| A | B |
|---|
| troposphere | the lowest layer of the atmosphere, AND the layer in which life exists |
| stratosphere | atmospheric layer located between the troposphere and the mesophere |
| mesophere | atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere |
| thermosphere | atmospheric layer which extends from above the mesosphere into outer space |
| air pressure | the weight of air on a unit area |
| anemometer | instrument used to measure the force or speed of wind |
| aneroid barometer | instrument used to measure air pressure, by the contraction or expansion of a metal can |
| Coriolis effect | curve seen by earthbound observers in the path of objects or substances, SUCH AS AIR, moving over Earth's surface |
| doldrums | area of calm and light, shifting air near the equator |
| energy balance | the balance between energy Earth recieves from the sun and energy Earth gives off to space |
| greenhouse effect | effect of Earth's atmosphere trapping heat from the sun |
| horse latitudes | either of two regions 30 degrees north or 30 degrees south of the equator, characterized by high pressure, calm and light winds |
| jet stream | strong winds in the troposphere flowing in narrow bands from west to east |
| local wind | wind created by heating differences in land over small areas |
| mercury barometer | instrument used to measure air pressure from the rise or fall of mercury liquid in a tube |
| millibar | unit of pressure related to the weight of air pressing on 1 square centimeter |
| parcel of air | small volume of air with the same temperature throughout |
| polar easterlies | polar winds coming from the east |
| polar front | meeting place of cool air moving south and warm air moving north |
| prevailing westerlies | winds in the latitudes 40 to 60 degress, both north and south of the equator |
| temperature | measure of heat flow from a substance, as molecules or atoms move faster the temperature is higher |
| trade winds | steady winds between the equator and 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitude |
| wind | air in motion, caused by the unequal heating of earth |
| front | the boundary between two air masses |
| cold front | a steep sided mass of air that pushes warmer air up and produces thunderstorms |
| warm front | a gentle-sloped mass of air that slides over cooler air producing gentle all day rains |
| thermometer | a device used to measure temperature |
| wind vane | a device used to indicate the direction the wind is coming from |
