Climate Terms

Define deforestation.

• long-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region

• the large-scale cutting and/or burning of forests

• the small-scale cutting and/or burning of forests

• short-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region

Define drought.

• short-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region

• long-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region

• a period with above-average precipitation

• a period with below-average precipitation

Define climate.

• a set of complex equations used to predict future climates

• a set of simple equations used to predict future climates

• long-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region

• short-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region

Define specific heat.

• the thermal energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance one degree Celsius

• the potential energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance one degree Celsius

• the rise of Earth's average surface temperature during the past 100 years

• the lowering of Earth's average surface temperature during the past 100 years

Define greenhouse gases.

• gases in the atmosphere that absorb Earth's outgoing infrared radiation

• gases in the atmosphere that absorb Earth's incoming ultraviolet radiation

• a wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the trade winds

• a wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the seasons

Define rain shadow.

• a localized climate that is different from the climate of the smaller area surrounding it

• a localized climate that is different from the climate of the larger area surrounding it

• an area of high rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain

• an area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain

Define monsoon.

• a wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the trade winds

• a wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the seasons

• the warm period that occurs between ice ages

• the cold period that occurs between ice ages

Define interglacial.

• a cold period lasting many years

• a warm period lasting many years

• the warm period that occurs between ice ages

• the cold period that occurs between ice ages

Define global climate model (GCM).

• the combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in strengthened trade winds across the Pacific

• the combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in weakened trade winds across the Pacific

• a set of complex equations used to predict future climates

• a set of simple equations used to predict future climates

Define global warming.

• the cold period that occurs between ice ages

• the warm period that occurs between ice ages

• the rise of Earth's average surface temperature during the past 100 years

• the lowering of Earth's average surface temperature during the past 100 years