science

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving objects, such as water and air, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, due to Earth's rotation.

Jet Stream

A strong current of rapidly moving air in the atmosphere that moves from west to east, influencing weather patterns.

Low Pressure System

An area where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of the surrounding area, often associated with cloudy and rainy weather.

High Pressure System

A region where the atmospheric pressure is higher than surrounding areas, usually bringing clear skies and calm weather.

Cold Front

A boundary where a cold air mass pushes underneath a warmer air mass, often resulting in showers and thunderstorms.

Warm Front

A boundary where warmer air moves over a cooler air mass, typically resulting in gradual increases in temperature and cloud formation.

Occluded Front

A complex front that forms when a cold front catches up to and lifts a warm front, leading to unique weather patterns.

Convection Currents

Circulating air generated by the uneven heating of Earth's surface, resulting in rising warm air and sinking cooler air.

Hurricane

A tropical cyclone characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and organized storm systems, forming over warm ocean waters.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree Celsius, which affects how quickly a substance heats or cools.

Trade Winds

Prevailing easterly winds found in the tropics, blowing from east to west between latitudes 30°N and 30°S.

Westerlies

Winds that flow from west to east between latitudes 30°N and 60°N, and 30°S and 60°S, often affecting weather patterns in temperate regions.

Sea Breeze

A breeze that blows from the sea to the land, created when the land heats up faster than the water during the day.

Land Breeze

A breeze that flows from the land to the sea at night, caused by faster cooling of the land compared to the ocean.

Cyclone

A large-scale air mass that rotates around a center of low atmospheric pressure, characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, playing a crucial role in weather and climate.

Hydrosphere

The combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of a planet.

Latitude

The geographical coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface, influencing climate.

Elevation

The height above a given level, particularly sea level, which impacts climate conditions such as temperature and precipitation.