Weather and Climate
What is the weather map symbol for a cold front and warm front?
Cold-triangles; warm-half circles
What are the global wind patterns called?
Trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies.
What causes ocean currents?
Wind, Earth's rotation, and differences in water temperature and salinity.
How do volcanic eruptions affect climate?
They can release ash and gases that block sunlight, leading to temporary cooling.
What is the carbon cycle?
The process of carbon being exchanged among the atmosphere, land, water, and organisms.
What vocabulary describes warm air rising and cool air sinking?
convection currents
How does the Coriolis effect influence weather?
The Coriolis effect causes winds to curve, influencing storm paths and weather systems.
How do ocean currents influence climate?
They can transport warm or cold water across vast distances, affecting regional climates.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, warming the planet.
How does biodiversity contribute to ecosystem stability?
High biodiversity increases resilience to changes and disruptions in ecosystems.
Describe how energy from the Sun, the atmosphere and they hydrosphere interacts in ways that affect global weather. (3 things!)
1. Due to heat, water evaporates and enters the atmosphere.
2. Energy is provided to both the hydrosphere and the atmosphere by the sun.
3. The Sun unevenly heats the Earth's surface which in turn heats the air above it, leading to weather phenomena.
Describe how low and high atmospheric pressure affects local weather and what are the weather map symbols.
High pressure typically leads to clear skies and calm weather, while low pressure can lead to storms and precipitation. Low pressure symbol is a blue capital L. High pressure symbol is a red capital H.
Describe the interaction between air masses and ocean currents in tropical cyclones.
Warm ocean water fuels tropical cyclones, while the interaction with cooler air masses can slow them down or weaken them.
Describe how human activities influence climate change.
Activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes increase greenhouse gas emissions.
What is primary succession?
The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption.
How do ocean currents affect local weather patterns?
Ocean currents can warm or cool the air above them, influencing local climate.
What is a jet stream and how does it influence weather?
A fast-flowing air current in the upper atmosphere that can steer weather systems and influence temperature.
What is the difference between a typhoon and a hurricane?
They are the same type of storm; the term "typhoon" is used in the Northwest Pacific, while "hurricane" is used in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific.
What role does deforestation play in climate change?
Deforestation reduces the number of trees that absorb CO2, increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
How do natural disasters impact food webs?
They can disrupt the balance of species, leading to population declines or increases.
Explain how hurricanes are formed.
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when moist air rises, leading to low-pressure systems and intense wind patterns.
Identify a factor that can change atmospheric movement patterns.
Changes in temperature, land use, or natural disasters can alter atmospheric patterns.
How do El Niño and La Niña affect weather patterns?
El Niño causes warmer ocean temperatures and can lead to increased rainfall, while La Niña causes cooler temperatures and can result in drier conditions.
Explain how abrupt changes in ocean currents can affect global climate.
Sudden shifts can disrupt weather patterns and alter temperatures across the globe.
Describe the impact of urbanization on ecosystems.
Urbanization can lead to habitat loss, fragmentation, and changes in local climate and biodiversity.