Clouds
Weather comes from the interaction of what 3 things?
heat, air, water vapor
what causes the temperature on the surface of the earth to increase and decrease?
the amount of solar radiation reaching certain spots
the behavior of air results in air pressure changes. this produces what?
wind
what is the source of clouds and precipitation
water vapor
what is a meteorologist
a scientist who studies the weather
what is the science of weather called?
meteorology
describe weather vs climate
Weather is the atmospheric conditions at a certain time and place.
Climate is the year round weather typical of a certain place. Climate can only be accurately determined by keeping records over a long period of time.
In the temperate zone how many seasons are there and what are they called?
the Temperate Zone hs 4 distinct seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Describe the season spring - including the name of the first day of spring and when it occurs, day and night length of spring, etc.
Spring - Vernal Equinox (March 21) - The first day of spring. The day and night are of equal length on this day. A time of increasing warmth, trees bloom, grass turns green, flowers emerge and the days begin to get longer as the sun climbs higher in the sky each day.
Describe the summer season - including the name of the first day of and when it occurs, day and night length, sun position, etc.
Summer-Summer Solstice (June 21) - The first day of summer. This is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. The sun will be at its highest in the sky during summer and the days will be at their longest.
Describe the Fall season - including the name of the first day of and when it occurs, day and night length, sun position, etc.
Fall - Autumnal Equinox (September 22) - The first day of fall. The day and night are of equal length on this day. Now the nights will begin to cool followed by cooling days. The leaves will begin to change colors and eventually fall off the trees.
Describe the Winter season - including the name of the first day of and when it occurs, day and night length, sun position, etc.
Winter - Winter Solstice (December 22) - The first day of winter. This is the shortest day of the year with the longest night. The sun will never be very high in the sky during this season.
What causes the seasons to change?
As the earth revolves around the sun, the seasons will change because of the relationship between the earth and the sun due to the tilt.
Because that tilt of the earth, sometimes the N. Hemisphere is leaning toward the sun (our summer) and sometimes the S. Hemisphere is leaning toward the sun (our winter)
On the longer days of summer, the sun has more hours to heat the earth and since the nights are shorter, there is less time for the earth to cool. Therefore, in the summer, the temperatures will increase
In the winter, the time to heat the earth is much shorter and the nights have a more time to lose the heat from the day. Therefore, in the winter the temperatures will decrease.
what is the earth's axis and what is its degree of tilt?
The axis is the imaginary line running through the center of the earth from pole to pole. Our axis is not straight, but is at a slight tilt of 23.5 degrees.
how many days does it take the earth to orbit the sun. What is that called?
It takes the earth 365.25 days to orbit the sun. That is called a solar year. The direction that our axis is pointing never changes in that trip.
where is the earth always pointed? (what star?)
We are always pointed toward Polaris, the polestar.
when does the N. Hemisphere is leaning toward the sun?
Because that tilt never changes, there are times in the orbit when the N. Hemisphere is leaning toward the sun (our summer)
when is the S. Hemisphere is leaning toward the sun?
our winter
describe the day and night length in summer and winter
Summer = long days and short nights
Winter = short days and long nights
Explain the effect of sunlight that hits the earth in different places. (equator and poles)
sunlight is able to strike the Earth directly is more efficient than sunlight that strikes the earth at an angle.
at the equator, sunlight hits the earth directly at an angle of 0 degrees, which makes it very warm and bright. near the poles, sunlight strikes at an angle of 90 degrees, and is cold.
Another factor that effects heating is the kind of surface the sunlight is striking. Explain this factor.
Blacktop area (pavement) is hot. Puddles are cool.
Soil, rocks, and dark surfaces absorb energy from the sun vey quickly. Snow, ice and water absorb the energy more slowly.
Heat from the sun is responsible for heating the earth. But there are several factors that effect the heating and temperature of the earth's surface. What are they?
1. the angle of sun on earth (ie equator vs poles)
2. the kind of surface sunlight is hitting (like pavement or a puddle)
3. clouds
why does the shape of our planet affect how it can be heated
our planet is round.
sunlight is able to strike the Earth directly is more efficient than sunlight that strikes the earth at an angle.
at the equator, sunlight hits the earth directly at an angle of 0 degrees, which makes it very warm and bright. near the poles, sunlight strikes at an angle of 90 degrees, and is cold.
How do clouds effect the Earth during the daytime and night time in terms of temperature?
during the day clouds reflect sunlight, blocking the sun's heat
during the night, clouds act like a blanket, trapping warm air and keeping it close to the earth
a change in weather involves a change in one or more of what 7 atmospheric conditions
temperature, air pressure, wind speed, precipitation, wind direction, cloud cover, humidity