What is wind like at the equator?
low because it air pressure low
What energy input drives ocean currents?
sunlight
What is evaporation?
liquid to gas
What is weather?
the temperature, precipitation, humidity, etc. right now
What is climate and what is it usually measured in?
average TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATION over a long period of time
What can wind transport?
energy, organic matter, dust, pollen
What are things ocean currents can transfer?
energy, nutrients, organisms, matter, etc.
What is condensation?
gas to liquid
Why are weather predictions not 100% accurate?
weather is always changing and it is a complex phenomenon
How does the ocean affect weather and climate?
absorbs energy, reflects heat back, transfers energy to other places
What is the Coriolis Effect?
Earth's rotation causes the wind to curve and not follow a straight line
What drives deep currents?
density differences, the less dense water rises etc.
What is sublimation?
solid to gas
What is an example of predicting weather with probability?
EX: 20% chance of snow
What is the Rain Shadow Effect?
air rises up one side of the mountain, cools to form clouds and precipitation, but can't rise over the mountain leaving the other side dry
How are the wind and ocean currents related?
wind moves the surface currents in the same direction
How does Earth's rotation affect ocean currents?
It causes them to curve = Coriolis Effect
What is transpiration?
liquid to gas from plant leaves
What do high and low pressure systems bring?
high = clear skies
low = storms
What are the six factors that impact climate?
elevation, latitude, ocean currents, large bodies of water, prevailing winds, landmasses
What causes wind?
sun heats Earth unevenly -> temperature differences -> pressure differences -> wind
What is salinity and how does it impact ocean currents?
Salinity is the amount of salt in the water, the more salt the more dense
What two processes or forces drive the water cycle?
energy from the sun and gravity
How does a hurricane form?
warm air over the ocean rises, creating low pressure at the surface, more air flows in, warms up and rises and begins to rotate
What is the climate like for an inland area versus the coast at the same latitude?
the inland area has more variety in weather and the coast stays the same