Vocabulary
Key Concepts
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
100
Energy
the ability to make things move or change
100
FILL IN THE BLANKS: Energy from the sun is transferred to Earth's _______. Some of that energy is then transferred to the ______ above the surface.
surface; air
100
Milltown is 15ºC (59ºF) in the spring. What is the source for most of the energy that causes this temperature?
the sun
100
Ferris is 6ºC (43ºF) in the winter. What is the source for most of the energy that causes this temperature?
the sun
100
Demi is studying the amount of snowfall at the South Pole. She wants to describe it using cause and effect. How could she do that?
She can describe more than one cause. There can be more than one cause for the effect—amount of snowfall.
200
Transfer
to move from one object to another or one place to another
200
FILL IN THE BLANKS: Energy transfers from warmer substances to colder substances. Warmer ________ transfer energy to cooler air and warmer __________ transfers energy to cooler currents
currents; air
200
Chengdu is closer to the equator than Harbin. Which location has a colder air temperature
(+10 points if you can tell me why)
Harbin, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.
200
Alesund and Khatyrka are the same distance from the equator and they are both near the ocean. Using the in the map: how does the air temperature of Alesund compare to the air temperature of Khatyrka?
(+20 points if you can explain why?)
The air at Alesund is warmer than Khatyrka.
BECAUSE: At Alesund, energy is transferred from the ocean to the air. At Khatyrka, energy is transferred from the air to the ocean.
200
Delta and Alpha are the same distance from the equator, and they are both near the ocean. Using the information in the map, how does the air temperature of Delta compare to the air temperature of Alpha?
(+30 points if you can explain why)
The air at Delta is warmer than Alpha.
BECAUSE: The winds push ocean water that turns and follows the coasts. Energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Delta and energy is transferred from the air to the ocean at Alpha.
300
Ocean Currents
ocean water flowing in a continuous path
300
FILL IN THE BLANKS: When an ocean current comes from the __________, it brings warmer-than expected water to the places it passes, and that water is warmer than the nearby air. When an ocean current comes from the __________, it brings colder than expected water to the places it passes, and that water is colder than the nearby air.
Equator; poles
300
Hopetown is farther from the equator than Kamina. Which location has a colder air temperature
(+10 points if you can explain why)
Hopetown
BECAUSE: less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.
300
Madison and Oxford are the same distance from the equator and they are both near the ocean. Use the information on the map to answer these questions: How does the air temperature of Madison compare to the air temperature of Oxford?
(+20 points if you can explain why)
The air at Madison is warmer than Oxford.
BECAUSE: At Madison, energy is transferred from the ocean to the air. At Oxford, energy is transferred from the air to the ocean.
300
Mowe Bay and Townsville are the same distance from the equator, and they are both near the ocean. Using the information in the map, how does the air temperature of Mowe Bay compare to the air temperature of Townsville?
(+30 points if you can explain why?)
The air at Mowe Bay is colder than Townsville.
BECAUSE: The winds push ocean water that turns and follows the coasts. Energy is transferred from the air to the ocean at Mowe Bay and energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Townsville.
400
Prevailing Winds
winds that move in one direction and are strong enough to push ocean currents
400
FILL IN THE BLANKS: ___________ and the position of _________ determines the direction of ocean currents.
Prevailing winds; continents
400
Saskatoon is farther from the equator than Lubbock. Which location has a warmer air temperature.
(+10 points if you can explain why?)
Lubbock
BECAUSE more energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.
400
Rolling Rock and Seaside are the same distance from the equator and they are both near the ocean. Use the information on the map to answer these questions: How does the air temperature of Rolling Rock compare to the air temperature of Seaside?
(+20 points if you can explain why)
The air at Rolling Rock is colder than Seaside.
BECAUSE: At Rolling Rock, energy is transferred from the air to the ocean. At Seaside, energy is transferred from the ocean to the air.
400
Penha and Chañaral are the same distance from the equator, and they are both near the ocean. Using the information in the map, how does the air temperature of Penha compare to the air temperature of Chañaral?
(+30 points if you can explain why?)
The air at Penha is warmer than Chañaral.
BECAUSE: The winds push ocean water that turns and follows the coasts. Energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Penha and energy is transferred from the air to the ocean at Chañaral.
500
Continents
any of Earth’s main continuous areas of land, such as Africa, Asia, and North America
500
FILL IN THE BLANKS: Changes to _________ affect ocean currents. Changes to ____________ affect how much energy is brought to (or taken away from) a location
Prevailing winds; Ocean currents
500
Buchanan is closer to the equator than Menindee. Which location has a warmer air temperature.
(+10 points if you can explain why?)
Buchanan
BECAUSE: more energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.
500
Monterey and Virginia Beach are the same distance from the equator and they are both near the ocean. Use the information on the map to answer these questions: How does the air temperature of Monterey compare to the air temperature of Virginia Beach?
(+20 points if you can explain why)
The air at Monterey is colder than Virginia Beach.
BECAUSE: At Monterey, energy is transferred from the air to the ocean. At Virginia Beach, energy is transferred from the ocean to the air.
500
Sar and Dagon are the same distance from the equator, and they are both near the ocean. Using the information in the map, how does the air temperature of Sar compare to the air temperature of Dagon?
(+30 points if you can explain why)
The air at Sar is colder than Dagon.
BECAUSE: The winds push ocean water that turns and follows the coasts. Energy is transferred from the air to the ocean at Sar and energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Dagon.