Atmosphere Basics
Heat and energy
Global Winds
Air Masses and Air Pressure
Fronts
100

This gas makes up most of Earth’s atmosphere.

What is nitrogen?

100

This type of heat transfer occurs through direct contact.

What is conduction?

100

Differences in air pressure are caused by this.

What is uneven heating?

100

Air masses are classified based on these two properties.

What are temperature and humidity?

100

This front is shown by blue triangles on one side of a line.

What is a cold front?

200

This atmospheric layer is where weather occurs.

What is the troposphere?

200

Land heats and cools _____ than water.

What is faster?

200

Caused by the Earth’s rotation, which curves moving air and water.

What is the Coriolis effect?

200

High pressure systems are usually associated with these conditions.

What is clear/sunny weather?

200

This type of front forms when a cold front overtakes a warm front.

What is an occluded front?

300

This form of oxygen absorbs most harmful UV radiation.

What is ozone (O3)?

300

This process transfers heat through the movement of currents like air or water.

What is convection?

300

These circulation cells move warm air toward the poles and cool air toward the equator.

What are Hadley Cells?

300

Air masses and wind generally move:

What is high to low pressure?
300

Along a front, this type of air is forced upward.

What is warm, less dense air?
400

Climate differs from weather because climate describes conditions over:

What is many years/long periods of time?

400

This natural effect keeps Earth warm enough to support life.

What is the greenhouse effect?

400

The movement of warm air rising and cool air sinking is called:

What is convection?

400
An air mass that forms over the Gulf of Mexico would most likely have these conditions.

What are warm and humid conditions?

400

A fast-moving cold front usually brings this type of precipitation.

What is heavy precipitation for a short period of time?

500

This boundary separates the troposphere from the stratosphere.

What is the tropopause?

500

Heat travels through electromagnetic waves.

What is radiation?

500

These winds move west to east along Earth's surface.

What are westerlies?

500

Low pressure systems are commonly associated with these conditions.

What are clouds and stormy weather?

500

This type of front occurs when the boundary between air masses does not move.

What is a stationary front?