Air Parcels
What causes a warm air parcel to rise in the troposphere?
What is warm air is less dense and rises
What is condensation?
Water vapor changing into liquid water.
What is the primary source of energy that drives weather patterns on Earth?
The sun.
What is one type of evidence scientists use to explain why a storm caused more rain?
Rainfall, temperature, or wind data.
What factors contribute to a storm’s severity?
The temperature of the air parcel, amount of surface water, and wind strength.
As an air parcel rises, what happens to its temperature?
It decreases as the parcel rises.
What causes condensation to occur in the atmosphere?
When air cools to its dew point.
How does energy transfer from Earth's surface to the air?
The surface absorbs sunlight and transfers heat to the air above it.
Why is temperature data important when analyzing weather patterns?
It helps show whether air parcels were warm enough to rise.
How does wind influence how much rain a storm produces?
Wind can push air parcels higher into the troposphere, causing more cooling and condensation.
Why does a higher-rising air parcel often lead to more rainfall?
It cools more, causing more condensation and rain.
How are clouds related to condensation?
Clouds are made of condensed water droplets.
Why does more sunlight lead to increased rainfall?
It increases surface heating, which makes air parcels rise and condense.
How can scientists use wind data to understand a storm's impact?
Stronger winds can push parcels higher = more rain.
What evidence can be used to compare two storms?
Rainfall amounts, wind speed, temperature data, and reports of flooding or damage.
What determines whether an air parcel will rise or stay in place?
The temperature difference between the parcel and surrounding air.
What conditions are needed for condensation to lead to rain?
Rising air, cooling, and enough water vapor.
How does wind affect air parcels and weather?
It can push air parcels higher, increasing rainfall potential.
What is a scientific claim, and what must support it?
A scientific explanation that must be supported by evidence and reasoning.
Why does rising air cool as it moves higher in the atmosphere?
The air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, so the rising air expands and loses energy, cooling as a result.
What happens to the energy of an air parcel as it rises higher in the atmosphere?
It is lost to the surrounding cooler air.
Why is condensation more likely in cooler air?
Cooler air holds less water vapor, so condensation occurs more easily.
What happens when energy is removed from water vapor?
It condenses into liquid water.
What kind of reasoning helps connect weather evidence to a claim?
Logical reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.
How can scientists explain why one storm caused more flooding than another?
By analyzing temperature, wind, surface water, and rainfall data to determine how much rain was produced and how fast it fell.