6th Grade The Water Cycle and Influences on Weather and Climate Study Guide

Thermal energy from evaporating water helps drive the weather systems. Which regions of Earth would have the most evaporation?

The regions on Earth that would have the most evaporation would be the regions nearest the equator.

A region of land near the ocean can reasonably be expected to experience what type of effects on its climate due to the influence of the nearby ocean?

A region of land near the ocean can reasonably be expected to have cooler summers and warmer winters due to the influence of the nearby ocean. Warmer nights and Cooler Days compared to more inland.

What do the phase changes (condensation, evaporation, crystallization) in the water cycle have in common?

All the phase changes in the water cycle are due to the change in thermal energy from the Sun. This causes a change in the state of matter and drives the water cycle.

How does a location's latitude on Earth affect its weather and climate?

Because the Sun's rays are more direct over the equator, areas near this location tend to have warmer climates and less differentiation between the daily high and low temperatures. Areas farther from the equator tend to have greater differences in daily temperatures, which affect the weather and climate of regions.

Why does most evaporation in the water cycle happen from Earth's oceans?

Most evaporation in the water cycle happens from the oceans because oceans expose the most water to the Sun's energy, driving the process of evaporation.

Explain how sunlight and gravity affect the water cycle on Earth.

Sunlight is the driving source of energy for the water cycle. Without it, the water cycle would not occur. Gravity provides a direction for water flow. This includes both the falling of water in the form of precipitation and the runoff of water toward larger bodies of water, such as the ocean.

altitude

The distance from sea level

radiant energy

The main source of energy for the water cycle.

Atmosphere Circulation

The movement of air by which thermal energy is distributed on the Earth's surface.

water cycle

The movement of water both on and above the earth's surface

climate

The prevailing weather patterns of a region

Traspiration

The process during which plants release moisture into the air. (plant sweat)

Crystallization

The process which crystals form

Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving what?

Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving the ocean, sunlight, atmosphere, land, ice, geography, and living things.

What is weather? How is it influenced by oceans?

Weather is the current state of the atmosphere, such as hot or cold and wet or dry. Because ocean water is constantly evaporating and falling as precipitation, oceans play a role in evenly heating Earth and moving heat through ocean currents

Condensation

When water vapor loses thermal energy and becomes a liquid

weather

the day to day state of the atmosphere

atmosphere

the mixture of gases that surrounds Earth