Unit 4 Vocab

Front

What is density?

Which type of air is more dense?

Back

The amount of mass in a given volume; warm air is less dense, cold air is more dense.

Front

Air Pressure

Back

The force of air molecules pushing down on Earth’s surface, measured in millibars (mb).

Front

Altitude

What is the relationship between altitude and air pressure?

Back

The height above sea level; as altitude increases, air pressure decreases.

Front

High Pressure System

Back

Cool, sinking air that leads to clear, dry weather.

air blows away from this area

Front

Low Pressure System

Back

Warm, rising air that cools and condenses, forming clouds and precipitation.

Air blows towards this area

Front

Air Mass

Back

A large body of air with consistent temperature and humidity.

Front

Weather Front

Back

A boundary between two air masses where weather changes occur.

Front

Cold Front

Back

A front where cold air pushes under warm air, often causing thunderstorms and cooler temperatures.

Cold air pushes or advances into warm air

Front

Warm Front

Back

A front where warm air slides over cold air, often causing light rain and warmer temperatures.

warm air pushes or advances into cold air

Front

Condensation

Back

The process by which water vapor becomes liquid water.

this process forms clouds in low pressure areas where warm air is rising