Download Quarter 1 Study Guide KEY

General Science Quarter 1 Exam Study Guide
CHAPTER 5: THE WATER PLANET p. 187- 210
1. What % of the Earth is salt water?
Fresh water?
97%
3%
2. What is the water cycle?
Water cycle is the process by which water molecules evaporate into the
atmosphere, hang out for a while, and then eventually condense on some
sort of surface either in the air as a cloud or on the surface of the Earth as
condensation, dew, and frost. The water cycle includes precipitation which
is any form of water that falls for the Earth as well as transpiration where
water evaporates out of the leaves of plants.
3. How is the water cycle powered?
The water cycle is powered by energy from the sun.
4. What is evaporation?
Evaporation is the process by which water molecules gain enough energy to
break away from each other and move from a liquid to a gaseous state of
matter.
5. What is condensation?
Condensation is the process by which water molecules lose energy and
change from a gas to a liquid.
6. What is precipitation?
Precipitation is ANY form of water that falls to the Earth’s surface and
includes rain, snow, sleet, hail, and freezing rain.
7. What are 2 main differences between surface currents and deep
currents?
Surface currents are warmer than deep currents, and surface currents are
less dense than deep currents. Deep currents are typically higher in salinity
than surface currents, as well.
8. What effect does the Gulf Stream have on climate?
The Gulf Stream will cause the coast of the United States (Florida through
North Carolina) to be milder in temperature because it is bringing warm
water up from the equator that will warm the air above it and then will affect
the climate along the coast.
9. How does El Niňo affect weather?
El Nino is when the Pacific Ocean is warmer than usual. It can lead to
milder winters for the United States as well as an increase in storms and
possible tornadoes.
CHAPTER 6: THE ATMOSPHERE p. 223-247
1. What is the atmosphere?
The atmosphere is the envelope of gases that surrounds the Earth’s
surface. These gases allow us to breathe and keep heat and moisture in
close to the Earth’s surface.
2. What % of our atmosphere is oxygen?
Nitrogen?
remaining gases (like argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases)?
The
Oxygen: ~23%
Nitrogen: ~76%
Argon: ~1%
Carbon Dioxide: < 1%
Trace gases- MUCH less than 1%
3. What happens to air pressure as you rise upwards in the atmosphere?
Temperature?
Density?
Air pressure decreases as you rise up into the atmosphere because
there is less air above you to push down on you.
Temperature decreases as you move up into the atmosphere. The
troposphere decreases by 6 degrees Celsius every kilometer you
travel.
Density decreases as you move up into the atmosphere. The air is
getting thinner which means that the density is going to decrease with
less matter in the same amount of space.
4. How are layers of the atmosphere classified?
Layers of the atmosphere are classified according to temperature.
5. In which layer of our atmosphere does weather occur?
Weather occurs in the troposphere.
Ozone layer?
Stratosphere
Protection from meteors?
Mesosphere
6. Name 2 things you could find in the thermosphere.
You could find satellites, the space station, any kind of spacecraft that we
are sending out- there is NO definite border for the thermosphere.
7. What is conduction?
Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred by direct contact.
8. What is convection?
Convection is the process by which heat is transferred through a fluid (gas
or liquid) by convection currents.
9. What is radiation?
Radiation is the direct transfer of electromagnetic waves.
10.
How much solar energy does the Earth absorb?
The Earth’s surface absorbs about 50% of the energy that reaches the
surface.
11.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is the process by which gas molecules in the
atmosphere absorb heat as it travels to the Earth’s surface and holds it in
the Earth’s atmosphere. It is important because without it we would freeze
at nighttime without the sun’s energy.
12.
Explain how global warming is caused.
Global warming is caused by an increase in the amount of greenhouse
gases present in the Earth’s atmosphere. Humans have greatly increased
the amount of greenhouse gases like water vapor, methane, and carbon
dioxide and it is starting to affect global temperature and climate.
CH.7 WEATHER P. 266-303
1. Water Cycle/Clouds:
a. What is evaporation?
Evaporation is the process by which liquid water becomes a gas.
b. What is condensation?
Condensation is the process by which a gas becomes a liquid.
c. What is precipitation?
Precipitation is the process by which ANY form of water falls from the
atmosphere to the surface of the Earth.
d. What 2 conditions are needed for cloud formation?
Clouds require dust particles and the cooling of air to form.
2. Name the temperature & moisture content of the following air masses:
a. Maritime tropical VERY humid/ Warm________
b. Maritime polar HUMID/ Cool or COLD______________
c. Continental tropical DRY/ Warm___________
d. Continental polar DRY/ Cool or COLD___________
3. What cloud is associated with fair weather?
Cumulus clouds and Cirrus clouds are frequently associated with fair
weather.
4. What clouds are thunderstorms and tornadoes associated with?
Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with tornadoes and thunderstorms.
5. What is a front?
A front is the boundary where two air masses meet. This can frequently cause
disturbances in the force- just kidding- in the atmosphere and may cause
precipitation and/or storms.
6. What is the difference between a cold front and a warm front?
A cold front is where a cold air mass is moving faster than a warm air mass
and “overtakes” it or pushes it through an area faster than it was moving. A
cold front arrives quickly because cold air is more dense than warm air and
pushes it out of the way faster. A warm front is where a warm air mass
“overtakes’ a cold air mass and pushes it through an area. Many days of
precipitation are associated with warm fronts.
7. What causes Lake Effect Snow?
Lake effect snow occurs when a cold, continental air mass passes over the
great lakes and picks up significant moisture from the lakes. When it reaches
the other side of the lakes then the air cools off because the land is cooler
than the water. When it cools off it can no longer hold as much humidity and
it dumps precipitation in the form of snow.
8. How is a snowstorm most dangerous?
The heavy winds that reduce visibility is the most dangerous part of a
snowstorm. It can block and delay emergency vehicles, and people may get
in accidents because they have a hard time seeing the road and their
surroundings.
9. How does a hurricane get its energy?
A hurricane gets its energy from the warm, tropical ocean water. The more
water that evaporates the larger the storm can get.
10. What is a tornado?
A tornado is a funnel-shaped cloud that comes down from a cumulonimbus
cloud and touches the Earth’s surface. It is measure on the enhanced Fujita
scale from an EF0-EF5. Tornadoes can be extraordinarily destructive forces.
11. Describe the weather patterns in Tornado Alley.
Tornado Alley is known for tornadoes because warm, humid air masses are
traveling up from the Gulf of Mexico and meet the dry, cool air mass
traveling down from Canada. When these two types of air masses meet
they do not mix very well. They can frequently cause extremely violent
thunderstorms and cause tornadoes.