Heating and Energy
Which has a higher specific heat?
Sand or Water
Water
These winds blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes.
the prevailing westerlies
The main difference between weather and climate.
weather is short-term, climate is long-term average conditions
One tool used to measure air temperature.
a thermometer
Warm and cold ocean currents are driven by these two factors
differences in temperature and salinity (density)
The part of Earth receiving the most solar radiation.
Equator
When two air masses meet and stall, this type of front forms.
a stationary front
A city near an ocean has a more constant ___ than an inland city.
temperature (or climate)
This tool measures air pressure.
a barometer
warm water ___ and cold water ___
rises; sinks
Polar regions are colder than the equator because of this.
Sun’s rays strike at a lower angle, spreading energy over a larger area
This type of front brings intense precipitation and thunderstorms.
a cold front
Data such as average temperature, precipitation, and vegetation help determine this.
a region’s climate
Three types of weather data meteorologists collect for weather maps.
temperature, air pressure, and wind direction
These currents help regulate Earth’s temperature by moving warm water toward the poles
surface currents
The uneven heating of land and water causes these daily wind patterns along coasts.
sea and land breezes
Two key properties scientists study to identify air masses.
temperature and humidity
The reason ocean currents affect climate.
they transport warm and cold water, redistributing heat around the planet
When cold, dry air meets warm, moist air, this usually happens.
(Think Cold Front)
stormy weather with precipitation
The difference between climates at two equatorial locations with rising and sinking air
rising air causes more rainfall, sinking air causes drier climate
This effect, caused by Earth’s rotation, makes winds curve instead of moving straight.
the Coriolis effect
These large bodies of air form over land or water and affect weather.
air masses
What type of climate we have.
Mild
True or False:
Weather can be predicted 100% accurately.
False
The relationship between ocean currents and global heat distribution.
currents move energy from the equator to the poles, balancing Earth’s temperature