Weather & Astronomy

Describe 4 ways that the atmosphere is vital to life on Earth.

1- Protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays 2- Regulates Earth's temperatures which allows water to remain in a useable liquid form 3- Provides us with oxygen and other gases necessary for life 4- Prevents most meteoroids from hitting Earth's surface

What is precipitation? Give examples of precipitation.

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface such as sleet, hail , snow and rain.

What happens to the density of air as you rise upwards in the atmosphere? What causes this change in density?

As altitude increases density will decrease - As altitude increases the gas molecules that make up the air spread further apart - this creates a lower number of particles in a given volume - this means lower mass/volume = lower density.

What happens to the temperature of air as you rise upwards in the atmosphere? What causes this change in temperature?

As altitude increases temperature decreases. The temperature decreases because the higher you go into the troposphere, the thinner the atmosphere gets. The total heat content is directly related to the amount of matter present, so it is cooler at higher elevations.

Describe what happens to air pressure as you rise upwards in the atmosphere. What causes this change in air pressure?

As altitude increases, air pressure will decrease As altitude increases the gas molecules that make up the air spread further apart. Smaller number of particles pushing down on a given area means lower air pressure.

Scientists use many tools to help them study the weather. Describe how each of the following tools is used in the study of weather.

Barometer - tool used to measure air pressure. Hygrometer - tool used to measure humidity Wind vane - tool used to measure wind direction Anemometer - tool used to measure wind speed Satellite - technology that is used to measure cloud cover and storms.

What is ozone? Where is the ozone layer located?

It is a layer that is made of 3 atoms of oxygen that protects the earth from UV radiation. It is found in the stratosphere.

Draw the symbols that are used to represent each of the following. Use a weather map to help you.

Low Pressure High Pressure Cold Front Warm Front Stationary Front Occuluded Front

What type of scientist studies the weather?

Meteorologist

Describe what happens to molecules of air as their temperature decreases.

Molecules slow down and come together or contract

Describe what happens to molecules of air as their temperature increases.

Molecules speed up and spread out or expand

What are the 4 most abundant gases in the earth's atmosphere? Give the percentage of each gas.

Nitrogen- 78% Oxygen- 21% Argon- <1% Carbon Dioxide- .04%

What are clouds made of?

Particles such as salt crystals, dust from soil, and smoke and water vapor.

What is the jet stream? In which direction does the jet stream move weather systems in the U.S.?

The Jet Stream is a band of high-speed winds about 10 kilometers above Earth's surface. The Jet Stream moves weather west to east in the U. S. It moves from West to East- California to RI

Define weather

The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Define altitude

The elevation or distance above sea level.

What is the atmosphere?

The envelope of gases that surrounds the earth.

In which layer of the atmosphere does most weather occur?

Troposphere

List the layers of the atmosphere from the surface of the Earth outward towards space

Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere -Ionosphere -Exosphere

True or False: The air around us is made up of a combination of solids, liquids, and gases. Explain your answer

True! Solids - dust particles Liquids - Rain Gases - Water vapor, Nitrogen, Oxygen etc.