Particles in Motion/States of Matter
Explain how particles move in solids, liquids and gases.
Solid: vibrate
Liquid: Collide and slide past eachother
Gas: Freely
Define "Conduction" and provide an example involving a solid object.
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through touch. A metal spoon being heated by the soup you are eating
Define "Groundwater" and where it is typically stored.
Groundwater is any water found under land. Usually found in aquifiers. (gaps between rocks)
What is "Wind," and what causes it to move from one place to another?
Wind is moving air. Air pressure
Explain the shape and volume of a solid, liquid and gas.
Solid: Definite for both
Liquid: Definite volume change in shape
Gas: Not definite for both
What is "Absolute Zero," what happens to particle motion at this temperature, and whether or not scientists have been able to reach it?
0 Kelvin, all motion stops. No
Describe the difference between an Open System and a Closed System when talking about energy.
Open systems loose heat to the environment, closed systems do not
What is "Crystallization" (as it relates to the atmosphere)? Give an example of water changing state this way.
Crystallization is a gas turning directly into a solid.
Snow
Describe how a "Density Current" is different than surface current.
Density current moves vertically and goes from denser areas to less dense.
Surface current moves horizontally and is powered by wind
Explain why the handle of a kitchen appliance is of a different material than the part that food is cooked on.
The base needs to be a conductor in order to quickly cook the food. The handle needs to be an insulator to slow down how quickly it heats and protect our hands.
Compare Evaporation and Boiling. How are they similar, and how are they different in terms of where they happen in a liquid?
They both are liquid to gas. Boiling happens throughout and happens quickly. Evaporation happens slowly and only on the surface
Explain how the Surface Area of a puddle affects how quickly it evaporates into the atmosphere.
The larger the surface area of the puddle is the faster it will evaporate because the more water will be heated up.
Explain how gravity acts as a "motor" for the movement of water on Earth’s surface.
Gravity forces the water to move down hill.
How does Latitude affect the amount of solar energy a specific location on Earth receives?
At the equator the sun hits at a 90 degree angle making concentrated light, where as the latitude increases the angle becomes smaller spreading the sun out over more area
Describe the "Water Cycle" and explain why the total amount of water on Earth stays the same.
The water cycle is the process of water going from the earth to the atmosphere (as water vapor) than condensing and going back to earth. We can not just make new water
Compare the potential energy of particles in a solid to the potential energy of particles in a gas. Why is there a difference?
Solids have less potential energy than gas. The distance between the particles
Synthesize how all three methods of heat transfer work together to heat the air in our atmosphere.
Radiation heats up the land from the sun. the land then uses conduction to heat up the air through touch. The air at the surface then uses convection to heat up the air higher in the atmosphere
Evaluate how animals who are living contributes to the water cycle.
When animals breathe out they release water vapor into the atmosphere
How does the "Coriolis Effect" change the path of winds in the Northern vs. Southern Hemispheres?
Northern hemisphere moves clockwise and Southern moves counter clockwise
What is a "Gyre," and how do landmasses influence them?
A gyre is the circular current movement, and landmass is what causes them to move in a circle
Imagine you have two identical containers of water at 50°C, but one is a small cup and one is a large bucket. Which has more thermal energy? Defend your answer.
The large bucket. There are more particles meaning there is more total energy
You are designing a lunchbox to keep food cold. Based on what you know about reflectivity and thickness, what materials would you choose?
White and Shiney materials because it has a high reflectivity. Thick material that slows down conduction.
If a major city pumps too much water out of an aquifer faster than it rains, what are the likely consequences for the geosphere?
The ground will dry out and we will not be able to grow as many plants.
or
It will sink
Imagine Earth’s surface was covered entirely in Ice. How would this change the total thermal energy of the atmosphere?
The total thermal energy in the atmosphere would decrease because the land would reflect most of the light.
Explain the process of "Upwelling." Why is it important for the ocean surface?
Wind pushes surface water away, letting deep, nutrient-rich water rise.