Geography Grade 5 Weather

Question 1

What is the definition of temperature?

Answer 1

Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is

Question 2

On days when it is neither hot nor cold, we say that the temperature is ….?

Answer 2

Mild

Question 3

Lowest temperatures are usually just after ….?

Answer 3

Sunrise

Question 4

Highest temperatures are usually just after ….?

Answer 4

Midday (12 o’clock)

Question 5

Temperature is measured in …?

Answer 5

Degrees Celsius

Question 6

What is a thermometer?

Answer 6

An instrument used to measure temperature

Question 7

At what temperature does water boil?

Answer 7

100 degrees Celsius

Question 8

At what temperature does water freeze?

Answer 8

0 (zero) degrees Celsius

Question 9

What is the temperature of a healthy person?

Answer 9

37 degrees Celsius

Question 10

What is the definition of freezing point?

Answer 10

It is the temperature at which water freezes - at 0 (zero) degrees Celsius.

Question 11

What instrument do you use to measure wind speed?

Answer 11

Anemometer

Question 12

What is wind?

Answer 12

Wind is moving air

Question 13

Why does air move?

Answer 13

Air moves because there are differences in the temperature of the air. As it gets hotter, it gets lighter and rises. Then cold air blows in to take its place.

Question 14

What 2 things can be used to measure wind direction?

Answer 14

Wind vane and wind sock.

Question 15

How are winds named?

Answer 15

They are named according to the direction FROM which they blow. eg a westerly wind blows from WEST to EAST.

Question 16

What is a nautical mile?

Answer 16

It’s the unit used to measure distances at sea. One nautical mile = 1.8km

Question 17

What is a knot?

Answer 17

Wind speed is measured in knots. One knot = one nautical mile per hour.
1knt = 1.8km/hr

Question 18

What is a cloud?

Answer 18

It’s a collection of very tiny droplets of water or ice crystals. The droplets are so tiny and light that they can float in the air.

Question 19

Air that is closer to the ground is usually in the form of an invisible gas called …?

Answer 19

Water vapour

Question 20

What weather symbol do we use to indicate cloud cover on a map?

Answer 20

A circle

Question 21

What does a completely black circle mean on a map?

Answer 21

The whole sky will be completely covered with clouds. This is called OVERCAST.

Question 22

What does an unshaded circle mean on a map?

Answer 22

Clear skies with no cloud.

Question 23

Why is rain important? Give 3 reasons.

Answer 23

1. All living things depend on rain to survive.
2. Crops, trees, plants and animals grow when enough rain falls.
3. Rain cleans the air by getting rid of pollutants and dust.

Question 24

What instrument do we use to measure rain?

Answer 24

Rain gauge

Question 25

What unit do we measure rain in?

Answer 25

Millimetres (mm).

Question 26

What is the definition of atmosphere?

Answer 26

It is the air that surrounds the earth.

Question 27

What is precipitation?

Answer 27

It’s when water falls from the atmosphere in liquid or solid form. ie as rain, hail or snow.

Question 28

How is snow formed?

Answer 28

Snow starts off in the same way as rain, with tiny droplets of water joining together in the clouds until they are too heavy. Snow is formed when tiny pieces of ice crystals stick together.

Question 29

How is hail formed?

Answer 29

Hail forms in large thunder clouds when balls of ice are continuously pulled far up into the colder parts of the atmosphere. As the ice goes up, it gathers more water and freezes into a bigger ball. Finally it gets very heavy and falls to the ground as hail.

Question 30

Name 4 ways in which weather can affect people’s daily lives.

Answer 30

1. TYPE OF AGRICULTURE in a country is affected by the weather. SA’s weather is moderate so farmers can grow different types of crops and keep a variety of animals.
2. TYPE OF HOUSES we build is affected by weather.
   Hot climates - buildings are often painted white/light to reflect heat.
   Cold climates - some houses are built on stilts as protection from the freezing ground. Eskimo’s build igloos made from blocks of ice.
3. CHOICE OF CLOTHING is affected by weather.
   Hot days - we wear cool clothes.
   Cold days - we wear warm clothes and jackets.
   Rainy days - we wear raincoats and use umbrellas.
4. SPORT, LEISURE & TRAVEL are affected by weather.
   Sport example: If it’s raining, sport practices are cancelled. In SA we don’t get much snow, so there’s no skiing.
   Leisure example: If it’s hot, we swim, ride a bike or take a dog for a walk. If it’s raining, we stay indoors, read a book, play games or watch a movie.
   Travel example: If it’s raining, we travel by car to school instead of walking. For a holiday, you can travel to France to go skiing in winter.