Page: ___��Lesson Opener

Meteorology & Atmosphere

1. Read each statement and then write whether you think it is true or false.
2. Explain in a complete sentence why you think each statement is true or false. For example, explain replacing an underline word.
3. “Think” on your own first, then “pair” with a neighbor, and be prepared to “share” with the whole class.

Directions

1. Condensation is when rain falls down from the sky. Explain:�

False! Condensation are clouds.

2. An example of precipitation is snow. Explain:

True! Precipitation can come in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

3. The exosphere layer of the atmosphere is where weather occurs. Explain:

False! The troposphere is the closest layer to Earth and where weather occurs.

4. It’s hard to breath as you go up in elevation because the air is more dense than at sea-level. Explain:

False! The air gets less dense the higher you go up in elevation.

5. The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place is called the climate. Explain:

False! Climate has to do with the weather patterns over an extended period of time. For example, the tropics is a type of climate.

6. Oxygen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. Explain:

False! Nitrogen makes up 78% of our atmosphere while oxygen only 21%.

7. Wind is caused by differences in weather. Explain:

False! Wind is cause by differences in heating of earth’s surface from the sun.

8. Global winds between 60 north and south latitude and the poles are called the easterlies and blow east to west. Explain:

True! Easterlies are global winds blowing east to west because the Earth is spinning and winds curve.

9. Fronts are clouds that do not mix. When these clouds collide, storms and changeable weather—like rain—occur. Explain:�

False! Fronts are not clouds, but boundaries of air masses. When fronts meet, changeable weather occurs.

10. Thunderstorms occur because clouds collide. Explain:�

False! Thunderstorms occur when a cold front approaches a warm front.

Water Cycle

• The water cycle is a phase water goes through as it moves from land to sky and back. It is driven by energy from the sun.

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Evaporation

1. Water changes into a gas and goes up into the atmosphere known as evaporation. Water evaporates from rivers and oceans.

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Evapotranspiration

2. Water evaporates from plants and goes up into the atmosphere.

Think- Pair- Share:

What can you infer that Evapotranspiration is based on the picture?

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Condensation

3. Warm air carries water vapor (gas) upward. At high altitudes, air tends to become colder. Cold air cannot hold as much water vapor as warm air can, which results in condensation. This is when water changes into liquid water and form clouds and water vapor.

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Precipitation

4. Water in clouds joins together, becomes heavy, then falls to Earth as precipitation in the forms as: rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

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Watershed

• Water moving from a high to low area is known as a watershed. This is where we get our drinking water, use to irrigate or water our crops, and use for recreation like snorkeling.

Infiltration

• Infiltration is when water sinking into soil.

Plant uptake

• Plants absorb water from the ground, which is known as plant uptake.

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Groundwater

• Water sinking below the ground, but moves toward the ocean is known as groundwater.

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Surface runoff

• Water above ground moves toward the ocean is known as surface runoff.

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• Ready: Number 1-5 behind notes
• Go: Write correct letter and mark if incorrect.
• Back: Highlight, add to notes or drawings

Quiz time!

1. The water cycle is driven by what?

A. Sun

B. Currents

C. Wind

D. all of the above

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2. Water evaporates and becomes what?

A. clouds

B. precipitation

C. rain

D. all of the above

3. In which step of the water cycle does water return to Earth’s surface?�

A. Condensation

B. Precipitation

C. Evaporation

D. Evapotranspiration

4. Condensation occurs due to what?��

A. Warm-air falling and cold air cannot hold water vapor

B. Warm-air rising and cold air cannot hold water vapor

C. Cold-air rising and warm air cannot hold water vapor

D. gravity

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5. Which of the following does not happen after precipitation? ��

A. infiltration

B. groundwater

C. surface runoff

D. evapotranspiration

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How does Earth’s water move through the water cycle?

• “Water ___ due to the sun and rises forming ___. Water falls back down as ___(describe the cycle).”

What are some ways water gets taken up?

• “Water gets taken up by plants called ___. It also seeps through the ground… (describe).”

Anticipation Guide: True or False? Strategy: “Think-pair-share”

3. The exosphere layer of the atmosphere is where weather occurs. Explain:

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4. It’s hard to breath as you go up in elevation because the air is more dense than at sea-level. Explain:

Air Pressure

• Air pressure is the force of air molecules pushing on an area.

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• A barometer measures air pressure.

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Altitude

• Altitude is the distance above sea level.

