Unit 9 Vocabulary: Weather and Climate

Ozone

• A gas made up of three oxygen molecules (O₃) that forms a layer in the stratosphere.

• A type of cloud that forms at high altitudes.

• A pollutant that causes respiratory problems in humans.

• A solid form of oxygen that exists at low temperatures.

El Niño

• A climate pattern that occurs when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual.

• A phenomenon that leads to colder ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean.

• A weather event characterized by consistent droughts in the Pacific region.

• A seasonal change that affects only the northern hemisphere.

Weather balloon

• A small balloon used for children's parties.

• A large balloon filled with gas that carries instruments high into the atmosphere to collect information about temperature, humidity, and air pressure.

• A type of balloon used for advertising purposes.

• A balloon that is used for recreational purposes only.

Energy

• The ability to do work or cause change.

• A measure of the temperature of an object.

• The force exerted by an object in motion.

• The total amount of matter in an object.

Biome

• A large area of land or water characterized by specific climate conditions, plants, and animals.

• A small region with a unique climate and wildlife.

• A type of ecosystem that includes only aquatic life.

• A geographical area defined by its human population density.

Air pressure

• The force exerted by the weight of air above a given point.

• The amount of moisture in the air.

• The temperature of the air at a given altitude.

• The speed of wind at sea level.

Thunderstorm

• A storm that produces thunder, lightning, and heavy rain.

• A type of weather phenomenon that only includes rain.

• A mild weather condition with no significant wind or precipitation.

• A storm characterized by snow and freezing temperatures.

Cirrus cloud

• Thin, wispy clouds that form high in the sky, usually indicating fair weather. They are made of ice crystals and often look like feathers or strands of hair.

• Thick, dark clouds that cover the sky and often bring rain or storms.

• Fluffy, white clouds that resemble cotton balls and indicate sunny weather.

• Low-lying clouds that often bring fog and precipitation.

Humidity

• The amount of water vapor present in the air.

• The temperature of the air.

• The speed of the wind.

• The pressure exerted by the atmosphere.

Global warming

• The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases, primarily from human activities like burning fossil fuels.

• A temporary increase in temperature due to seasonal changes.

• A phenomenon that only affects polar regions and has no global impact.

• An increase in temperature caused solely by natural events like volcanic eruptions.