MS-ESS2-5: Air Masses and Weather Changes

Front

Differential Heating Noun

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[dif-er-en-shul hee-ting]

Back

Differential Heating

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The process where different materials, like land and water, heat up and cool down at different rates.

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Example: The image shows how small and large masses heat differently, illustrating differential heating.

Front

Convection Cell Noun

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[kon-vek-shun sel]

Back

Convection Cell

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A circular pattern of movement in a fluid where warmer, less dense material rises and cooler, denser material sinks.

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Example: Warm molecules rise and cool molecules sink, creating a circular movement in the fluid.

Front

Low-Pressure Area Noun

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[loh-presh-er air-ee-uh]

Back

Low-Pressure Area

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An atmospheric region where rising warm air creates lower air pressure than the surrounding area.

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Example: Rising warm air creates a low-pressure area, shown by the upward arrow and fewer particles.

Front

High-Pressure Area Noun

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[hai-presh-er air-ee-uh]

Back

High-Pressure Area

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An atmospheric region where sinking cool air creates higher air pressure than the surrounding area.

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Example: Arrows show cool air sinking, creating a high-pressure area.

Front

Hadley Cell Noun

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[had-lee sel]

Back

Hadley Cell

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A large-scale atmospheric convection cell where air rises at the equator and sinks at about 30 degrees latitude.

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Example: Arrows show air rising at the equator and sinking at 30 degrees latitude, illustrating a Hadley Cell.

Front

Coriolis Effect Noun

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[kor-ee-oh-lis uh-fekt]

Back

Coriolis Effect

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The apparent curving of a moving object's path, such as wind, from a straight line due to Earth's rotation.

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Example: The image shows how Earth's rotation causes winds to curve, demonstrating the Coriolis Effect.

Front

Prevailing Winds Noun

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[pri-vey-ling windz]

Back

Prevailing Winds

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Predictable global winds that blow consistently in a specific direction over a particular latitude.

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Example: Arrows show prevailing winds blowing consistently over different latitudes on Earth.

Front

Trade Winds Noun

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[treyd windz]

Back

Trade Winds

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Dependable prevailing winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, between 5 and 25 degrees latitude.

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Example: Arrows show trade winds blowing from east to west in the tropics.

Front

Doldrums Noun

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[dol-drumz]

Back

Doldrums

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A calm area near the equator with very light or no wind, which is caused by rising warm air.

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Example: The image shows the doldrums near the equator where trade winds converge, creating a calm area with little wind.

Front

Horse Latitudes Noun

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[hors lat-i-toodz]

Back

Horse Latitudes

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A calm area at about 30 degrees north and south latitudes with very light wind, caused by descending air.

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Example: The image shows calm areas at 30° latitudes with descending air, explaining horse latitudes.