the branch of Earth Science that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole

the Earth Science dealing with phenomena of the atmosphere (especially weather)

a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks

the branch of Earth Science dealing with physical and biological aspects of the oceans

the study of the interactions of organisms and their surroundings

the study of the remains of organisms that once lived on Earth and their ancient environments

a series of problem-solving procedures that help scientists conduct experiments

a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations; a testable explanation of a situation that can be supported or disproved by careful procedures

the factor that is changed by the experimenter

a factor that is affected by changes in the independent variable

part of the experiment that is not being tested upon

the basic unit of temperature adopted under the SI unit

idea, picture, system, or mathematical expression that represents the concept being explained

an explanation based on many observations during repeated investigations

a principle that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon

the layer closest to Earth, where almost all weather occurs; the thinnest layer

the layer of the atmosphere that contains the ozone layer; temperature increases as you go up

the layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere and in which temperature decreases as altitude increases; coldest layer of the atmosphere

the layer that contains the ionosphere; high temperatures

the lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found

The outer layer of the atmosphere, transition layer into space

the direct transfer of energy through space by electromagnetic waves

the direct transfer of heat from one substance to another substance that it is touching

the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas

the most abundant gas in the atmosphere at 78%; a permanent and little-changing gas

second most common gas in the atmosphere at 21%; a permanent and little-changing gas

a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of two; protects us from dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the sun; changes over time

a variable gas in the atmosphere that is used by plants in photosynthesis and given off when animals respire

water in the form of a gas; changes amounts constantly

the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere

the transition between the mesosphere and the thermosphere

The upper boundary of the stratosphere where temperature reaches its highest point.

the actual amount of water in the air

the percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount the air could hold

the temperature at which the water vapor in the air becomes saturated and condensation begins

hidden energy; the energy absorbed or released during a change in state

the pressure exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere above the surface

Microscopic particles on which water vapor condenses to form cloud droplets.

an air mass is forced to rise over a topographic barrier such as a mountain

Thick, fluffy clouds with flat bases, formed by vertically rising air currents

Clouds that form in flat layers and often cover much of the sky.

wispy, feathery clouds made of ice crystals that form at high levels

the falling to earth of any form of water (rain or snow or hail or sleet)

the formation of a large rain droplet by the combination of millions of tiny droplets

The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back

an increase in temperature with height; warm air is on top of cold air sometimes trapping pollution

gases in the atmosphere such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone that can change over time

gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and argon that do not change percentages over time

large ice pellets that form in cumulonimbus clouds as air currents carry particles up and down through freezing and nonfreezing air

raindrops falling through a layer of freezing air near the ground

an air mass that does not rise; temperature of air is similar to surrounding air; can produce fair weather clouds such as cumulus

temperature of surrounding air is cooler than a rising air mass; can produce clouds associated with thunderstorms

the exchange of heat or moisture between an air mass and the underlying surface

a body of air that has about the same temperature and moisture throughout

Long-term variations in weather for a particular area

the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place

location where an air mass forms; must be a relatively large and uniform area

bitterly cold and dry

Cold dry air. forms usually over northern Canada and Alaska

describing a warm, dry air mass that forms over land in tropical regions

Cold and humid air mass. forms over icy cold North Pacific and Atlantic oceans. brings fog, rain, and cool tempuratures to the West coast

A type of air mass that is warm and humid. usually forms over the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic ocean.

The way Earth's rotation makes winds in the Northern Hemisphere curve to the right and winds in the Southern Hemisphere curve to the left.

narrow bands of high-speed winds that circle the earth, blowing from west to east

a temperature boundary between two air masses

forms when cold air moves under warm air which is less dense and pushes air up (produces thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow

a front where warm air moves over cold air and brings light precipitation and is followed by warm and clear weather

a front that forms when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass and lifts the warm air mass off the ground and over another air mass

a boundary between air masses that don't move, possibly causing precipitation for several days

pressure system with counterclockwise and inward winds that brings cloudiness and stormy weather

pressure system with clockwise and outward winds that bring clear blue skies and dry weather

winds that move from east to west between 60 degrees and the poles.

winds that blow west to east between 30 and 60 degrees.

winds that blow east to west between the equator and 30 degrees.

the study of atmospheric phenomena

An instrument used to measure temperature

an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure

an instrument used to measure wind speed http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6192/6085442133_d2f7d375ae.jpg

instrument for measuring the relative humidity of the atmosphere

instrument package carried by a weather balloon to record conditions at a higher altitude

a system that uses reflected radio waves to detect objects and measure their distance and speed

change in the apparent frequency of a wave as observer and source move toward or away from each other

Detects differences in thermal energy,which are used to map either cloud cover or surface temps. It helps meteorologists to determine the temp. of a cloud.

