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Earth Science - Chapters 16, 17 & 18
Geoffrey Force Earth Science Class Test 4
133
Science
Undergraduate 1
04/04/2011

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Term
Aerosols
Definition
Tiny Solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere.
Term
Air
Definition
A mixture of many discrete gases, of which nitrogen and oxygen are most abundant, in which varying quantities of tiny solid and liquid particles are suspended.
Term
Albedo
Definition
The reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of the incident radiation reflected.
Term
Autumnal Equinox
Definition
The equinox that occurs on Sept. 21 -23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on march 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
Circle of Illumination
Definition
The great circle that seperates daylight from darkness.
Term
Climate
Definition
A description of aggergate weather conditions; the sum of all statistical weather information that helps describe a place or region.
Term
Conduction
Definition
The transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity. Energy is transferred through collisions from one molecule to another.
Term
Convection
Definition
The transfer of heat by the movement of a mass or substance. It can take place only in fluids.
Term
Diffused Light
Definition
Solar energy scattered and reflected in the atmosphere that reaches Earth's surface in the form of diffuse blue light from the sky.
Term
Electromagnetic Radiation (Radiation)
Definition
The transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves.
Term
Element (of weather and climate)
Definition
A substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical or physical means.
Term
Enviromental Lapse Rate
Definition
The rate of temperature decrease with increasing height in the troposphere.
Term
Greenhouse Effect
Definition
The transmission of short-wave solar radiation by the atmosphere, coupled with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Term
Heat
Definition
The kinetic energy of random molecular motion.
Term
Inclination of the Axis
Definition
The tilt of Earth's axis from the perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit.
Term
Infrared
Definition
Radiation with a wavelength from 0.7 to 200 micrometers.
Term
Isotherm
Definition
Lines connecting points of equal temperature.
Term
Mesosphere
Definition
The layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere and characterized by decreasing temperatures with height.
Term
Ozone
Definition
A molecule of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms.
Term
Radiation
Definition
The transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves.
Term
Reflection
Definition
The process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity.
Term
Revolution
Definition
The motion of one body about another, as Earth about the Sun.
Term
Rotation
Definition
The spinning of a body, such as Earth, about its axis.
Term
Scattering
Definition
The redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere. The result is diffused light.
Term
Spring Equinox
Definition
The equinox that occurs on March 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on Sept. 21-23 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
Stratosphere
Definition
The layer of the atmosphere immediately above the troposphere, characterized by increasing temperatures with height, owing to the concentration of ozone.
Term
Summer Solstice
Definition
The solstice that occurs on June 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21-22 in the Southern Hemisohere.
Term
Temperature
Definition
A measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance; a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual atoms or molecules in a substance.
Term
Thermosphere
Definition
The region of the atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere and characterized by increasing temperatures due to absorption of very shortwave solar energy by oxygen.
Term
Tropic of Cancer
Definition
The parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees south latitude, marking the northern limit of the Sun's verticle rays.
Term
Tropic of Capricorn
Definition
The parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees south latitude, marking the southern limit of the Sun's verticle rays.
Term
Troposhpere
Definition
The lowermost layer of the atmosphere. It is generally characterized by a decrease in temperature with height.
Term
Ultraviolet
Definition
Radiation with a wavelength from 0.2 to 0.4 micrometer.
Term
Visable Light
Definition
Radiation with a wavelength from 0.4 to 0.7 micrometer.
Term
Weather
Definition
The state of the atmosphere at any given time.
Term
Winter Solstice
Definition
The solstice that ocurs on december 21-22 in the northern hemisphere and on june 21-22 in the southern hemisphere.
Term
Absolute Instability
Definition
Air that has a lapse rate greater than the dry adiabatic rate.
Term
Absolute Stability
Definition
Air with a lapse rate less than the wet adiabatic rate.
Term
Adiabatic Temperature Change
Definition
Cooling or warming of air caused when air is allowed to expand or is compressed, not because heat is added or subtracted.
