Vocabulary
Air Pressure & Density
Heat Transfer
Air Masses & Air Fronts
Mixed Bag
100
What is the term used to describe the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere?
Humidity
100
What is air pressure?
Air pressure is the force that is pushed on all forms of matter.
100
Heat Energy constantly flows from __________ substances to __________ substances.
hotter, colder
100
This type of air mass is known to be warm and humid.
Maritime Tropical
100
What is the force that pulls everything down on earth?
Gravity
200
What term describes the layer of gases surrounding Earth?
Atmosphere
200
True or False: There are MORE nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases molecules the closer you are to earth's surface.
True
200
__________ is the direct transfer of heat from one substance to another.
Conduction
200
This type of air mass is known to be cold and dry.
Continental Polar
200
What are the names of each type of gas in our atmosphere and what is the percent each gas is in relation to the entire atmosphere?
Nitrogen (78%)
Oxygen (21%)
Trace Gases (About 1%)
300
This type of weather instrument measures wind speed.
Anemometer
300
When air is compressed, it is said to be under _______ ______________.
High Pressure
300
__________ is the transfer of heat by the circular movement of a fluid.
Convection
300
What is the difference between a Continental Tropical air mass and a Maritime Polar Air mass?
Continental Tropical air masses are dry and warm and Maritime Polar Air Masses are humid and cold.
300
Explain why we experience wind.
We experience wind due to a change in air pressure and temperature. When warm air rises, there is a space left over for cold air to rush in. This horizontal movement of air is called wind.
400
__________ is the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place.
Weather
400
Air Density __________ when you increase in altitude.
Air Density __________ when you decrease in altitude.
decreases, increases
400
Explain the type of heat transfer experienced from a metal slide in the summer becoming warm.
Radiation
400
Why do Polar air masses affect the West Coast of the United States more than the East coast?
The West Coast of the United States has the Rocky Mountains. It is difficult for cold air masses to move among the mountains because cold air masses sink and are closer to the Earth's surface. This is often the reason for fog, rain, and other types of precipitation.
400
What are latitude and longitude lines? How are they significant?
Latitude lines are invisible lines that run horizontal across the globe and longitude lines are invisible lines that run vertical across the globe. They are important to use when trying to locate points on earth, similar to locating points on a coordinate plane.
500
__________ is the average weather of a particular part of the world at different times of year.
Climate
500
Describe the difference in air pressure at higher altitudes compared to lower altitudes. Explain.
Air at higher altitudes has less pressure than air at lower altitudes. This is because air has weight and takes up space. Due to gravity, air closer to earth's surface contains the weight of all the air particles above it.
500
Describe the three types of heat transfer in the image below.
Conduction: Firewood gains heat energy by the warm fire through touch
Convection: The air above the fire circulates in a circular patterns as warm air rises, cool air sinks OR water in the pot boils in a circular motion
Radiation: Heat given off from the fire causes the pot to become hot or anyone near the fire to be warm
500
Where would you expect to find each type of air mass? Be specific!
Continental air masses are located on land.
Maritime air masses are located over bodies of water.
Polar air masses are located near the poles where it is cold.
Tropical air masses are located near the equator.
500
Explain the Coriolis Effect.
The Coriolis Effect is the reason objects appear to move along a curved path from the poles to the equator. Due to the Earth's rotation, winds that blow from the north pole to the equator appear to curve right and winds that blow from the south pole to the equator appear to curve to the left.