Atmosphere
What is the blanket of gases surrounding Earth?
The atmosphere
Clue: What is the main energy source that drives the water cycle?
Correct response: The Sun.
Clue: What is the scientific study of weather and the atmosphere?
Correct response: Meteorology.
Clue: What describes the long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation in an area?
Correct response: Climate.
Clue: What atmospheric gas do humans need for cellular respiration?
Correct response: Oxygen.
What gas makes up the largest percentage of Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen.
Clue: What process changes liquid water into water vapor?
Correct response: Evaporation.
Clue: What do we call the amount of water vapor in the air?
Correct response: Humidity.
Clue: What are the three major climate zones commonly taught in science?
Correct response: Tropical, temperate, and polar.
Clue: What is the name for water flowing over Earth's surface after precipitation?
Correct response: Runoff.
In which atmospheric layer is the ozone layer found?
The stratosphere.
Clue: What is precipitation?
Correct response: Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Clue: What is a large body of air with similar temperature and moisture throughout?
Correct response: An air mass.
A large region characterized by its climate and typical plants and animals.
a biome
Clue: What type of front often forms when a cold air mass pushes beneath a warm air mass?
Correct response: A cold front.
Clue: What instrument measures air pressure?
Correct response: A barometer.
Clue: What is the process by which plants release water vapor?
Correct response: Transpiration.
Clue: What boundary forms when two air masses meet?
Correct response: A front.
Dry conditions on the leeward side of a mountain caused by air losing moisture on the windward side.
rain shadow effect?
Clue: What do we call gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere?
Correct response: Greenhouse gases.
Clue: In which atmospheric layer do most meteors burn up?
Correct response: The mesosphere.
Clue: What underground layer of rock or sediment stores and carries groundwater?
Correct response: An aquifer.
Clue: What local wind blows from the sea toward the land during the day?
Correct response: A sea breeze.
Clue: What is the gradual increase in Earth's average temperature called?
Correct response: Global warming.
Clue: What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions; climate describes long-term patterns.