Term
Advection Fog
Definition
A fog formed when warm, moist air is blown over a cool surface.
Term
Bergeron Process
Definition
A theory that relates the formation of precipitation to supercooled clouds, freezing nuclei, and the different saturation levels of ice and liquid water.
Term
Calorie
Definition
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1*C.
Term
Cirrus
Definition
One of three basic cloud forms; also one of three high cloud types. They are thin, delicate ice-crystal clouds often appearing as veil-like patches or thin, wispy fibers.
Term
Cloud
Definition
A form of condensation best described as a dense concentration of suspended water droplets or tiny ice crystals.
Term
Cloud of Verticle Development
Definition
A cloud that has its base in the low-height range but extends upward into the middle or high altitudes.
Term
Collision-Coalescence Process
Definition
A theory of raindrop formation in warm clouds (above 0*C) in which large cloud droplets (giants) collide and join together with smaller droplets to form a raindrop. Opposite electrical charges may bind the cloud droplets together.
Term
Condensation
Definition
The change of state from a gas to a liquid.
Term
Condensation Nuclei
Definition
Tiny bits of particular matter that serve as surfaces on which water vapor condenses.
Term
Conditional Instability
Definition
Moist air with a lapse rate between the dry and wet adiabatic rates.
Term
Convergence
Definition
The condition that exists when the distribution of winds within a given area results in a net horizontal inflow lower levels is associated with an upward movement of air, areas of convergent winds are regions favorable to cloud formation and precipitation.
Term
Cumulus
Definition
1 of 3 basic cloud forms; also the name given one of the cloudsof vertical development. ____ are billowy individual cloud masses that often have flat bases.
Term
Deposition
Definition
The process by which water vapor is changed directly to a solid without passing through the liquid state.
Term
Dew-Point Temperature
Definition
The temperature to which air has to be cooled in order to reach saturation.
Term
Dry Adiabatic Rate
Definition
The rate of adiabatic cooling or warming in unsaturated air. The rate of temperature change is 1*C per 100 meters.
Term
Evaporation
Definition
The process of converting a liquid to a gas.
Term
Fog
Definition
A cloud with its base at or very near Earth's surface.
Term
Freezing Nuclei
Definition
Solid particles that serve as cores for the formation of ice crystals.
Term
Front
Definition
The boundary between two adjoining air masses having contrasting characteristics.
Term
Frontal Fog
Definition
Fog formed when rain evaporates as it falls through a layer of cool air.
Term
Frontal Wedging
Definition
lifting of air resulting when cool air acts as a barrier over which warmer, lighter air will rise.
Term
Glaze
Definition
A coating of ice on objects formed when supercooledb rain freezes on contact.
Term
Hail
Definition
Nearly spherical ice pellets having concentric layers and formed by the successive freezing of layers of waters.
Term
High Cloud
Definition
A cloud that normally has its base above 6,000 meters; the base may be lower in winter and at high-latitude locations.
Term
Humidity
Definition
A general term referring to water vapor in the air but not to liquid droplets of fog, cloud, or rain.
Term
Hygrometer
Definition
An instrument designed to meausure relative humidity.
Term
Hygroscopic Nuclei
Definition
Condensation nuclei having a high affinity for water, such as salt particles.
Term
Latent Heat
Definition
The energy absorbed or released during a change in state.
Term
Localized Convective Lifting
Definition
Unequal surface heating that causes localized pockets of air (thermals) to rise because of their buoyancy.
Term
Low Cloud
Definition
A cloud that forms below a height of 2,000 meters.
Term
Middle Cloud
Definition
A cloud occupying the height range from 2,000 to 6,000 meters.
Term
Mixing Ratio
Definition
The mass of water vapor in a unit mass of dry air; commonly expressed as grams of water vapor per kilogram of dry air.
