Big Idea 7 (Weather & Earth Systems)

water cycle

• The average pattern of weather that occurs in a certain location over many years.
• A form of solid precipitation that falls when the air temperature is below freezing (below 32°F or 0°C).
• The continuous movement of water through the environment by evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
• A mixture of solid and liquid precipitation that typically occurs during winter when precipitation freezes or melts as it passes through different temperatures.

Evaporation

• Located near the north and south poles, extremely cold temperatures, and very little precipitation.
• Solid precipitation that typically falls during summer storms. Forms high in the atmosphere where there are freezing temperatures.
• The average pattern of weather that occurs in a certain location over many years.
• The process by which water is changed from a liquid to a gas; a stage of the water cycle.

Condensation

• An environment located in the tropical zones, with warm temperatures, high humidity, and lots of rainfall.
• An area that includes all living organisms and the surrounding physical features such as air, water, soil, weather, and landforms.
• The 3 main areas on earth with the same climate: Polar, Temperate, and Tropical Zone.
• The process by which water is changed from a gas to a liquid; a stage of the water cycle.

Water Vapor

• Solid precipitation that typically falls during summer storms. Forms high in the atmosphere where there are freezing temperatures.
• The 3 main areas on earth with the same climate: Polar, Temperate, and Tropical Zone.
• Very dry environment, little to no precipitation, can have hot temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night, very little plant life.
• The gas state of water.

Runoff

• The ocean holds 97% of the total water on the planet; 78% of global precipitation occurs over the ocean, and it is the source of 86% of global evaporation.
• The portion of precipitation that runs into other bodies of water rather than being absorbed into ground water or evaporating.
• The amount of heat or thermal energy in the air, measured by a thermometer.
• The altitude, or height of a location above sea level.

Collection Area (Ocean)

• The ocean holds 97% of the total water on the planet; 78% of global precipitation occurs over the ocean, and it is the source of 86% of global evaporation.
• An environment covered in grasses with few trees, has a rainy season and a dry season, warm summers and colder winters.
• The average pattern of weather that occurs in a certain location over many years.
• A form of liquid precipitation that falls when the air temperature is above freezing (above 32°F or 0°C).

Precipitation

• An area that includes all living organisms and the surrounding physical features such as air, water, soil, weather, and landforms.
• A form of water (hail, rain, sleet, snow) that condenses in the atmosphere and falls to Earth's surface. Determined by conditions in the atmosphere.
• The altitude, or height of a location above sea level.
• The side of a mountain that receives little or no rain because the height of the mountain prevents moisture from reaching the other side.

Rain

• A form of liquid precipitation that falls when the air temperature is above freezing (above 32°F or 0°C).
• The amount of heat or thermal energy in the air, measured by a thermometer.
• Half of the Earth - northern, southern, eastern, and western hemispheres.
• Very dry environment, little to no precipitation, can have hot temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night, very little plant life.

Snow

• An environment located in the tropical zones, with warm temperatures, high humidity, and lots of rainfall.
• The current condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place. What is happening outside now.
• A form of solid precipitation that falls when the air temperature is below freezing (below 32°F or 0°C).
• The 3 main areas on earth with the same climate: Polar, Temperate, and Tropical Zone.

Hail

• The continuous movement of water through the environment by evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
• A low-lying environment, covered by water, with humid conditions, and plant growth.
• Solid precipitation that typically falls during summer storms. Forms high in the atmosphere where there are freezing temperatures.
• The portion of precipitation that runs into other bodies of water rather than being absorbed into ground water or evaporating.