Temperature
The hotness or coldness of a substance is called its temperature. Temperature is measured with a thermometer, in degrees Celsius (°C), or sometimes degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The average temperature of the Earth is about 15°C, which lies between the freezing point (0°C) and boiling point (100°C) of water. Consequently, the temperature at the Earth's surface is just right for life to thrive.
The temperature of the air changes as we rise through the atmosphere. The atmosphere is divided into layers, defined by changes in temperature. Most of the world's weather occurs in the lowest layer, the troposphere. Air temperature falls as we rise through the troposphere. This makes the air unstable, because warm air near the surface is lighter than cold air above, and rises. This generates many features of the weather that we experience, like clouds and rain. Weather is basically caused by differences in temperature, with heat flowing from warmer areas to colder areas. Heat also moves from the warm equator to the cold North and South Poles. This temperature difference also drives a lot of the world's weather.
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