The Solar System & Earth
The envelope of gases that surrounds the earth and is held in place by gravity.
The Atmosphere
What zone has more complex weather patterns?
Temperate Zone
What is the measure of the amount of moisture in a given volume of air at a given temperature
Humidity
What instrument do meteorologists use to measure temperature?
Thermometer
Twice each year the length of day and night are approximately equal all over the planet. This event is called the:
Equinox
Describe the type of air typically produced in the polar regions.
Cold, dry air
What is the condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place.
Weather
Atmospheric pressure is the weight of gases in the atmosphere on a surface area. It is measured by this instrument.
Barometer
Twice each year the sun reaches its greatest angular distance from the equator. This event is called the:
Solstice
Describe the type of air typically produced in the tropics.
warm, moist air
When concentrated water droplets become too heavy to be supported by updrafts of wind, they fall to earth
Precipitation
The rotation of the earth greatly influences wind direction in something known as this effect.
The Coriolis effect
Define climate
The average weather in an area over an extended length of time.
What is the solar system composed of?
The sun, planets, small solar system bodies, and other objects held in orbit by the sun’s gravity.
Name the 3 Latitude Zones
Tropics, Temperate, & Polar
What is an indication of the amount of thermal energy in the air.
Temperature
What is the study of the atmosphere, including its composition, structure, weather, and alteration.
Meteorology
What is a graph or chart that represents a particular location’s climate over a given period of time.
Climograph
What are seasons caused by? (Two things)
The slant of sunlight and the tilt of the earth’s axis
What is the land beyond the mountains, usually very dry because little water vapor survives the passage.
Rain shadow
What is the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
The hydrologic Cycle
What is a Biome?
Any large region where distinct populations of plants and animals are found living together.