UNIT 5 WEATHER
5) How can weather conditions change the landscape?
A large mountain may be eroded (worn down) over time because of weather. Oceans can expand, shrink, and grow deeper or shallower, depending on the weather that affects them. Deep valleys are often carved out by weather.
The _________ effect helps to move the storm into its strange shape as it travels over the warm waters.
Coriolis
13) What are the benefits of erosion?
Erosion can help to spread nutrients to soil Erosion can carry mountain soil for growing crops to the valley. Erosion can create beautiful landmarks.
5) ____________ invented the barometer, a device that shows changes in atmospheric pressure.
Evangelista Toricelli
10) In which ways does an earthquake impact an ecosystem?
It damages shorelines and soil in a region. Organisms that live in that area must relocate, as their habitats become destroyed. Because of the rubble left from destroyed buildings and structures, environmental pollution is a major concern following an earthquake.
11) ____________ is the largest side effect of hurricanes.
Flooding
11) When does erosion happen quickly?
Flooding carries and removes sediments fast. Violent weather can cause quick erosion. Strong hurricanes or tornadoes can pick up rocks and break them immediately
1) In 1607, Italian genius ___________ built a thermoscope, a device that showed changes in temperature; however, his invention did not have a measuring scale.
Galileo
Which of the following ecoregions experience much erosion due to ocean waves and hurricanes?
Gulf Prairies and Plains
4) Place in the correct order to describe how a hurricane forms. Use numbers 1-6.
Heated air over water rises quickly and forms large columns of rainclouds, which begin to blow around. Air pressure beneath the clouds sends up yet more water to be turned into water vapor. As the clouds build, wind carries them and begins to send them in a spiral. The Coriolis effect helps to move the storm into its strange shape as it travels over warm waters. A hurricane continues to build in size and strength the longer it lives in the warm water areas. Once a hurricane moves over cooler water on land, it will start to lose its strength.
Which of the following ecoregions experience the least erosion because its soil is held in place by abundant vegetation?
Piney Woods
2) Why is wind constantly on the move?
The earth is full of high pressure and low pressure areas, causing wind to be constantly on the move.
6) Why doesn't the presence of clouds in the sky always mean that it will rain?
Sometimes the clouds heat up again, and the liquid water turns back into vapor. Often, the water droplets in the clouds are not as heavy as the surrounding air.
18) What is the purpose of NMC, National Meteorological Center, in Washington DC?
Special computers at the NMC take the data and mathematically calculate what will happen in the next 12 to 24 hour period. The NMC takes all of the weather data and creates weather maps for use across the United States
20) What precautions should be taken during a hurricane?
Stay away from power lines. Leave the area if an evacuation is ordered. Board up windows. Stay in a secure room away from windows during the storm. Stay away from low-lying areas where flooding might take place
The highest layer of the atmosphere is the______ , and it begins about ____ miles above earth and extends____ miles into the sky. It is the warmest layer of the atmosphere.
The highest layer of the atmosphere is the thermosphere, and it begins about 56 miles above earth and extends 310 miles into the sky. It is the warmest layer of the atmosphere.
12) What are the benefits of snowfall?
The chilly air and frozen ground are able to kill off pests and harmful germs during the winter. Snow can also act as an insulator by keeping the earth's heat from escaping the ground and protecting crops from experiencing subfreezing temperatures. Farmers in certain areas depend on a good amount of snow during the winter so that it will melt during the spring and provide sufficient water for crops to grow.
2) Meteorology requires taking classes in_________ , science, and __________ .
Majoring in meteorology requires taking classes in math, science, and technology.
17) How does the sun allow weather to occur in earth?
The sun also creates wind. The sun's heat moves water in a cycle on earth. The sun does not shine in equal amounts over the entire planet, but strikes the earth at different angles, so the amount of sunlight is not the same everywhere.
11) Why does hail usually occur during warm weather?
The sun heats the ground and air during warmer weather, the hot air rises to form cumulonimbus clouds.
10) In what ways does wind cause erosion?
The wind can also pick up loose bits of sand, rock, or dirt and uses them to chisel away the rest of the rock. Wind applies force to the rocks, further chipping off tiny pieces of dirt and rock.
4) Which ones are climate zones with the correct description of its conditions?
