Unit 4 Science Vocab Flashcards
Convection Currents
when lighter, warm air rises while heavier, cool air sinks. This movement creates a circulation pattern, especially in oceans
Density
a measure of how compact a substance is
Air Mass
air in the atmosphere with horizontal temperature, humidity, and pressure that is mostly the same
High Pressure
when the atmospheric pressure is higher than average
Low Pressure
when the atmospheric pressure is below average
Atmosphere
gases that surround and envelop the Earth
Climograph
a graph that shows the basic climate of a location
Climate
the weather conditions in an area in general or over a long period of time, unlike weather
Precipitation
liquids or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere and eventually falls back to Earth
Wind
the natural movement of air blowing from a particular direction in the form of a current
Weather System
the movement of warm and cold air across the Earth, known as low pressure systems and high pressure systems
Currents
air or a body of water moving in a set direction through a surrounding body of water or air where there is less movement
Ocean Currents
the continuous movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind (Coriolis Effect), and water density
Coriolis Effect
Earth rotates as wind blows, making it seems like winds are curved
Jet Stream
a river of fast moving air high up in the atmosphere that pushes fronts and controls other weather patterns
