CMS - Earth Science Vocabulary #1

Mrs. Ducham (United States of America)
20 words 63 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. convection
    transfer of heat caused by molecular motion in liquid or gas
    Winds on Mars are powered by solar-heat convection currents, as they are on other planets, including Earth. Slate (Dec 11, 2012)
  2. radiation
    energy transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles
    Tanaka said the leaked water had already been treated to remove cesium, which emits strong gamma radiation harmful to humans. Scientific American (Oct 10, 2013)
  3. Coriolis effect
    (physics) an effect whereby a body moving in a rotating frame of reference experiences the Coriolis force acting perpendicular to the direction of motion and to the axis of rotation; on Earth the Coriolis effect deflects moving bodies to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere
    Because of the Coriolis effect winds and water currents in the Northern Hemisphere will curve to the right.
  4. density
    the amount per unit size
    We will determine the density of several different wood samples.
  5. doldrums
    a state of inactivity
  6. global warming
    a rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere
    For years, scientists have been concerned about how this sensitive weather system might be changed by rising temperatures from global warming.
  7. greenhouse effect
    warming due to solar radiation trapped by the atmosphere
  8. theory
    a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the world
  9. temperature
    the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment
    Fire crews are still tackling the blazes on the outskirts of Sydney, despite temperatures and winds easing.
  10. hypothesis
    a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
    At the end of the experiment, the scientist stated that the hypothesis had not been supported.
  11. evaporation
    the process of becoming a suspension of particles in the air
    Hotter nights mean more evaporation, potentially draining the soil of moisture. Scientific American (Jan 14, 2013)
  12. condensation
    process of changing from a gas to a liquid or solid state
    Such condensation results in the release of latent heat, further warming the atmosphere. Scientific American (Mar 31, 2013)
  13. humidity
    wetness in the atmosphere
    Weather forecasts are calculated with computers that solve equations involving variables such as wind speed, pressure, temperature, air density and humidity. Scientific American (Jul 25, 2013)
  14. hurricane
    a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds
    The estimated probability that the 21st century will see more intense hurricane activity has fallen as well.
  15. ozone
    a colorless gas that is a screen for ultraviolet radiation
    The ozone layer is important because it absorbs much, but not all, of the UV radiation passing through earth's atmosphere.
  16. prediction
    a statement made about the future
    Tracking fault motion in real time is key to making accurate shaking predictions, avoiding the underestimation that occurred in Japan's 2011 quake.
  17. evidence
    means by which an alleged matter is established or disproved
    The government has dismissed the report as biased and lacking credible evidence, according to AFP news agency.
  18. meteorology
    the earth science dealing with phenomena of the atmosphere
    “The jet stream was stuck in place,” said Jeffrey Masters, director of meteorology for the Web site Weather Underground.
  19. tropical
    relating to part of the Earth's surface with hot climate
    The data will also enhance scientists’ understanding of tropical forests’ role in global climate regulation.
  20. equator
    an imaginary line around the Earth forming a great circle
    At the same time, continents in the southern hemisphere were drifting north toward the equator. Scientific American (Dec 11, 2012)
Created on Fri Oct 18 11:01:28 EDT 2013 (updated Tue Oct 22 15:24:00 EDT 2013)

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