Chapter 4 Vocab
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the average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time
Climate
the short term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which includes temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed
Weather
A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to the approximately 16km (10 miles)
Troposphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly to 16 to 50km (10-31 miles) above the surface of Earth
Stratosphere
The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface
Albedo
The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature
Saturation Point
The cooling effect or reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands
Adiabatic Cooling
The heating effect or increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume
Adiabatic Heating
The releases of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water
Latent Heat Release
Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal eating of Earth
Atmosphere Convection Current
A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30°N and 30°S
Hadley Cell
The latitude that received the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge
Intertropical Convergence Zone
A convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60°N and 60°S and sinks at the poles, 90°N and 90°S
Polar Cell
A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells
Ferrell Cell
The deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of Earth.
Coriolis Effect
A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side
Rain Shadow
A large scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere
Gyre
The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents
Upwelling
An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water
Thermohaline Circulation
A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific
El nino southern oscillation (ENSO)
A geographic region categorized by a particular combination on average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land
Terrestrial Biome
An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow
Aquatic Biome
An area where a particular species live in nature
Habitat
The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow
Littoral zone