Weather & Climate
1. Define the difference between weather and climate.
Weather is specific conditions in the atmosphere right now or a specific point in time, while Climate is a trend or pattern over a longer period of time
1. Define the term "latitude."
Latitude is how far north and south a place is from the equator
1. What is the key difference between inner and outer planets regarding their surface?
Inner planets have a rocky surface (and thin atmosphere), and outer planets have a gaseous surface and rings (and thicker atmosphere).
1. What is the name and type of galaxy our solar system is in?
The name is the Milky Way, and it is a Barred Spiral Galaxy.
2. What two pieces of data do scientists primarily use to determine climate?
Temperature and precipitation.
2. What is the key characteristic of cumulus clouds, and where are they typically found?
They are white, puffy clouds that often have a wide and flat base, found at lower elevations
2. What must happen for a Solar System to exist?
Several planets must orbit a star
2. Where is our solar system positioned within the Milky Way galaxy?
On one of the spiral arms, not in the center (about 2/3 from the center).
3. How do we know if a place is more hot and humid than another?
By comparing the humidity and temperature of the two places; the one with the higher temperature and relative humidity will be the more hot and humid place
3. Give an example of evidence that shows evaporation is occurring.
Water level lowering in a cup or a puddle disappearing
3. What is the key difference between an asteroid and a comet?
Comets have a bright tail when they get close to the sun, while asteroids do not.
3. According to the sources, what is generally true about a star's appearance related to its size?
The larger the star, usually the brighter the star
4. Describe a cold front and the typical resulting weather.
Cold air pushes into warm air, causing the warm air to rise steeply upwards, cooling and condensing quickly into cumulonimbus clouds, leading to stormy/severe weather.
4. Where do cirrus clouds form?
At high elevations
4. Name two ways Earth and Saturn differ, based on their properties.
Earth is smaller than Saturn, and Earth has a rocky surface while Saturn is made up of gases and rings. Saturn also has a much longer revolution time
4. What objects make up most of the visible matter in a galaxy?
Stars
5. Describe what a sea breeze is.
During the day, cool air over the water moves towards the land to replace warm air rising
5. Complete the analogy: Smaller the star: dimmer the star, brighter the star: _____
The bigger/larger the star