Tropical climate zones are close to the equator and remain warm, with temperatures ranging from 70-85 °F year-round. A desert climate, on the other hand, is characterized by hot, dry temperatures. Areas with desert climates do not get much rain.
9) In what ways does water act as an eroding agent?
Water drops strike acting as tiny hammers. Acid rain can dissolve rock formations over time. Water flows over rocks, and force of friction wears away the rock.
13) How does ocean water help moderate the temperature on land?
Water that has absorbed heat can transfer that heat to the surrounding air, which warms the land. Water currents can carry either cool or warm water. Warm water currents will heat the air surrounding the water, while cool water currents will cool the surrounding air.
15) What are some benefits of wind?
Wind helps to clear away debris, dead creatures, and foul smells. Clouds move from place to place, spreading out the rain and cooling off large areas of earth. Wind carries seeds and plants across the land, causing new life to grow soon after destruction has taken place. Humans have learned how to harness wind power in order to generate electricity in some places. Wind helps keep the earth the correct temperature in both the hot and cold seasons.
24) What is a radiosonde?
a small instrument attached to each rubbery, helium-filled balloon that takes measurements of temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction
2) What causes a slow flood?
a too-large supply of water in the rivers or lakes water build up in a waterbed over time until it overflows the banks
22) Geostationary is:
a type of satellite traveling in an orbit around the earth; follows the same rotational period as the earth so that it remains in the same position over the earth
17) A weather station includes:
a wind vane an anemometer a barometer a thermometer
20) Where have geostationary satellites been placed?
above the equator
8) What other destructive events are often triggered by earthquakes?
aftershocks tsunamis landslides
Easterly winds
blow at the top and bottom of the earth, sometimes clash with the westerly ones
3) How can you stop a wildfire?
by removing oxygen by removing the heat source by removing the fuel
5) How are winds named?
by the direction from which they come
9) What is a tsunami?
can be 30 or more feet high an extremely large wave that develops as energy from an earthquake is transferred to the water in an ocean or large lake typically starts very small, but as it travels toward land, it increases in size and energy
weather balloon
carries an instrument that measures the atmospheric conditions several miles up
local winds
change direction all the time
The second highest clouds are called ___________ clouds, which normally form below 6,000 feet, but can reach much higher into the sky. These clouds usually appear as puffy white or gray heaps with flattened bottoms.
cumulus
2) What processes are involved in erosion?
deposition which is when eroded material is carried to another location weathering which is breaking down rock
12) What are the results of deposition?
dunes mountains hills
15) Drought conditions can negatively impact the_______ , as crops die and farmers cannot make a living. When fewer crops are available, they tend to be more________ , and consumers will likely purchase cheaper, less healthy foods instead.
economy expensive
15) One of the state's largest industries is________ , which depends on good topsoil. However, about _______ percent of Texas cropland is described as easily______ , meaning that the soil is very likely to erode. Every farmer must work diligently to keep topsoil from blowing or washing away.
farming 40 erodible
6) During a flooding event, roadways are often blocked by ________.
flood waters
3) Meteorologists use their math skills, predicting skills, and the data from many weather instruments in order to accurately __________, or predict, weather conditions.
forecast
10) Where does hail come from?
from cumulonimbus clouds
15) The dust and water blown into the air during a storm cause a tornado to have a visible ____________.
funnel
16) A tornado funnel can even have other ________ of air spinning inside of it, causing the tornado's power to increase.
funnels
5) A cloud is classified according to:
height shape
21) What could indicate that a tornado is happening?
high winds, hail and debris falling dark storm clouds
A __________ is a large, very powerful windstorm that develops over an ocean and moves in a spiral.
hurricane.
