Weather Unit

Question 1

a form of energy that can move through the vacuum of space

Answer 1

electromagnetic waves

Question 2

the direct transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

Answer 2

radiation

Question 3

wavelengths that you can see

Answer 3

visible light

Question 4

wavelengths that can not be seen and are longer than red light

Answer 4

infrared radiation

Question 5

wavelengths that can not be seen and are shorter than violet light- can cause sunburn

Answer 5

ultraviolet radiation

Question 6

dust particles and gas that scatter light in all directions in this process

Answer 6

scattering

Question 7

process in which gases hold heat in the atmosphere

Answer 7

greenhouse effect

Question 8

the average amount of energy of motion in each particle of a substance

Answer 8

temperature

Question 9

thermal energy
the TOTAL amount of energy of motion in the particles of a substance

Answer 9

thermal energy

Question 10

temperature scale where the freezing point of water is at 0 degrees and boiling point is 100 degrees

Answer 10

Celsius

Question 11

temperature scale where the freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point is 212 degrees

Answer 11

Farenheit

Question 12

Also known as absolute zero- the temperature at which all life dies- freezing point of water is 273 degrees, the boiling point is 373 degrees

Answer 12

Kelvin Scale

Question 13

the transfer of thermal energy from a hotter object to a cooler object

Answer 13

heat

Question 14

the direct transfer of heat from one object to another

Answer 14

conduction

Question 15

the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid (or gas)

Answer 15

convection

Question 16

the way heat travels through the troposphere- warm air rises, cool air sinks

Answer 16

convection currents

Question 17

horizontal movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

Answer 17

wind

Question 18

instrument used to measure wind speed

Answer 18

anemometer

Question 19

the increased cooling a wind can cause

Answer 19

wind-chill factor

Question 20

winds that blow over a short distance caused by the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface within a small area

Answer 20

local winds

Question 21

winds that blow over a large distance caused by the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface over a large area

Answer 21

global winds

Question 22

local wind that blows from the ocean (lake) to the land

Answer 22

sea breeze

Question 23

local wind that blows from the land over the ocean (lake)

Answer 23

land breeze

Question 24

The Earth’s rotation makes the winds curve

Answer 24

Coriolis Effect

Question 25

distance from the equator, measured in degrees

Answer 25

latitude

Question 26

area near (on) the equator where no winds blow

Answer 26

doldrums

Question 27

area at 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South that is calm due to falling air

Answer 27

horse latitudes

Question 28

winds that blow from the horse latitudes toward the equator

Answer 28

trade winds

Question 29

winds that blow cold air away from the poles

Answer 29

polar easterlies

Question 30

winds that blow air away from the horse latitudes- we live in this area

Answer 30

prevailing westerlies

Question 31

bands of high speed winds that blow 10 kilometers about the surface

Answer 31

jet streams

Question 32

measure of the amount of water vapor in the air

Answer 32

humidity

Question 33

the percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the amount the air can actually hold

Answer 33

relative humidity

Question 34

an instrument used to measure the relative humidity in the air

Answer 34

psychrometer

Question 35

the temperature at which condensation occurs

Answer 35

dew point

Question 36

the evaporation of water from plants

Answer 36

evapotranspiration

Question 37

when a solid goes directly into a gas without being a liquid first (evaporation of ice into air)

Answer 37

sublimation

Question 38

water that cannot sink into the ground "runs off" into various places- ditches, lakes

Answer 38

surface runoff

Question 39

wispy, feathery clouds located high in the troposphere and are made of ice crystals- usually indicate good weather

Answer 39

cirrus clouds

Question 40

clouds that form in layers

Answer 40

stratus clouds

Question 41

clouds that look like fluffy cotton balls formed close to the ground- they can grow very tall

Answer 41

cumulus clouds

Question 42

thunderstorm clouds- dark, tall clouds associated with stormy weather

Answer 42

cumulonimbus clouds

Question 43

dark, layered rain clouds that cover the sky- associated with all day rain

Answer 43

nimbostratus clouds