Heat
The process of transferring energy in the form of waves is called...
Radiation
The device used to measure a wind's direction is a...
Weather vane.
The process of liquid water being converted into water vapor.
Evaporation
Clouds which form at a high altitude and are mostly formed of ice crystals.
Cirrus clouds
Define precipitation.
Any form of water which falls from clouds.
Explain the importance of the greenhouse effect. How does it help life on Earth?
The greenhouse effect is the process that allows the atmosphere to absorb heat. Because of this process, the Earth's temperature is more stable.
The belt of global winds covering most of the United States.
Prevailing westerlies.
The process of water vapor being converted into liquid water.
Condensation
What is a stratus cloud?
Stratus clouds are clouds which appear in layers, and usually cover a large portion of the sky.
The device used to measure the amount of precipitation is called a...
Rain gauge
Define convection.
The transfer of heat via the movement of fluids.
What is the doldrums, and where is it located? What causes it?
The doldrums are a region of calm air between the northern and southern trade winds (over the equator). It is caused by the rapid heating of cool air, which rises before it can create wind.
Define humidity.
The amount of moisture (water vapor) in the air.
Thickly layered clouds which cover the whole sky and usually appear with rain are called...
Nimbostratus clouds.
Define sleet.
A form of precipitation which passes through a cold layer of air, freezing on its way to the surface.
Define conduction.
The transfer of heat between substances through physical contact.
Why do land breezes occur?
Land breezes happen because the land cools more quickly than the ocean, causing a difference in air temperature, which causes a difference in pressure.
The temperature at which the air cannot hold any more water, causing it to begin condensing.
Dew point
What is an altocumulus cloud?
Altocumulus clouds are cumulus clouds which have formed at a higher altitude than usual.
How do clouds form? What causes them to produce precipitation?
Clouds form when warm, moist air rises and cools, causing the water vapor to condense around particles in the air. When the particles become heavy enough, they fall, producing precipitation.
Define temperature.
The average energy of the movement of particles in a substance.
What is the cause of wind? What is the difference between a local wind and a global wind?
Wind is caused by uneven heating on the Earth's surface. The difference between local and global winds is their scale.
Define relative humidity. What instrument is it measured with?
Relative humidity is a comparison between the air's humidity and the amount of water it can contain at its current temperature. It's measured with a psychrometer.
What is the difference between a cumulus and a cumulonimbus cloud? (Define both in your answer.)
Cumulus clouds are clouds that look like piles of cotton and usually appear in fair or partly cloudy weather. Cumulonimbus clouds are towering piles of cumulus clouds, and usually appear in a rainstorm or thunderstorm.
What are the differences between sleet and hail?
Hailstones are bigger. Also, hailstones form by freezing multiple times after passing through cold layers of the atmosphere repeatedly; sleet only passes through one cold layer, and freezes once.