An arrangement of symbols and numbers that show the weather conditions recorded at a weather station

lines on a map drawn through all points having the same atmospheric pressure

lines that connect points that have the same temperature

weather forecast that uses numerical data to determine how atmosphereic variables change over time

weather forecast that compares current weather patterns to patterns that occurred in the past

the most accurate and detailed forecast, usually 1 to 3 days.

less reliable forecasts that may estimate the weather one to two weeks in the future

a usually brief, heavy storm that consists of rain, strong winds, lightning, and thunder

when air rises because of unequal heating or Earth's surface within one air mass

occurs when an air mass rises by orographic lifting, which involves air moving up the side of a mountain

occur when land and water store and release thermal energy differently

produced by advancing cold fronts and, more rarely,warm fronts

1st stage of a thunderstorm, strong updraft creates towering clouds with suspended droplets that release latent heat to raise temp so the cloud keeps growing up

the second phase of a thunderstorm, where downdrafts move from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud and produce heavy precipitation. Tornadoes touch down during this phase of the storm

stage of a thunderstorm that is characterized by the spreading of downdrafts through the storm, cutting off the updrafts

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

channel of of partially charged air moving away from a cloud

a branched channel of positively charged particles rushing upwards to create a lightning bolt

the sound caused by the rapid expansion of air along a lightning bolt

Extremely powerfull, self sustaining thunderstorm characterized by intense, rotating updrafts

violent downdrafts that are concentrated in a local area

a localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground

A scale that tells how severe a tornado is based on wind speed and the damage being caused.

Intense low-pressure area in the atmosphere, creating strong winds and heavy rainfall. Also called hurricane and typhoon.

spot in the middle of the hurricane where winds are gentle and there is no rain

the strongest windis in a hurricane are usually concentrated in a band immediately surrounding the eye

Classifies hurricanes according to wind speed, air pressure in the center, and storm surge height

a mound of ocean water, driven by hurricane winds, toward coastal areas

water overflows its natural or artificial banks into normally dry land

extended periods of well-below-average rainfall

extended periods of above-average temperatures

feel of temperature based on actual temperature and relative humidity

extended period of below-average temperatures

how cold air feels to the body with the wind

rotates counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere...brings cloudy/rainy weather

a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

A solid in which the atoms are arranged in a pattern that repeats again and again

The way a mineral reflects light from its surface

a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched

a scale to measure hardness of minerals (1-10). Softest is Talc, hardest is diamond.

physical property of some minerals that causes them to break along smooth, flat surfaces

the way a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way

the color of a mineral in powdered form

the property of a mineral in which the mineral glows under ultraviolet light

occurs when light passing through a mineral splits into two rays, so an object viewed through the mineral has a double image. Calcite, for example

The ratio of a substance's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water.

minerals that contain silicon and oxygen and usually one or more other elements

Term for minerals that do not contain silicon and oxygen.

a metal-bearing mineral valuable enough to be mined

highly prized minerals because they are rare and beautiful

A mineral that has a shiny surface, does not let light pass through, and is a good conductor of heat and electricity.

minerals that do not shine like metals but have a dull, greasy, earthy appearance.

Very common rock forming mineral made of silicon and oxygen

the most abundant element in earth's crust.

second most abundant element in the earth's crust.

O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Na, K, Mg--oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium

a mineral that is composed of only ONE element

smoothly curving, clamshell-shaped surfaces along which materials with no cleavage planes tend to break

most noticeable characteristic but not the most reliable in identifying minerals

Deep shafts dug into the earth in order to bring out natural resources such as gold, silver, or coal.

magma that flows onto the Earth's surface

molten rock beneath the earth's surface

rock that forms from the cooling of magma or lava

rock formed from the cooling and solidification of magma beneath Earth's surface

rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of lava at Earth's surface

Type of rock formed from magma which is rich in iron and magnesium. It is dark in color.

light colored, made from magma with high silica content, containing mostly quartz and feldspars

igneous rock with chemical and mineral composition between those of granite and basalt

the size, shape and distribution of crystals or grains in a rock

loose materials, such as rock fragments,mineral grains, and the remains of once-living plants and animals, that have been moved by wind, water, ice, or gravity.

The process that converts sediments into solid rock by compaction or cementation.

The process by which dissolved minerals crystalize and glue particles of sediment together into one mass.

The process by which sediments are pressed together under their own weight.

the chemical and physical processes that break down rock at Earth's surface

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another

process in which sediment is laid down in new locations

sedimentary rock consisting of rock fragments compacted and cemented together

Deposit formed by the evaporation of ocean water.

sedimentary rock that forms when minerals precipitate from a solution or settle from a suspension.

Rock that forms from the dead remains of plants and animals

Rock formed when exposed to extreme heat and pressure; rock that has changed form

type of rock formed by the compaction or cementing of layers of sediments; one of the three types of rock in the rock cycle

a change in the texture, structure, or chemical composition of a rock due to changes in temperature and pressure over a large area, sometimes as a result of tectonic forces

a change in the texture, structure, or chemical composition of a rock due to contact with magma.

sequence of events in which rocks are formed, destroyed, altered, and reformed by geological processes