Name______

Science – Weather Unit Study Guide

Describe the four layers of the atmosphere:

1.  Troposphere – closest to earth, where most weather occurs, airplanes fly in it

2.  Stratosphere – second layer where most of earth’s ozone is found, most airplanes fly in it

3.  Mesosphere – third and coldest layer

4.  Thermosphere – Outer and hottest layer

Describe four types of clouds:

1.  Cirrus – thin, wispy, high, clear weather

2.  Stratus – gray, solid, low, steady rain

3.  Cumulus – white, puffy, clear weather

4.  Cumulonimbus – dark, towering, thunderstorms

Know the following vocabulary:

1.  Greenhouse effect – the sun’s heat is trapped in the atmosphere to warm the earth

2.  Air pressure – Air particles pressing down on earth

3.  Atmosphere – Air that surrounds the planet, like a “blanket”

4.  Humidity – Amount of water vapor in the air

5.  Air mass – Body of air that has the moisture content and temperature like the land or water it forms over

6.  Front – A border formed where a cold air mass meets a warm air mass

Know what the weather instruments measure:

1.  Barometer – Air pressure

2.  Thermometer – Temperature

3.  Hygrometer – Humidity

Know the two properties used to describe air masses:

1.  Moisture

2.  Temperature

Science – Weather Vocabulary
Look up each word in the Science book and write the definition next to it. Use this as a study guide. Be sure to do the words on the back too.

1. barometer

2. thermometer

3. hygrometer

4. cirrus

5. cumulus

6. cumulonimbus

7. stratus

8. air pressure

9. atmosphere

10. front

11. air mass

12. humidity

13. greenhouse effect