Download 1/31/06 Lesson 6 Temperature, Pressure, and Cloud

Lesson 6 Temperature, Pressure, and Cloud Formation
Homework #1
Hurricane Formation and the Water Cycle, page 72
1. Why do hurricanes form over warm, tropical waters near the
equator?
The warm water provides an almost endless supply of energy
for these storms. Massive clouds form from the warm, evaporating
water. Winds move the storm clouds along the hurricane’s path.
When the hurricane moves over land or cool northern water, it
loses its energy and dies.
Lesson 6 Temperature, Pressure, and Cloud Formations
Homework #2
The Truth About Air on page 76
1. What is air pressure?
Air pressure is caused by the weight of air. The heavier the air,
the more pressure it exerts on the earth.
2. How does air at sea level compare to air at higher altitudes?
Why?
Air is more compressed, or denser, at sea level than at higher
altitudes. At the top of the atmosphere air less compressed and
lighter. This is because of the weight of air. Air near the earth’s
surface has more weight upon it which causes it to compress, while
the air high in the atmosphere has less weight upon it, and is
therefore less dense than the air below it.
3. How does air pressure cause the wind to blow?
Air flows from high pressure regions to low pressure regions,
therefore, differences in air pressure create wind.
Lesson 6 Temperature, Pressure, and Cloud Formations
Homework #3
Hurricane Mitch, pages 78-79
1. Describe the perfect hurricane conditions that led to the
formation of Hurricane Mitch.
The first condition that led to the formation of Mitch was very
warm ocean water. The warm water quickly evaporated, creating
huge amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere.
The second factor was a low pressure area of thunderstorms over
Honduras and Nicaragua that triggered the storm.