3rd Grade Glossary

atmosphere: all of the gases around Earth; where weather happens

balanced force: an even amount of force is applied on either side of an object

climate: a description of the average weather of a place for a long amount of time

cloud: a collection of dust and water vapor in the sky

distance: a measurement of how far away an object is

electric force: when positive & negative charges interact with each other

force: a push or a pull

friction: force from two surfaces rubbing against each other

front: when different air masses meet; can be either a warm front or a cold front

gravitational force: when two objects physically attract each other by "pulling" on each other

magnetic force: when objects are attracted or repelled by a magnet

meteorologist: scientists who study weather and create weather predictions

motion: movement of an object, caused by a force

net force: the total force applied on an object

non-contact force: when objects apply a force on each other without actually touching

precipitation: rain, sleet, snow, or hail

speed: how fast or slow an object is going

temperature: a measure of the heat absorbed by the Earth; how hot or cold it is

thermometer: an instrument used to measure temperature

time: how long it takes to do something

unbalanced force: an uneven amount of force is applied on either side of an object

water cycle: movement of water around Earth; evaporation, condensation, precipitation, accumulation

weather: a description of the current conditions of the atmosphere in a place for a short amount of time