Air Masses and Fronts ESS 5.1.2

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

An air mass is a large body of air that has uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What are the two main types of air masses?

Back

Continental (dry) and maritime (moist).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is a continental tropical air mass?

Back

A continental tropical air mass is a warm, dry air mass that forms over land in warm regions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is a maritime polar air mass?

Back

A maritime polar air mass is a cool, moist air mass that forms over oceans in polar regions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is a warm front?

Back

A warm front is formed when a warm air mass moves over a cold air mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front is formed when a cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What happens when a cold front approaches?

Back

Warm air rises, cools, and causes rain and thunderstorms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is a stationary front?

Back

A stationary front occurs when a warm air mass and a cold air mass meet but do not have enough energy to move each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is humidity?

Back

Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4