10) The atmosphere protects and ________ the earth from the harsh conditions of space.
insulates
14) Because a drought occurs over a long period of time, its effects are ___________ as well.
long-term
14) During a tornado, the strong winds spin around a column of ____________ air and move in crazy patterns along the ground, touching down for a few minutes and then lifting back into the sky.
low pressure
17) How does a drought impact the ecosystem?
over-plowing of fields, soil turned into dust and blew away failure to rotate crops poor farming techniques
19) What can cause change in the weather?
people's activities on earth the shape of the earth's revolution the earth's landscape
18) How is a tornado's path of destruction?
selective and scattered
8) What is precipitation?
snow hail any form of water falling from the sky sleet rain
13) Often, a region that normally receives abundant ____________ during the winter experiences a drought during late spring and summer because it does not have the normal water supply from melting ice and snow.
snowfall
19) What is the most important ecological effect of a tornado?
soil destruction
6) How do hurricanes travel?
sometimes can shift quickly from their original path often follow the same general path
12) When a hurricane first hits the land, it causes the sea levels to rise dramatically, creating a "___________."
storm surge
The lowest type of cloud, found below 6,000 feet, is called a _________ cloud. These are usually layered, dark-looking clouds that often indicate that rain is coming.
stratus
18) The erosion problems vary in different areas because of the land _________ .
structures
3) What is deposition?
the process in which eroded material is carried to another location
What is weathering?
the process in which rocks break down or change shape through interaction with the atmosphere
1) What is erosion?
the process of wearing down and carrying away particles of the surface of the earth
weather satellite
takes photos of cloud systems over the earth
3) What are the elements of weather?
temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind
1) What is relative humidity?
the amount of water vapor in a place compared to the maximum amount the air can hold
humidity
the amount of water vapor in the air
doldrums
the area where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet at the equator
weather
the atmospheric conditions of a region at a particular point in time; include elements such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind
3) What feature of the earth contributes to wind patterns?
the earth's spin the equator
6) In order for rocks to undergo weathering, they must be exposed to ________.
the environment
atmosphere
the layer of gases that surrounds the earth
1) What causes wind?
the movement of air Air heats up, it rises, and cooler air flows down to take its place. the exchange of hot and cold air
climate
the normal weather conditions of a region
4) What is the Coriolis effect?
the spin of the earth and its ability to curve the wind direction
What causes wind?
the sun's heat The sun also creates wind. Its heat warms the air, moving it upwards. Cooler air rushes down to take the place of the heated air. The movement of both types of air is called wind. Without the heat from the sun, all of the air would be still. Wind helps life to exist on the earth
3) What causes a flash flood?
the surge from a tsunami on land the breaking of a dam the fast dumping of water from a hurricane
5) To forecast means:
to predict conditions
13) The most violent windstorm, a(n) ________ on earth usually lasts for only minutes at a time with winds that can blow at speeds of up to_______ miles per hour, all within the space of about 500 fee
tornado 750
10) Hurricanes also spin off __________, which leave their own destructive mark on the land.
tornadoes
4) What can floods cause more damage than?
tornadoes lightning storms hurricanes
weather radar
tracks airborne water
9) What benefit(s) does small flooding have?
wash water up on land that is too dry carry nutrients back to the soil improve the nutrients in lakes
11) Which of the following describes a major, unseen damage caused by floods?
water contamination
7) How does a tsunami develop?
when an earthquake occurs near a body of water
1) What causes flooding to occur?
when too much water gathers and cannot be absorbed quickly enough by the land and waterbeds around a region when a river overflows when a dam breaks or a lake overflows
Westerly winds
winds that blow from west to east from either side of the equator
Trade winds
winds that blow towards the center of the earth
A tornado is a large, very powerful windstorm that develops over an ocean and moves in a spiral.
False, hurricane
15) What gases are most prominent in air?
nitrogen oxygen carbon dioxide argon
4) Meteorologists are right about ________ percent of the time.
85
13) How do sea breezes occur?
occur because land heats up more quickly than the water next to it, causing the air over the land to rise
2) In 350 BC, __________ wrote Meteorologica, which describes his theories about weather study and the water cycle.
Aristotle
11) Describe at least four positive effects of wildfires. Make sure to elaborate and explain what makes them a positive effect.
1. Fires kill off diseased plants and harmful wildlife, allowing healthy plants to grow instead. 2. Some plants need fires to spread their seeds to other places. 3. Fire can burn dead or decaying matter and cause it to return nutrients to the soil very quickly. 4.Fires can clear out extra vegetation and vines from the treetops in forests, allowing the sun to shine down on tiny seedlings on the forest floor.