Term
Orographic Lifting
Definition
Mountains acting as bsarriers to the flow of air, forcing the air to ascend. The air cools adiabatically, and clouds and precipitation may result.
Term
Parcel
Definition
An imagiinary volume of air enclosed in a thin elastic cover. Typically it is considered to be a few hundred cubic meters in volume and is assumed to act independently of the surrounding air.
Term
Precipitation Fog
Definition
Fog formed when rain evaporates as it falls through a layer of cool air.
Term
Psychrometer
Definition
A device consisting of two thermometers (wet bulb and dry bulb) that is rapidly whirled and, with the use of tables, yields the relative humidity and dew point.
Term
Radiation Fog
Definition
Fog resulting from radiation heat loss by Earth.
Term
Rain
Definition
drops of water that fall from a cloud and have a diameter of at least 0.5 millimeter.
Term
Rain Shadow Desert
Definition
A dry area on the lee side of a mountain range. Many middle-latitude deserts are of this type.
Term
Relative Humidity
Definition
The ratio of the air's water-vapor content to its water-vapor capacity.
Term
Rime
Definition
A thin coating of ice on objects produced when supercooled fog droplets freeze on contact.
Term
Saturation
Definition
The maximum quantity of water vapor that the air can hold at any given temperature and pressure.
Term
Sleet
Definition
Frozen or semifrozen rain formed when raindrops freeze as they pass through a layer of cold air.
Term
Snow
Definition
A solid form of precipitation produced by sublimination of water vapor.
Term
Stable Air
Definition
Air that resists verticle displacement. If it is lifted, adiabatic cooling will cause its temperature to be lower than the surrounding environment; if it is allowed, it will sink to its original position.
Term
Steam Fog
Definition
Fog having the apperance of steam, produced by evaporation from a warm water surface into the cool air above.
Term
Stratus
Definition
1 of 3 basic cloud forms; also, the name given 1 of the flow clouds. They are sheets or layers that cover much or all of the sky.
Term
Sublimation
Definition
The conversion of a solid directly to a gas without passing through the liquid state.
Term
Supercooled
Definition
The condition of water droplets that remain in the liquid state at temperatures well below 0*C.
Term
Supersaturation
Definition
The condition of being more highly concentrated than is normally possible under given temperature and pressure conditions. When describing humidity, it refers to a relative humidity that is greater than 100 percent.
Term
Unstable Air
Definition
Air that does not resist vertical displacement. if it is lifted, its temperature will not cool as rapidly as the surrounding environment, so it will continue to rise on its own.
Term
Upslope Fog
Definition
Fog created when air moves up a slope and cools adiabatically.
Term
Vapor Pressure
Definition
That part of the total atmospheric pressure attributable to water-vapor content.
Term
Wet Adiabatic Rate
Definition
The rate of adiabatic temperature change in saturated air. The rate of temperature change is variable, but it is always less than the dry adiabatic rate.
Term
Air Pressure
Definition
The force exerted by the weight of a column of air above a given point.
Term
Aneroid Barometer
Definition
An instrument for measuring air pressure that consists of evacuated metal chambers very sensitive to variations in air pressure.
Term
Anticyclone
Definition
A high-pressure center characterized by a clockwise flow of air in the Northern Hemisphere.
Term
Barograph
Definition
A recording barometer.
Term
Barometric Tendency (Pressure Tendency)
Definition
The nature of the change in atmospheric pressure over the past several hours. It can be a useful aid in short-range weather prediction.
Term
Chinook
Definition
A wind blowing down the leeward side of a mountain and warming by compression.
Term
Convergence
Definition
The condition that exists when the distribution of winds within a given area results in a net horizontal inflow lower levels is associated with an upward movement of air, areas of convergent winds are regions favorable to cloud formation and precipitation.
Term
Coriolis Effect
Definition
The deflective force of Earth's rotation on all free-moving objects, including the atmosphere and oceans. Deflection is to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
Country Breeze
Definition
A circulation pattern characterized by a light wind blowing into a city from the surrounding countryside. It is best developed on clear and otherwise calm nights when the urban heat island is most pronounced.
