What is the main source of energy for the Earth?
The Sun.
What happens to warm air?
Warm air rises because it is less dense.
What is a key factor in air rising?
Warmth and lower density.
What is evaporation?
The process of liquid water turning into water vapor.
when thermal energy is transferred via particle collisions
Conduction
How does the Sun's radiation warm the ground?
The Sun's radiation heats the ground directly.
Why does warm air rise?
Warm air is less dense than cooler air, so it rises.
What happens to cooler air?
Cooler air sinks because it is denser.
How does humidity affect weather?
High humidity can lead to cloud formation and precipitation.
Transfer of heat through empty space
Radiation
What is thermal energy?
Thermal energy produced when a rise in temperature causes atoms and molecules to move faster and collide with each other.
What is conduction?
Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact.
How does water vapor affect the air?
Water vapor increases humidity and can change air pressure.
the relationship between the amount of matter in a sample and its volume
density
How does the Sun's energy affect water?
The Sun heats water, causing it to evaporate.
What does less dense air do?
Less dense air rises, creating upward air movement.
Why do air parcels push up against gravity?
As air rises, it moves against the pull of gravity because the surrounding cooler, heavier air pushes it upward.
What role does evaporation play in humidity?
Evaporation adds water vapor to the air, increasing humidity levels.
Any type of solid particle that water vapor sticks to as it cools down.
Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN)
Describe the process of energy transfer from the Sun to the Earth.
The Sun radiates energy, warming the Earth's surface, which then warms the air above it through conduction.
Explain how air density affects weather patterns.
The higher the temperatures the less dense the air. The changes in our temperatures from hot to cold within the air in our atmosphere causes winds which then help create high and low pressure areas. So, changes in air density help create winds, clouds, and different types of weather, like sunny skies or rainy days!
What weather conditions are needed for a storm?
Warm air, low air pressure, high humidity
How does high humidity help make thunderstorms stronger?
High humidity can also fuel strong storms like thunderstorms. The moisture in the air provides energy for the storm, making it more intense.
When cooling a substance turns it from a gas into a solid.
Deposition