer measures humidity
jet stream fast moving stream of wind where cold, polar air meets warm air from the
equator
lake effect snow downpour of snow caused by an arctic air mass flowing over a warm lake
maritime type of temperate climate near an ocean or sea
Milankovitch cycles changes in Earth's orbit and tilt that occur every 100,000 years; believed
to be responsible for past ice ages
obliquity Earth's tilt
polar dry, cold climate zone above 60 degree latitude
precession movement of Earth's imaginary, rotating, polar axis
psychrometer measures relative humidity using a pair of dry bulb and wet bulb
thermometers
radiosonde a transmitter sent up in a weather balloon to send measurements of air
temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction
rain shadow effect when wind flow over mountains produces moist conditions on the
windward side of the mountains and dry conditions on the leeward side
relative humidity a percentage of the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at
its current temperature
source region area over which an air mass forms
subtropical hot, often dry, climate zone between 25 and 30 degrees latitude, north or
south of the equator
temperate seasonably variable climate zone between 40 and 60 degrees latitude,
north or south of the equator
thermohaline circulation water that moves because of its temperature and salt content
transpiration the process of plants releasing moisture from their leaves
tropical warm, moist climate zone near the equator
upwelling when wind allows cold dense water to rise from the bottom of the ocean
to the surface
urban heat island effect the tendency of streets and buildings to absorb and retain the
Sun's heat
weather day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions, including temperature, air
pressure, humidity, wind, cloud coverage, or precipitation
wind shear when winds change direction and speed up into the atmosphere
wind vane measures wind direction