science Flashcards
What is pressure?
A way of measuring the force applied by molecules in gases and liquids
Common examples include air pressure and water pressure.
What is the primary gas in our atmosphere?
Nitrogen gas
Oxygen gas is also present in high amounts.
What force acts on air, giving it weight?
Gravity
What happens to air pressure as you get closer to the Earth?
It increases
What is the air pressure at sea level in millibars?
1013.25 millibars
How many pounds per square inch (psi) does 1013.25 millibars correspond to?
14.7 psi
What is one atmosphere in psi?
14.7 psi
What happens to pressure as you rise in the atmosphere?
It goes down
What happens to water pressure as you dive deeper into the ocean?
It increases
How much does water pressure increase for every 10 meters (33 feet) you go down?
14.7 psi
At what depth (in meters) will the pressure be about 500 atmospheres?
5,000 meters
What must deep-sea research equipment be designed to withstand?
Enormous water pressure
How do whales handle high pressure changes?
Their bodies are more flexible
What allows whales to dive deeper than humans?
Stronger lungs
Fill in the blank: The atmosphere is a layer of gases called _______.
air
True or False: Air pressure is felt strongly at the water’s surface.
False
What is the relationship between air density and air pressure?
Greater density leads to greater air pressure
What is the approximate pressure increase in atmospheres for every 10 meters (30 feet) of depth in the ocean?
1 atmosphere
What happens on a sunny day regarding air and clouds?
The sun heats the land, which heats up the air above it, causing the warm air to rise and form cumulus clouds.
What are cumulus clouds commonly referred to as?
Fair weather clouds.
Do cumulus clouds generally produce rain?
No.
What indicates the formation of cumulonimbus clouds?
Cumulus clouds growing bigger and rising higher.
What are cumulonimbus clouds also known as?
Thunderstorm clouds.
When are cumulonimbus clouds most common?
In the summer.
Describe the shape of cumulonimbus clouds.
They are often flat-topped with sharp edges near the ground and wispy edges higher up.
Where do cirrus clouds form?
Very high in the sky.
What are cirrus clouds made of?
Ice crystals.
What shape can cirrus clouds take when carried by wind?
A hooked shape.
What does it mean if cirrus clouds get low and thick?
A warm front may be coming.
What occurs at a warm front?
Warm air rises over cold air, leading to cloud formation.
What is stratus cloud characterized by?
A low sheet of clouds covering the sky.
How do stratus clouds form?
By air slowly rising or when wet air moves over cold land or sea.
What is a fun fact about stratus clouds?
Stratus is the same as fog.
Where are lenticular clouds typically found?
Near mountains.
How do lenticular clouds form?
As air is blown up and over mountaintops.
What happens to the air after it passes over the mountain?
It sinks back down and warms, causing the cloud to evaporate.
Describe the Kelvin-Helmholtz cloud.
It looks like ocean waves and is formed by air masses moving at different speeds.
What do Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds help us visualize?
How air is moving over our heads.
True or False: Stratus clouds are thick and bring heavy rain.
False.
Fill in the blank: Cumulonimbus clouds indicate _______ is on the way.
heavy rain.
