Layers of the Atmosphere
What layer of the atmosphere does weather occur in?
Troposphere
Define "weather."
Weather is what's happening in the air/sky around you in one particular location, at one point in time.
What tool measures temperature?
Thermometers!
Show me the water cycle with your hands!
Collection/Accumulation
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
What type of storm produces lightening?
A thunderstorm!
What is the atmosphere made of?
GASES!
Define "climate."
Climate is the pattern of weather in one location over a long period of time--several months or years!
What does a wind vane do?
A wind vane can tell which direction the wind is blowing.
Describe "collection" (a.k.a. "accumulation"). What bodies of water can be involved in this step of the water cycle?
Collection/accumulation occurs when water pools together in one place.
Like in:
puddles, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, etc.
What type of extreme weather is caused by cold and hot fronts (air) smashing together?
(Hint: These produce winds strong enough to move houses!)
Tornadoes!
Why is the atmosphere important for life on earth?
The atmosphere protects the Earth and helps to provide the conditions that make life possible (not too hot, not too cold; air to breath).
Choose "weather" or "climate" for the following example:
"Today, it will be 80 degrees Fahrenheit in San Diego, California, at 2pm."
WEATHER
A (weather) satellite!
Why does water evaporate?
The intense heat from the sun turns the liquid water in to water vapor (which is a gas).
What type of storm gets so big it can be seen and tracked from space?
A hurricane!
What happens as you reach the outer layers of the atmosphere (the layers closest to space)?
It gets hotter!
Choose "weather" or "climate" for the following example:
The weather here in Colorado has been getting hotter over the last 20 years.
CLIMATE
What can scientists send into the atmosphere to measure weather conditions at higher altitudes (higher up in the atmosphere)?
A weather balloon!
Name the four types of precipitation.
Rain
Snow
Sleet
Hail
What is the main difference between a snow storm and a blizzard?
Wind!
Blizzards are snow storms that combine with strong winds to create "white-out" conditions.
Name all five layers of the atmosphere.
(This one is tricky, so just do your best!)
Trophosphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Why is it important to study weather and climate?
Studying weather can help protect people from potentially dangerous weather (like hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, thunderstorms).
Studying climate can help protect the us and the earth from potentially dangerous temperatures and chain-reactions.
What tool measures air pressure?
A barometer!
Describe how clouds are made. What part of the water cycle is this connected to?
Water vapor cools and mixes with particles in the air to form clouds. (Wind can move these clouds around.)
This is a part of "condensation."
What causes the "BOOM!" in thunderstorms?
The lightening is so hot, and moves so quickly, that it causes all the air around the lightening strike to expand rapidly and jump out of the way. This creates that loud "BOOM!" and is called thunder.