Identify and describe four types of violent winds
1. Tornado - Runs its course on land. Usually more forceful than a hurricane. winds get whipped into a furious funnel with mini funnels spinning inside of the outer tornado that cause widespread destruction. 2. Hurricanes, - Begin as tropical storms in the ocean. May not be as violent as a tornado, but are larger and can carry wind speeds of over 100 mph. Sometimes move slowly and remain in one place for a very long time. Can also cause tornadoes to form. 3.Sandstorms - also know as dust storms. Begin in dry desert areas. Strong winds pick up large amounts of sand and carry them swiftly through the skies until more winds force them downward. Sand and dust can cause tremendous damage. 4.Monsoons - Wild sea winds that take place near China, India, Asia, and Australia. Usually carry thousands of gallons of ocean water to the land causing flooding.
6) The year __________ marked another great stride forward for weather science. Ferdinando II de Medici began the first weather-observing network.
1654
9) Communicating weather information over long distances became very easy once the electric telegraph was invented in __________.
1837
7) The United States established its own weather observation service in ________.
1849
8) In ________, a storm-warning service became France's newest contribution to the science of meteorology.
1854
16) In ______, the Texas government wrote laws that would protect the soil from rapid erosion.
1939
10) Computers began to be used in the _______ to take data of wind speed, air pressure, clouds, fronts and other atmospheric conditions around the world and chart a weather map, showing the locations of these factors.
1950's
11) The first weather satellite was launched in __________ and has helped scientists to forecast weather accurately the majority of the time.
1960
19) How many satellites have been placed around the earth?
5
2) What is true about the water cycle?
After water is evaporated, it condenses to form clouds.
8) Some negative effects from hurricanes are:
Birds who migrate to regions where hurricanes have destroyed trees must find other places to live. can kill animals and people imbalance of organisms in an ecosystem Debris is often scattered throughout an area and can contaminate the water supply and other natural resources of a region. land formations and shorelines can be worn away by flooding
4) In 1714, _____________ improved the thermometer, and in 1724, he created a measuring scale.
Daniel Fahrenheit
3) What causes dew to appear on the ground?
Dew appears on the ground when cool air condenses water vapor into liquid water.
10) What are some safety precautions you should take when a flood threatens your area?
Do not drive a car through roads covered with water. Move to high ground and stay away from flood water. Do not walk through moving water.
8) How can floods impact organisms in an ecosystem?
Dry lands that are unable to absorb large amounts of rain turn quickly into lakes. Land-dwelling organisms are forced to find other places to live.
22) What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
During a tornado watch, the conditions point to the formation of tornadoes. In a tornado warning, a tornado has been spotted by someone.
26) How are weather scientists important to society?
Everyone depends on meteorologists to make life easier and safer. Without this useful science, farmers, sailors, travelers, and many other people would not be able to do their jobs very well. Weather scientists make predictions about weather conditions, this is something that affects everyone's activities.
Thousands of gallons of water are carried along inside a hurricane, and winds blow at speeds of 150 miles per hour or higher. Many hurricanes are several miles wide and travel for hundreds of miles before dying out.
False, 75
5) Where do most hurricanes form?
Indian Ocean South Atlantic Ocean Caribbean Sea
9) What is true about the earth's atmosphere?
It is composed of many layers. It is about 310 miles high. It is where weather happens.
8) What does the atmosphere do?
It works to protect and insulate the earth from the harsh conditions of space.
7) Flood watches and warnings are issued by:
National Weather Service
4) How does a cloud form?
Once water vapor turns into liquid drops, those drops cling to the particles of dust around them and gradually press together. Water vapor in the air cools.
14) How does human activity contribute to erosion?
Pollution also contributes to erosion, as compounds in pollution react with water molecules in rain to produce acid rain When humans clear away large areas of trees and other vegetation in order to construct buildings, highways, or other features, the soil erodes much more quickly.
7) Soil is broken down_________ mixed with_______ material.
ROCK ORGANIC
5) What are some of the safety precautions you should take if a wildfire develops in your area?
Take the path that leads away from the fire. Alert the fire department. Call a relative or friend to let them know you are okay. Listen to the radio or television for updates and evacuate if told to do so.
Which was a destructive event caused by a drought that was aggravated by human activity?
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s
21) Describe the effect of erosion in each of the following ecoregions: Gulf Prairies and Plains, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, and Piney Woods.
