Investigating Temperature

Front

energy Noun

---

[en-er-jee]

Back

energy

---

The capacity to cause change, which can be transferred between objects and regions, such as from the sun to Earth.

---

Example: Energy from the sun travels to Earth, showing how sunlight can cause temperature changes.

Front

transfer Verb

---

[trans-fur]

Back

transfer

---

To move from one object, place, or state to another, such as when energy moves from a warmer object.

---

Example: Heat flows from a hot object to a cold one, showing energy transfer.

Front

thermal energy Noun

---

[thur-muhl en-er-jee]

Back

thermal energy

---

The total energy of the moving atoms and molecules within a substance, which relates to how hot or cold it is.

---

Example: Molecules in a hot area move faster and transfer thermal energy to a cooler area.

Front

heat Noun

---

[heet]

Back

heat

---

The transfer of thermal energy from a hotter region or object to a colder one due to a temperature difference.

---

Example: Heat flows from a hot block to a cold block, showing thermal energy transfer.

Front

temperature Noun

---

[tem-per-uh-cher]

Back

temperature

---

A measure of the average motion of atoms or molecules in a substance, indicating how hot or cold it is.

---

Example: Molecules move faster in a hot liquid and slower in a cold liquid, showing temperature differences.

Front

troposphere Noun

---

[troh-puh-sfeer]

Back

troposphere

---

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where weather occurs, being warmest at the surface and colder with increasing altitude.

---

Example: The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, shown here where planes fly and weather happens.

Front

air parcel Noun

---

[air par-suhl]

Back

air parcel

---

An imaginary body of air used to understand atmospheric processes; it rises when warmer than the surrounding air.

---

Example: Warm air rises, expands, and cools, demonstrating how an air parcel behaves in the atmosphere.

Front

water vapor Noun

---

[waw-ter vey-per]

Back

water vapor

---

The gaseous form of water that is invisible and mixes with other gases in the air.

---

Example: Water molecules shown as individual units represent water vapor in the air.

Front

evaporation Noun

---

[ih-vap-uh-rey-shuhn]

Back

evaporation

---

The process by which liquid water changes into a gas, called water vapor, by absorbing energy.

---

Example: The sun heats a puddle, causing water to evaporate into vapor.

Front

condensation Noun

---

[kon-den-sey-shuhn]

Back

condensation

---

The process by which water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.

---

Example: Warm moist air hits a cold surface, forming liquid droplets, demonstrating condensation.