| A | B |
|---|
| atmosphere | thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth |
| fossil fuels | energy resource formed from the remains of dead plants and animals, includes coal, oil, natural gas |
| stratified | layered |
| troposphere | lower layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface where weather occurs |
| stratosphere | atmospheric layer above the troposphere which contains ozone |
| ozone | compound of oxygen in the upper atmosphere which absorbs ultraviolet radiation |
| ultraviolet radiation | shortwave energy emitted by the Sun |
| photosynthesis | the process by which plants absorb sunlight to make food and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water |
| greenhouse gases | carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor which absorb and hold heat in the atmosphere |
| chloroflourocarbons (CFC's) | man-made compounds that break down ozone in the atmosphere |
| weather | condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place |
| climate | the average weather of a region over a long period of time |
| humidity | amount of water vapor in the air |
| precipitation | the falling of liquid or solid water from clouds |
| transpiration | process by which plants release water vapor into the air |
| water cycle | model used to show the movement of water between the air, land, and surface water |
| air pressure | the force or weight of air pushing down on Earth's surface |
| high pressure | cool, dry with clear weather |
| low pressure | warm, moist with stormy weather |
| barometer | instrument that measures air pressure |
| winds | horizontal movement of air |
| anemometer | instrument that measures wind speed |
| air mass | large body of air with the same temperature and moisture throughout |
| prevailing winds | the general wind pattern in a specific latitude zone |
| fronts | boundary between two air masses, results in change of weather |
| hazardous weather | severe storms which are dangerous to humans and their properties |
