Sun & Earth
What is the movement of Earth on its axis called?
Rotation
What is the envelope of gases that surrounds Earth called?
The atmosphere
What is water that falls from clouds to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail called?
Precipitation
What is the general pattern or average of weather in an area over a long period of time called?
Climate
What is the movement of air caused by the heating and cooling of air masses called?
wind
How long does it take Earth to complete one full rotation?
24 hours
What is the measure or indication of the amount of thermal energy in the air?
Temperature
What is the temperature at which water vapor begins to condense?
dew point
What is a large region where distinct populations of plants and animals live together called?
A biome
What are the hot prevailing winds that blow in the tropics called?
Trade winds
What is the imaginary line that runs through the North and South Poles, around which Earth rotates?
The axis
What is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific time and place called?
Weather
What are the three main processes of the hydrologic cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation
What is the latitude zone located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn called?
The Tropics
What effect causes moving air and water to be deflected because of Earth's rotation?
The Coriolis effect
What is the difference between Earth's rotation and revolution?
Rotation is Earth's spin on its axis, while revolution is Earth's orbit around the sun.
What is the weight of gases in the atmosphere on a surface area known as?
Atmospheric pressure
What happens during condensation in the hydrologic cycle?
Water vapor changes into liquid water or ice, forming clouds.
What are the three major latitude zones of Earth?
The tropics, temperate zones, and polar regions
How does the cold Peru Current affect the climate along the coast of Chile?
It cools the coastal air, reduces evaporation, and contributes to dry conditions.
What event occurs when the sun reaches its greatest angular distance north or south of the equator?
Solstice
What is the boundary or line where two air masses, often with different temperatures, meet?
A front
What type of precipitation occurs when moist air is forced upward over mountains, cools, and condenses?
Orographic precipitation
What is the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain called, where little water vapor remains after air crosses the mountain?
A rain shadow
How do global wind belts and the Coriolis effect work together to distribute thermal energy around Earth?
Wind belts move air and thermal energy around the planet, while the Coriolis effect deflects the movement of air due to Earth's rotation.