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Unit 4: Weather
Study Guide
Lesson 1
1. Where in the atmosphere does most of Earth’s weather
occur?
Most of Earth’s weather occurs in the troposphere.
2. Why is the air pressure greatest at Earth’s surface?
The air pressure is the greatest at Earth’s surface because the
air particles are closely packed together meaning the air is
more dense.
3. Describe how air moves in convection currents?
Warm air moves upward and cold air moves downward
forming a circular pattern.
4. What causes air movement in convection currents?
Air movement in convection currents is caused by the sun’s
uneven heating of the Earth.
5. What causes a land breeze occur? What causes a sea
breeze to occur?
A land breeze occurs when the land cools faster than the sea
causing the cool air to go out to sea.
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A sea breeze occurs because the land heats up faster than the
sea causing the cool air from the sea to go towards the land.
Lesson 2
6. How does the oceans help keep Earth’s weather mild?
In the summer, the ocean absorbs the sun’s heat energy
keeping the air around the ocean cooler. In the winter, the
ocean releases the sun’s heat energy warming the air around
the ocean. This causes the weather on Earth to be mild.
7. Name the surface current that flows near California.
What direction does this surface current flow?
The surface current that flows near California is called the
California Current. This current flows from North to South.
8. How does sleet and hail form?
Sleet or hail form when raindrops freeze as they fall to land.
9. How does fog form?
Fog forms when water vapor condenses into water droplets at
ground level.
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Lesson 3
10.
Draw a picture of barometer. What is this
instrument used for?
A barometer is used to measure air pressure.
11.
If a barometer reading increases, what can you
conclude about the upcoming weather?
If a barometer reading increases, you can conclude the weather
would be fair.
12.
What does an anemometer measure?
An anemometer measures wind speed.
13.
Describe the four air masses that form over the
United States?
One air mass is the maritime tropical that carries warm and
humid weather. Another air mass is the continental polar that
carries cool and dry weather. A third air mass is maritime
polar that carries cold and humid weather. Lastly, a
continental tropical brings hot and dry weather.
14.
What occurs during a warm front? What occurs
during a cold front? (Needs to be reworded)
A warm front occurs when a warm air mass moves under a
cold air mass, forming stratus clouds. This can bring rain or
snow that can last for hours. A cold front occurs when a cold
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air mass moves under a warm air mass and pushes the warm
air up rapidly. This causes the warm air to cool quickly. This
fast cooling brings heavy rain, thunderstorms, or snow that do
not last very long.
15.
Describe the weather after a warm front passes
through? Describe the weather after a cold front passes
through?
After a warm front passes through the weather will be hot and
humid. After a cold front passes through the weather will be
cool and dry.
16.
How would you describe the air in an area of low
pressure? How would you describe the air in an area of
high pressure?
In an area of low pressure, the air is humid and there is a
higher chance of rain. In an area of high pressure, the air is
cooler and drier with a lower chance of rain.
Lesson 4
17.
What is the definition of a monsoon?
A monsoon is a wind system that reverses its direction
seasonally.
18.
What types of winds do Pacific storms produce?
Pacific storms can produce cyclones.
19.
How does the air mass move in a cyclone?
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An air mass in a cyclone moves in a circular pattern.
20.
A hurricane can reach wind speeds of at least 119
km/hr (74 mi/hr).
21.
Where does a hurricane begin?
A hurricane begins over a warm ocean.
22.
Describe what happens to the ocean’s surface during
a hurricane.
An ocean’s surface can rise as high as 10 meters (33 feet). This
rise is called a storm surge. A storm surge can be as wide as
80-161 km (50-100 miles) and can cause massive damage to
the coastline.