Shell of gases that surround a planet.

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​atmosphere

​The transfer of heat energy through touch.

conduction

​The transfer of heat energy by hotter and therefore less dense material rising, and colder, denser material sinking.

convection

​The transmission of energy as electromagnetic waves, like from the sun.

radiation

​Area at Earth’s surface where air is sinking.

high pressure

​Area at Earth’s surface where air is rising.

low pressure

​The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

wind

The apparent deflection of a moving object from its initial course when its speed and direction are measured in reference to the surface of the rotating Earth. The object is deflected to the right of its anticipated course in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

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​Coriolis effect

​The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a specified amount of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.

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heat capacity

​a.k.a. meteorological equator; “thermal” equator that moves north in the northern summer and south in the northern winter because of direct sunlight.

​​Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

​Pattern of wind circulation that changes with the season creating wet summers and dry winters.

​​monsoon

​Area around the equator; warm, moist air rises creating low pressure at the surface with calm winds and rainy conditions.

​​doldrums

​30 degrees north and south of the equator; dry sinking air creates high pressure at the surface with calm winds and dry conditions; deserts.

​​horse latitudes