Science Vocab 1

Electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves

a form of energy that can move through the vacuum of space

Radiation

direct transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

Temperature

the average amount of energy of motion of each particle of a substance

Thermal energy

total energy of motion in the particles of a substance

Thermometer

a thin glass tube with a bulb on one end that contains liquid

Heat

the transfer of thermal energy from a hotter object to a cooler one

Conduction

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

Convection

the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid

Convection currents

formation of the upward movement of warm air and the downward movement of cool air

Troposphere

the lowest region of Earht’s atmosphere, where weather occurs

Atmosphere

mixture of gases that surround the Earth

Squall Line

A line of thunderstorms often forming along or ahead of a cold front

Air mass

A huge body of air that has similar temperatures, humidity, and air pressure at any given height

A Front

The boundary where two fronts that are different temperatures meet but do not mix

Storm

Violent disturbance in the atmosphere

Thunderstorm

A small storm often accompanied by heavy precipitation and frequent thunder and lightning

Tornado

A rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped cloud that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch Earth’s surface

Vortex

A mass of whirling fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind creates a vacuum in the center

Wind shear

a change in wind speed/direction usually at a right angle to other wind

Storm Surge

A “dome” of water that sweeps across the coast where the hurricane lands

Hurricane

A tropical cyclone characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds of 119 kilometers per hour (74 miles per hour) or higher, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rains and showers.

Crust

The outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of solid rock and soil, which supports life and is divided into continental and oceanic types.

Mantle

The layer of the Earth located beneath the crust, composed of semi-solid rock that flows slowly, and is responsible for tectonic activity.

Inner core

The innermost layer of the Earth, composed primarily of iron and nickel, and exists in a solid state due to immense pressure.

Outer core

The layer of the Earth located beneath the mantle, composed of liquid iron and nickel, and responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field.

Convection current

The movement of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density, which plays a crucial role in the transfer of heat within the Earth's mantle and drives tectonic plate movements.

Tectonic Plates

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with one another, causing geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building.

Faults

Fractures in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved relative to each other, often associated with earthquakes.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle, which is involved in tectonic processes.

Asthenosphere

The semi-fluid layer of the Earth's mantle located below the lithosphere, playing a crucial role in tectonic plate movement.