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Climate Vocabulary.
Energy Flow in Global Systems
73
Science
10th Grade
10/21/2012

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Term
Weather
Definition
Conditions of temperature, air pressure, cloud cover, precipitation (rain or snow), and humidity that occur at a particular place at a particular time.
Term
Climate
Definition
Average weather conditions that occur in a region over a long period of time, usually a minimum of 30 years.
Term
Biosphere
Definition
A relatively thin layer of Earth that has conditions suitable for supporting life as we know it.
Term
Lithosphere
Definition
Solid portion of Earth, composed of rocks, minerals, and elements.
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
The layer of gases that surround Earth.
Term
Hydrosphere
Definition
All the water on Earth, whether present as liquid, water vapour or ice.
Term
Atmospheric Dust
Definition
Solid particles less than 0.66mm in diameter suspended in Earth's atmosphere.
Term
Altitude
Definition
The distance above Earth's surface, measured from sea level (the surface of Earth's oceans).
Term
Troposphere
Definition
Layer of atmospheric gases at 0km to 10km from Earth's surface.
Term
Stratosphere
Definition
Atmospheric layer above the troposphere, from 10 to 50km above Earth's surface.
Term
Ozone
Definition
A molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen.
Term
Ozone Layer
Definition
A layer in the stratosphere containing high levels of ozone gas.
Term
Mesosphere
Definition
The third atmospheric layer above Earth's surface.
Term
Thermosphere
Definition
Furthest atmospheric level from Earth's surface.
Term
Adaption
Definition
Any change in the structure or function of an organism that makes it more suited to its environment.
Term
Climate Change
Definition
Change that occurs in the climate of a region over time, usually a minimum of 30 years.
Term
Anecdotal Evidence
Definition
Evidence that relies on reports from people about particular events and their interpretation of these events; has not been tested for bias or to ensure it applies to general situations.
Term
Scientific Evidence
Definition
Evidence collected in a manner that, as much as possible ensures it is unbiased and reflects general situations, rather than particular events; is usually collected by trained scientists and checked by other scientists.
Term
Radiant Energy
Definition
Energy that is transmitted as electromagnetic waves.
Term
Insolation
Definition
The amount of solar energy received by a region of Earth's surface.
Term
Angle of Inclination
Definition
The degree by which Earth's poles are tilted form the perpendicular of the plane of its orbit, or 23.5˚C.
Term
Latitude
Definition
Imaginary lines that run parallel to Earth's equator.
Term
Solstice
Definition
One of the two points in Earth's orbit at which the poles are tilted toward or away from the Sun.
Term
Equinox
Definition
One of the two points in Earth's orbit when the number of daylight hours is equal to the number of hours of night.
Term
Angle of Incidence
Definition
The angle between a ray falling on a surface and the line of the perpendicular to that surface.
Term
Reflect
Definition
Change the direction of a ray of radiant energy.
Term
Absorb
Definition
To convert radiant energy into another form of energy, such as kinetic energy.
Term
Albedo
Definition
Percent of incoming solar radiation that a surface reflects.
Term
Natural Greenhouse Effect
Definition
The absorption of thermal energy by the atmosphere.
Term
Greenhouse Gases
Definition
Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Term
Net Radiation Budget
Definition
The difference between the amount of incoming radiation and outgoing radiation from Earth's surface and atmosphere.
Term
Thermal Energy Transfer
Definition
Movement of thermal energy from an area of high temperature to an area of low temperature.
Term
Radiation
Definition
Emissions of energy as particles or waves.
Term
Conduction
Definition
The transfer of thermal energy by direct contact between the particles of a substance, without moving the particles to a new location.
Term
Convection
Definition
The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles from one location to another.
Term
Fluids
Definition
Substances with no definite shape (such as gases and liquids).
Term
Current
Definition
Flow from one place to another in one direction.
Term
Density
Definition
Mass per volume of a substance.
Term
Atmospheric Pressure
Definition
The pressure exerted by the mass of air above any point on Earth's surface.
Term
Wind
Definition
Movement of cool air from an area of high atmospheric pressure to an area of low atmospheric pressure.
Term
Coriolis Effect
Definition
The deflection of any object from a straight line path, caused by the rotation of Earth.
Term
Jet Stream
Definition
A band of fast-moving air in the stratosphere.
Term
Specific Heat Capacity
Definition
Amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1g of a substance by 1˚C.
Term
Calorimeter
Definition
A device used to determine the transfer of thermal energy.
Term
Hydrologic Cycle
Definition
The process by which water molecules move from Earth's surface into the atmosphere and then back again. AKA Water Cycle.
Term
Water Cycle
Definition
The process by which water molecules move from Earth's surface into the atmosphere and then back again. AKA Hydrologic Cycle.
Term
Phase
Definition
The state of a substance (solid, liquid or vapour).
Term
Heat of Fusion
Definition
The amount of energy absorbed when 1mol of a substance changes from solid phase to liquid phase, without a change in temperature.
Term
Heat of Solidification
Definition
The amount of energy released when 1mol of a substance in the liquid phase changes to the solid phase, without a change in temperature.
Term
Heat of Vaporization
Definition
The amount of energy absorbed when 1mol of a substance changes from vapour phase to gas phase, without a change in temperature.
Term
Heat of Condensation
Definition
The amount of energy released when 1mol of a substance changes from the vapour phase to the liquid phases without a change in temperature.
Term
Biome
Definition
A large geographical region with a particular range of temperature and precipitation levels, and the plants and animals that are adapted to those climate conditions.
Term
System (In Animals & Plants)
Definition
A set of organs or parts that performs one or more functions as a unit.
Term
Surroundings
Definition
Everything that is outside of a system.
Term
Open System
Definition
A system that exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings.
Term
Closed System
Definition
Any system that exchanges energy with its surrounding but does not exchange matter.
Term
Prairie
Definition
A subtype of grassland biome found in regions such as North America; prairies have cooler average temperature than the other subtype of the grassland biome, savanna.
Term
Savanna
Definition
A subtype of grassland biome found in regions such as Africa, Central America, and Australia; prairies have warmer average temperature than the other subtype of the grassland biome, prairie.
Term
Climatograph
Definition
A summary of the average temperature and precipitation for each month of the year for a given location, presented as a graph.
Term
Fossil Fuels
Definition
Carbon-basses fuels formed the remains of living organisms
Term
Carbon Source
Definition
Any process that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, such as burning of fossil fuels.
Term
Carbon Sink
Definition
Any process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as photosynthesis.
Term
Halocarbons
Definition
Human-made chemicals that can absorb large quantities of thermal energy.
Term
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Definition
The change in Earth's net radiation budget, caused by the increase in human-generated greenhouse gases.
Term
Global Warming
Definition
The observed increase in Earth's average temperature over time.
Term
General Circulation Model
Definition
A climate model that incorporates the laws of physics to model climate on a global scale.
Term
Montreal Protocol
Definition
An international agreement to phase out the production and use of CFC's.
Term
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's)
Definition
Compounds with similar properties to CFC's, but which destroy ozone much more slowly.
Term
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Definition
An agreement by the world's nations to act in ways that will stabilize greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic sources.
Term
Sustainable Development
Definition
The use of the world's resources in a way that mantains the resources for future generations.
Term
Kyoto Protocol
Definition
An international agreement to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
Term
Emission-Reduction Credits (ERC's)
Definition
Credits given to a country under the Kyoto Protocol for actions that contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Term
Carbon Dioxide Sequestering
Definition
A process of pumping carbon dioxide into the ground and storing it in sealed containers; may also refer to pumping carbon dioxide gas into the ocean bottom at very deep levels.
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