Earth's Atmosphere
What are the three states in which water naturally occurs.
Liquid water, ice, water vapor
What type of instrument would be used to measure wind speed?
an anemometer
Where is most of Earth's freshwater contained?
In glaciers
What is the average salinity of seawater?
35 ppt.
Minerals are an inorganic ________.
solid
What part of the atmosphere helps protect Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet rays.
the ozone layer
What type of weather could produce a tornado?
a thunderstorm
What is the difference between point-source and nonpoint-source pollution?
We know where point-source pollution comes from but we do not know where nonpoint-source pollution comes from.
What can cause a tsunami?
The displacement of large amounts of water caused by a meteor, earthquake, avalanche, or underwater volcano.
These are formed when liquid containing minerals evaporates.
crystals
What is the term used to describe whether circulating air motions will be strong or weak?
stability
What type of weather might be seen with a low-pressure system.
Clouds and sometimes precipitation
evaporation, condensation, precipitation
In what motion do the particles in a wave move?
a circular motion
What is luster?
Luster is the amount of light a mineral absorbs or reflects at its surface.
How does air pressure change as altitude changes.
How many cells total are found in the three-cell model.
Six cells total - 3 in the northern hemisphere and 3 in the southern hemisphere.
What takes place between wind and water to cause the movement of water when wind blows over its surface.
friction
What happens in a density current?
Warm ocean water rises and cold ocean water sinks
What is streak.
The color of a mineral in powder form, or, the color a mineral leaves behind when scratched on a porcelain plate.
What two layers of the atmosphere in which temperature decreases while altitude increases.
the troposphere and the mesosphere
Why can a hurricane be much more damaging than a tornado?
Even though tornadoes can have much greater wind speeds, hurricanes can last longer and bring lots of water and high waves which can cause more extensive damage.
What temperature does water freeze and what temperature does water reach maximum density?
How does a breaker form?
The top of a wave moves faster than the bottom of the wave and then it collapses.
What is a silicate?
Silicates are minerals that contain silicon and oxygen.