Weather

Question 1

What is the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The envelope of gas that surrounds the planet

Question 2

Why is the atmosphere important?

Answer 2

1. It keeps Earth’s surface warm enough for water to exist as a liquid
2. Protects living things from radiation.
3. Prevents Earth from being hit by meteors.

Question 3

What are the main gasses in our atmosphere?

Answer 3

Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21%, other 1%

Question 4

What gases are found in our atmosphere in trace amounts?

Answer 4

Argon, Helium, Neon, Krypton

Question 5

Compounds in the atmosphere

Answer 5

Water Vapor H2O
Carbon Dioxide CO2
Methane CH4
Sulfur Dioxide SO2

Question 6

How would life on Earth be different without an atmosphere?

Answer 6

Life could not exist.

Question 7

Exosphere

Answer 7

Has no definite limit, blends into outer space. Furthest layer from the Earth.

Unnamed aircraft and satellites are found here

Exo = “outer”

Question 8

Thermosphere

Answer 8

Second furthest layer from Earth. Contains most of the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves. Creates Aurora borealis. Air is thin but HOT!

Home of the international space station

Therm = “hot”

Question 9

Mesosphere

Answer 9

Protects the Earth’s surface from getting hit by meteors

Meso = “middle”

Question 10

Stratosphere

Answer 10

Contains the ozone layer which protects living things from dangerous UV rays. Ozone heats up as it absorbs molecules, this causes the temperature to rise.

Strato = “spread out”

Question 11

Troposphere

Answer 11

This is where weather occurs. As the altitude increases the temperature decreases. (think snow capped mountains)

Tropo = “changing”

Question 12

Two layers of the atmosphere where the temperature decreases as the altitude increases:

Answer 12

Troposphere and mesosphere

Question 13

Two layers of the atmosphere where temperature increases as the altitude increases:

Answer 13

Stratosphere and Thermosphere

Question 14

Weather

Answer 14

Current state of the atmosphere, affected by temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction. Can change minute to minute.

Question 15

Climate

Answer 15

The average weather in a specific area over a long period of time. Affected by latitude, elevation, topography, distance from water, global winds and ocean currents.

Question 16

One of the main causes of weather

Answer 16

Unequal heating of the Earth, some areas receive more energy from the sun than others. Particles always move from hot to cold.

Question 17

Evaporate

Answer 17

water heats up and becomes less dense, changing from a liquid to gas

Question 18

Condense

Answer 18

water cools down and becomes more dense, changing from a gas to a liquid

Question 19

What is the name of the current that flows south along the west coast of the USA?

Answer 19

the cold California Current moves south along the west coast of the United States

Question 20

Which current keeps the winter temperatures in Florida milder than in other parts of the southeastern US?

Answer 20

The Gulf Stream

Question 21

Which direction do most of currents in the northern hemisphere move?

Answer 21

Clockwise

Question 22

Anemometer

Answer 22

tool that measures the speed of the wind

Question 23

Wind Sock

Answer 23

tool used to measure wind speed and direction

Question 24

Wind Vane

Answer 24

Device that indicates the direction of the wind

Question 25

How is low pressure created

Answer 25

Hot/warm, rising air

Question 26

How is high pressure created

Answer 26

cool, sinking air

Question 27

What causes wind

Answer 27

the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun

Question 28

Anemometer