APES Mod 9-11 Vocab Flashcards
(23 cards)
Adiabatic Cooling
The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands
Adiabatic Heating
The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume
Albedo
The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface
Atmospheric Convection Current
Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth
Climate
The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time
Coriolis Effect
The deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of Earth
Earth’s Tilt
Earth’s tilt on its axis relative to its orbital plane around the Sun
ENSO
A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific.
Equinox
the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight.
Ferrell Cell
A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells
Gyre
A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hadley Cell
A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30° N and 30° S.
ITCZ
The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge.
Latent Heat of Release
The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water.
Polar Cell
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.
Rain Shadow
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.
Saturation Point
The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature.
Solstice
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km (10–31 miles) above the surface of Earth.
Thermohaline Circulation
An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water.
Troposhere
A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16 km (10 miles).
Upwelling
The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents.
Weather
The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed.
