Weather and Climate

1. What is weather?

The short-term state of the atmosphere at a time and place

2. What is climate?

The long-term pattern of weather in a region

3. Which atmospheric layer contains most weather?

The troposphere

troposphere

4. What instrument measures air temperature?

A thermometer

thermometer

5. What instrument measures air pressure?

A barometer

barometer

6. What instrument measures wind speed?

An anemometer

anemometer

7. What does relative humidity compare?

Water vapor present with the maximum possible at that temperature

8. What is the dew point?

The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor

9. What generally happens to rising air?

It expands and cools

10. What is a cold front?

The leading edge of an advancing cold air mass

11. What is a warm front?

The leading edge of an advancing warm air mass

12. Why does wind form?

Air moves in response to pressure differences

13. What powers Earth's water cycle?

Energy from the Sun and gravity

14. What is the greenhouse effect?

Atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit heat, warming the surface and lower atmosphere

15. What is the difference between climate mitigation and adaptation?

Mitigation limits climate change; adaptation adjusts to its effects