Understanding Temperature and Heat Transfer

A set of vocabulary flashcards designed to help students review key concepts related to temperature, heat transfer, and climate change.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion of particles.

Sensible Heat

The heat transferred from one object to another that we experience as a temperature change.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Convection

The transfer of heat due to the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

Advection

The horizontal movement of air or water, transferring heat.

Latent Heat

The heat absorbed or released when a substance changes state, without a change in temperature.

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation; the amount of solar energy received by a specific area.

Albedo

The measure of reflectivity of a surface; high albedo means more reflection and less absorption of heat.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere where all weather occurs.

Surface Air Temperature

Temperature measured at least 1.2-2.0 m above the ground in an instrument shelter.

Record Surface Air Temperature

56.7 degrees Celsius recorded in Death Valley, California.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in Earth's weather patterns, including global warming.

Land Surface Temperature

The temperature at Earth's surface as if felt to the touch in a specific location.

High Albedo

Reflects more insolation, leading to cooler temperatures.

Low Albedo

Absorbs more insolation, leading to warmer temperatures.

Altitude

The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.

Cloud Cover

The fraction of the sky covered by clouds, which affects insolation.

Continentality

The effect of location relative to oceans on temperature variation.

Evaporation

The process of turning from liquid into vapor, consuming heat energy.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance.

Ocean Currents

Continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by factors like wind and water density differences.

Wind Chill

The cooling sensation felt on exposed skin due to wind combined with cold air temperature.

Hypothermia

A dangerous drop in body temperature due to excessive heat loss.

Heat Index

A measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

Heat Stress

The condition that occurs when the body cannot cool itself adequately.

Hyperthermia

A condition caused by the body absorbing more heat than it can dissipate.

Insulation

The material that prevents heat from escaping or entering a space.

Insolation Variation

The change in solar radiation received at a location depending on time of year and latitude.

Thermal Equator

The area of the Earth that receives maximal insolation, shifting with seasons.

Isotherms

Lines on a map connecting points of equal temperature.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Urban areas that are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Temperature Inversion

A rise in temperature with height in the atmosphere, opposite to the usual decrease.

Global Warming

The long-term increase in average global temperature, primarily due to human activities.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Climatology

The study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period.

Atmospheric Pressure

The weight of air above a given point, exerting force on the earth's surface.

Radiative Cooling

The process through which the Earth's surface loses heat to the atmosphere.

Thermal Dynamics

The study of heat and its relation to various energy forms.

Climate Model

A quantitative model that uses known physics and observed data to simulate climate systems.

Drought

An extended period of deficient precipitation relative to the statistical multi-year average for a region.

Heatwave

A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity.

Biome

A large geographical biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Vegetation Cover

The layer of plant life that covers the ground and affects heat absorption and heat dissipation.

Carbon Dioxide

A greenhouse gas that is emitted through human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

Methane

A potent greenhouse gas that is released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas.

Paleoclimatology

The study of past climates using data from tree rings, ice cores, sediment, and other sources.

Anthropogenic

Resulting from the influence of human activity.

Adaptation

Adjusting to new conditions, especially in the context of climate change.

Mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of living organisms, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Arctic Amplification

The process in which the Arctic warms faster than the lower latitudes.

Sea Level Rise

The increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to climate change.

Glacial Retreat

The process of glaciers shrinking in size due to melting.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH levels of the ocean due to increased atmospheric CO2.

Weather Patterns

The typical atmospheric or climatic conditions in a region over a specific time.

Solar Radiation

Energy emitted from the sun in the form of light and heat.

Barometric Pressure

The pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere, measured using barometers.

Forecasting

The process of predicting future weather conditions based on data.

Humidity

The amount of water vapor present in the air.

Greenhouse Effect

The trapping of heat in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases.

Meteorology

The scientific study of the atmosphere and its phenomena.

Natural Variability

The natural fluctuations in climate and weather patterns that can occur over time.

Feedback Mechanisms

Processes that can either amplify or diminish climate change.

Precipitation

Any form of water, liquid or solid, falling from clouds (rain, snow, sleet, hail).

El Niño

A climate pattern resulting in warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

La Niña

A climate pattern characterized by cooler sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits humans derive from ecosystems, such as pollination and clean water.

Climate Resilience

The capacity of a system to absorb disturbances while retaining basic function.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual or organization.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.

Sustainability

The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations.

Natural Disasters

Severe and extreme weather events, significantly impacting environments and human life.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Urbanization

The process by which rural areas become urbanized as a result of population migration.

Geothermal Energy

Energy derived from the heat stored in the Earth.

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity produced from the energy of flowing water.

Wind Energy

Energy generated from the kinetic energy of moving air.