Temperature Concepts and Environmental Controls Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering temperature definitions, scales, surface heat factors, geographic settings, ocean currents, global temperature patterns, and biometeorological indices.

Heat

The total kinetic energy of the atoms of a substance or object.

Temperature

A measure of the kinetic energy of the atoms in a substance, where faster-moving atoms indicate greater kinetic energy and a higher overall temperature.

Absolute Zero

The temperature at which no molecular motion is present and no energy is emitted, equivalent to $0\,\text{K}$, $-273^\circ\text{C}$, or $-459^\circ\text{F}$.

Fahrenheit Scale

A temperature scale commonly used in the U.S. where the freezing point of liquid water is $32^\circ\text{F}$, the boiling point is $212^\circ\text{F}$, and the range between them is $180^\circ$.

Celsius Scale

A temperature scale commonly used in science where the freezing point of liquid water is $0^\circ\text{C}$, the boiling point is $100^\circ\text{C}$, and the range between them is $100^\circ$.

Kelvin Scale

A temperature scale commonly used in science that is based on absolute zero, where water freezes at $273\,\text{K}$ and boils at $373\,\text{K}$.

Isotherm

A line used on a map when relaying the temperatures of a broad geographic area.

Average Daily Maximum Temperature

The average calculated by adding the high temperature for a specific day over a 30-year period (currently 1990-2020) and dividing by 30.

Daily Mean Temperature

The average of the daily maximum temperature and daily minimum temperature for a given day.

Receipt of Solar Radiation

A T\^\circ control factor where lower latitudes closer to $0^\circ$ (the Equator) receive more solar radiation on an annual basis than higher latitudes near the Poles.

Differential Heating of Land and Water Surfaces

The concept that land and water surfaces heat up and cool down at different rates, reaching different temperatures when exposed to the same amount of solar radiation.

Specific Heat

The heat energy needed to raise $1\,\text{g}$ of a substance by $1^\circ\text{C}$.

Windward

The side or direction from which the wind is coming.

Leeward

The side or direction toward which the wind is going.

Gulf Stream

A warm ocean current that helps keep the British Isles warmer in the winter than they would be without it.

California Current

A cold ocean current that helps keep the U.S. west coast cooler in the summer than it would be without it.

Southern Hemisphere Surface Proportions

A global surface breakdown consisting of 81% water and 19% land, resulting in less temperature variation and a smaller annual temperature range.

Northern Hemisphere Surface Proportions

A global surface breakdown consisting of 61% water and 39% land, resulting in greater temperature variations over land surfaces.

Wind Chill Temperature Index

An index measuring the effect of wind moving body heat away from a person, forcing the body to work harder to generate replacement heat.

Hypothermia

A medical condition in humans defined as having a body core temperature below $35.0^\circ\text{C}$ ($95.0^\circ\text{F}$).

Heat Index

An index reflecting how high humidity reduces sweat evaporation (latent heat release), decreasing the body's ability to cool down.

Heating Degree-Days

An index indicating the amount of seasonal building heating required for a location based on weather and climate conditions.

Cooling Degree-Days

An index indicating the amount of seasonal air conditioning required for a location based on weather and climate conditions.