Term
Cup Anemometer (Anemometer)
Definition
An instrument used to determine wind speed.
Term
Cyclone
Definition
A low-pressure center characterized by a counterclockwise flow of air in the Northern Hemisphere.
Term
Divergence
Definition
The condition that exists when the distribution of winds within a given area results in a net horizontal outflow of air from the region. In ____ at lower levels the resultign deficit is compensated for by a downward movement of air from aloft; hence, areas of __ winds are unfavorable to cloud formation and precipitation.
Term
El Nino
Definition
The name given to the periodic warming of the ocean that occurs in the central and eastern pacific. A major ____ episode can cause extreme weather in many parts of the world.
Term
Equatorial Low
Definition
A belt of low pressure lying near the equator and between the subtropical highs.
Term
Geostrophic Wind
Definition
A wind, usually above a height of 600 meters (2,000 feet), that blows parallel to the isobars.
Term
High
Definition
A center of high pressure characterized by anticyclonic winds.
Term
Isobar
Definition
A line drawn on a map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure, usually corrected to sea level.
Term
Jet Stream
Definition
Swift (120-240 Kilometers per hour), high-altitude winds.
Term
Land Breeze
Definition
A local wind blowing from land toward the water during the night in coastal areas.
Term
La Nina
Definition
An episode of strong trade winds and unusually low sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. Opposite of El Nino.
Term
Low
Definition
A center of low pressure characterized by cyclonic winds.
Term
Mercury Barometer
Definition
a mercury-filled glass tube in which the height of the mercury column is a measure of air pressure.
Term
Monsoon
Definition
Seasonal reversal of wind direction associated with large continents, especially Asia. In winter, the wind blows from land to sea; in summer, from sea to land.
Term
Mountain Breeze
Definition
The nightly downslope winds commonly encountered in mountain valleys.
Term
Polar Easterlies
Definition
In the global pattern of prevailing winds, winds that blow from the polar high toward the subpolar low. These winds, however, should not be thought of as persistent winds, such as the trade winds.
Term
Polar Front
Definition
The stormy frontal zone seperating air masses of polar origin from air masses of tropical origin.
Term
Polar High
Definition
Anticyclones that are assumed to occupy the inner polar regions and are believed to be thermally induced, at least in part.
Term
Pressure Gradient
Definition
The amount of pressure change occuring over a given distance.
Term
Pressure Tendency
Definition
The nature of the change an atmospheric pressure over the past several hours. it can be a useful aid in short-range weather prediction.
Term
Prevailing Wind
Definition
A wind that consistently blows from one direction more than from another.
Term
Santa Ana
Definition
The local name given a chinook wind in southern California.
Term
Sea Breeze
Definition
A local wind blowing from the sea during the afternoon in coastal areas.
Term
Southern Oscillation
Definition
The seesaw pattern of atmospheric pressure between the eastern and western pacific.
Term
Subpolar Low
Definition
Low pressure located at about the latitudes of the Arctic and Antarctic circles. In the Northern Hemisphere the low takes the form of individual oceanic cells; in the Southern Hemisphere there is a deep and continous trough of low pressure.
Term
Subtropical High
Definition
Not a continous belt of hifh pressure but rather several semipermanent, anticyclonic centers characterized by subsidence and divergence located roughly between latitudes 25 and 35 degrees.
Term
Trade Winds
Definition
Two belts of winds that blow almost constantly from easterly directions and are located on the equatorward sides of the subtropical highs.
Term
Valley Breeze
Definition
The daily upslope winds commonly encountered in a mountain valley.
Term
Westerlies
Definition
The dominant west-to-east motion of the atmosphere that characterizes the regions on the poleward side of the subtropical highs.
Term
Wind
Definition
Air flowing horizontally with respect to Earth's surface.
Term
Wind Vane
Definition
An instrument used to determine wind direction.
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