The Water Cycle
What is the main energy source that drives evaporation?
What do we call moving air?
wind
What tool measures air temperature?
thermometer
What form of precipitation is made of ice crystals and snowflakes?
snow
What is the amount of salt dissolved in water called?
salinity
What is the process called when liquid water changes into water vapor?
evaporation
What happens to warm air: does it rise or sink?
rises
What tool measures air pressure?
barometer
What happens to air as it rises up a mountain?
cools
What usually happens to cold, dense ocean water?
sinks
What is the process called when water vapor changes into liquid droplets?
condensation
What causes the Coriolis effect?
earth's rotation / spinning
What is the boundary where two different air masses meet?
weather front
What can happen when moist air rises, cools, and condenses on a mountain?
clouds and precipitation forms
What is a large, circular system of ocean currents called?
ocean gyre
What is the process called when water falls from clouds to Earth?
precipitation
Where is rainfall most common?
near the equator and/or oceans and large bodies of water
What does falling air pressure often tell us about upcoming weather?
stormy or cold weather
What is a dry area on the side of a mountain where air descends and warms after losing moisture called?
rain shadow
What is melting on earth because of climate change and causing the oceans to become less salty and less dense?
polar ice caps
What force pulls water downhill as runoff?
gravity
What is it called when warm air rises and cold air sinks?
convection
Name two tools scientists use to collect weather data.
thermometer, barometer, anemometer, wind vane, rain gauge, radar, or satellite.
What is it called when cold air moves over warmer lake water, gains moisture, rises, cools, and produces snow when conditions are cold enough?
lake-effect snow
How does El Nino change the weather?
warmer and more rain / wetter