Earth's Rotation
How long does it take Earth to complete one rotation?
24 hours (1 day)
What is weather?
The condition of the atmosphere at a certain place and time.
What is the phase called when the Moon appears completely dark?
New Moon
Which weather instrument measures temperature?
Thermometer
Which clouds are white, fluffy, and look like cotton balls?
Cumulus clouds
What does Earth rotate on?
Its axis
What is climate?
The usual weather pattern of an area over a long period of time.
What is the phase called when the entire side of the Moon facing Earth appears lighted?
Full Moon
Which weather instrument measures the amount of rainfall?
Rain gauge
Which clouds are thin, wispy, and found high in the sky?
Cirrus clouds
What does Earth's rotation cause?
Day and night
What is precipitation?
Water that falls from clouds, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
What does waxing mean?
The lighted part of the Moon that we see is getting larger.
Which weather instrument measures wind speed?
Anemometer
Which clouds form low, flat, gray layers that can bring cloudy weather or light rain?
Stratus clouds
Why is it daytime on one side of Earth while it is nighttime on the other side?
The side facing the Sun has daylight, while the side facing away from the Sun has nighttime.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes short-term conditions. Climate describes weather patterns over a long period of time.
What does waning mean?
The lighted part of the Moon that we see is getting smaller.
Which weather instrument tells the direction the wind is blowing?
Wind vane/weather vane
You observe tall, dark clouds growing in the sky. What type of weather might you predict?
A storm or heavy rain may be coming.
A student uses a flashlight and a globe to model day and night. What does the flashlight represent, and what should the student do with the globe?
The flashlight represents the Sun. The student should rotate the globe to model Earth's rotation.
Atlanta is rainy and 65°F today, but its summers are usually hot and humid. Which statement describes weather and which describes climate?
Rainy and 65°F today is weather. Hot and humid summers describe climate.
Why does the Moon appear to change shape during the month?
As the Moon revolves around Earth, we see different amounts of its lighted half.
A meteorologist wants to know the temperature, wind speed, and amount of rainfall. Which THREE instruments should be used?
Thermometer, anemometer, and rain gauge
A student observes thin, wispy clouds high in the sky. Later, the clouds begin changing and becoming thicker. What could the cloud observations tell the student?
The weather may be changing.