Unit 2: “Earth and Space Science” Chapter 6 “Weather”

insolation the solar energy that reaches a planet

atmosphere All of the gases that surround the earth

troposphere The layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth’s surface

weather The condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place

Air pressure The force put on a given area by the weight of the air above it

humidity The amount of water vapor in the air

hygrometer A tool used to measure the relative humidity

Relative humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the total amount the air could hold at that temperature

barometer A tool that is used to measure air pressure

global wind wind that blows steadily over long distances in a predictable direction

sea breeze the movement of air from the water to the land

land breeze the movement of air from the land to the water

anemometer a tool that measures wind speed

isobar a line on a weather map that connects places that have the same air pressure

air mass a large region of the atmosphere in which the air has similar properties

front the boundary where two air masses meet

weather map a map that shows the weather in a specific area at a specific time