Unit 1 - Essential Vocabulary Flashcards
Solstice
In the north hemisphere, the summer solstice is the longest day and the winter solstice is the shortest.
Climate
The typical weather conditions at a particular location as observed over time.
Rain Shadow
The land on the leeward side of hills or mountains that gets little rain from the descending dry air.
Greenhouse Effect
The layer of gases released by the burning of coal and petroleum that traps solar energy, causing global temperatures to increase.
Ecosystem
An interdependent community of plants
Biosphere
All the parts of the earth where plants and animals live, including the atmosphere, the lithosphere, and the hydrosphere.
Lithosphere
The solid rock portion of the earth’s surface.
Society
A group that shares a geographic region, a common language, and sense of identity and culture.
Culture
The total knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors share by and passes on by members of a group
Acculturation
The cultural change that occurs when individuals in a society accept or adopt an innovation.
Diffusion
The spread of ideas, inventions, or patterns of behaviors to different societies.
Innovation
Taking existing elements of society and creating something new to meet a need.
Ethnic Group
A group of people who share language, customs, and a common heritage.
3 Monotheistic Religions
Christianity, Judaism, Islamic
Atheism
Not believing in a God
Dialect
A version of a language that reflects changes in speech patterns due to class, region, or cultural changes.
Equinox
Each of the two days in a year which day and night are equal length. Marks the beginning of spring and autumn.
Precipitation
Falling water droplets in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
Convection
The transfer of heat in the atmosphere by upward motion of the air.
Latitude/Longitude.
Latitude - parallel to equator ; Longitude - parallel to prime meridian
Magma
The molten rock material formed when solid rock in the earth’s mantel or crust melts.
Atmosphere
The layers of gases immediately surrounding the earth.
Continental Drift
The hypothesis that all continents were once joined to the deep part of it the ocean.
Monotheism
Believe in one god