The Gulf Prairies and Plains region experiences the most consistent and widespread erosion because this part of Texas borders the Gulf of Mexico, the waves of the ocean continually hit the shore and erode the shoreline. The Edwards Plateau - much of the soil in this region has been worn away by erosion. One feature in particular that has experienced much erosion is Enchanted Rock. Weathering causes the surface of the rock to peel away into sheets by a process called exfoliation. The High Plains - contains the Palo Duro Canyon that was shaped by water erosion, as the Red River flows through it and continues to wear away the rock. The Piney Woods - Since there are many plants and trees to hold the soil in place, this area does not experience much soil erosion.
17) How does a tornado form?
The air leaves a large space of low pressure that causes a spiral move. Tornadoes form during storms. They start to build in a cloud if a column of warm air moves upward very quickly.
18) What explains why the northern and southern hemispheres experience opposite seasons at the same time?
The tilt of the earth affects how directly the sun's rays hit different parts of the earth.
How does the earth's tilt affect weather?
The tilt of the earth affects how directly the sun's rays hit different parts of the earth.
21) How do satellites help meteorologists understand the weather?
They are able to observe cloud movement over a short amount of time, so they can predict where storms or fair weather will take place.
5) What is the difference between physical and chemical weathering?
They are basically the same thing, both change the make up of the rock. Chemical weathering involves changing the chemical composition of the rock, forming a different substance. Physical weathering involves a physical change by force.
Most hurricanes form just around the equator in areas of warm, wet air.
True
8) The two most important agents of weathering are ____ and ____.
WIND WATER
6) Which is true about weather?
Weather is the conditions in the atmosphere in a certain place at a certain time. Weather is continually changing, but usually follows a pattern in each climate zone of the earth. Weather is a force of nature that people are not able to control.
2) What describes a wildfire?
Wildfires can travel at speeds of 15 miles per hour. Wildfires can be very deadly because they move quickly and are hard to stop. A wildfire can range in size from less than half an acre, to over 100,000 acres.
23) A satellite is:
a device that is launched into space and orbits the earth or another planetary body
4) What are some causes of wildfires?
a discarded cigarette fireworks playing with matches lightning arson not properly extinguishing campfires
19) What is an ecoregion?
an area that has similar land forms, temperatures, and weather conditions
7) What is an ecosystem?
an environment and the organisms that inhabit it
1) What is a wildfire?
an uncontrolled fire that travels quickly, consuming grass, bushes and trees in its path
horse latitudes
area between the westerly winds and the trade winds where there is almost no wind at all
The highest clouds in the sky are called ______________ clouds. These are usually very curly, wispy layers that spread out in wavy lines about 20,000 feet into the sky.
cirrus
Prevailing winds
consistent, strong winds that always flow in the same direction
17) Farmers have now learned to rotate their crops (such as planting corn one year and alfalfa grass the next), plow the fields in ___________ following the shape of the land (to prevent too much water runoff), and plant trees near their fields to protect from strong wind.
contours
9) Some positive effects from hurricanes are:
cools off the tropical areas Without hurricanes, some areas of the world would face a yearly drought.
barometer
measures air pressure
thermometer
measures air temperature
hygrograph
measures and records the water vapor or humidity in the air
hygrometer
measures humidity in the air
rain gauge
measures the amount of rainfall
snow gauge
measures the amount of snowfall
weather vane
measures wind direction
anemometer
measures wind speed
1) People who study and predict the weather are known as _____________.
meteorologists
6) What causes an earthquake?
moving earth plates near faults in the earth's crust
5) Floods cause __________, another dangerous event. If too much rain falls on a hilly area, the soil will turn to_________ and flow swiftly downhill, grabbing trees, grass, and buildings on its way down.
mudslides mud
16) How can a human contribute to drought conditions in an area?
poor farming techniques over-plowing of fields failure to rotate crops
12) A drought normally happens because of lack of _______________ over an extended period of time.
precipitation
Jet stream
quickly moving channels of wind that are like air highways
25) The word radar stands for:
radio detection and range
7) What are some forms of precipitation?
rain sleet snow hail
3) One of the first weather devices, a(n) ___________, was invented in Korea.
rain gauge
9) What is acid rain?
rain that falls in an area that has polluted air rain that combines with harmful gases and chemicals
19) What things can humans do to protect against the effects of droughts?
restricting water use conserving natural resources crop rotation