Relationship

• As altitude increases, air pressure decreases. As air pressure decreases, so does air density. This is why it is more difficult to breath at higher altitudes.

Density

• Sea-level air, which is at zero altitude, has the weight of the atmosphere pressing on it. Air pressure is highest at sea level.

Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is a blanket of gases surrounding Earth. Nitrogen makes up most of Earth’s atmosphere. There are four different layers varying according to altitude and temperature changes.

TROPOSPHERE

• The troposphere layer is the atmosphere nearest Earth’s surface and where weather occurs.

STRATOSPHERE

• The stratosphere layer is directly above the troposphere. It contains the ozone layer, which is important in protecting Earth’s living organisms from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

MESOSPHERE

• The mesosphere layer of Earth's atmosphere is directly above the stratosphere. It protects Earth’s surface from being hit by most meteoroids.

THERMOSPHERE

• The thermosphere layer of the atmosphere is above the mesosphere is divided into two layers:
• Ionosphere: gas molecules are electrically charged allowing radio waves.

Exosphere (part of Thermosphere)

• Exosphere: Phone calls and television pictures are relayed by ways of communication using satellites that orbit Earth.

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• Ready: Number 1-5 behind notes
• Go: Write correct letter and mark if incorrect.
• Back: Highlight, add to notes or drawings

Quiz time!

1. Which layer of the atmosphere are where planes fly?

A. Troposphere

B. Stratosphere

C. Mesosphere

D. Thermosphere

E. Exosphere

2. As you increase in altitude, air pressure does what?

A. increase

B. decrease

C. stay the same at any altitude

D. depends on the time of year

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3. Describe how temperature changes as altitude increases in the troposphere.�

A. temperature increases as altitude increases

B. temperature decreases as altitude decreases

C. temperature decreases as altitude increases

D. temperature and altitude remain the same

4. In which atmosphere layer are there satellites allowing you to watch live sports, such as football?�

A. Exosphere

B. troposphere

C. Ionosphere

D. Mesosphere�

5. Why is it harder to breath when you are high up in the mountains?

• Gases become thinner the higher you go up
• Gases become thicker the higher you go up
• The atmospheric layers change
• Air pressure increases

1. Cover: Check back to the unit cover or warm-up
2. After: In the “after” section, state whether true or false based on what was learned.
3. Explain: Be prepared to explain in summary

Anticipation Guide Statements and Answers

3. The exosphere layer of the atmosphere is where weather occurs. Explain:

False! The troposphere is the closest layer to Earth and where weather occurs.

4. It’s hard to breath as you go up in elevation because the air is more dense than at sea-level. Explain:

False! The air gets less dense the higher you go up in elevation.

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How does increasing altitude affect air pressure and density?

• “As altitude increases, air pressure ___ and the density of the gases ___ (describe).”

What are the four main layers of the atmosphere?

• “The atmospheric layer closest to Earth’s surface is ___ (describe).”

What are the characteristics of each layer?

• “The ___ layer ____ (describes).”

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LAB-

Atmosphere Layers

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Anticipation Guide: True or False? Strategy: “Think-pair-share”

5. The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place is called the climate. Explain:

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6. Oxygen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. Explain:

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Electromagnetic Waves

• Nearly all the energy in the Earth’s atmosphere comes from the sun. This energy travels to Earth as electromagnetic waves, which are waves classified according to wavelength, or distance between waves.

Visible Light

• Visible light includes all of the colors you see in a rainbow. Different colors are the result of different wavelengths. For example, red has the longest wavelength and is the reason why it is on the outside of a rainbow.

Non-visible Radiation

• Infrared radiation has wavelengths longer than red light, are not visible, but can be felt as heat.

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Ultraviolet Radiation

• The sun also gives off ultraviolet radiation, which is an invisible form of energy with wavelengths shorter than violet light.

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Weather vs. Climate

• Weather is the condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place.

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Weather vs. Climate

• Climate is the weather conditions of a particular area over an extended period of time.

Composition of Atmosphere

• Earth’s atmosphere is made up of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), carbon dioxide, and other gasses.

• Earth’s atmosphere makes conditions on Earth suitable for living things. It contains oxygen and other gases living things need to survive.

Importance of the Atmosphere

Importance of the Atmosphere

• Living things need warmth and liquid water. By trapping energy from the sun, the atmosphere keeps most of Earth’s surface warm enough for water to exist as a liquid. The atmosphere protects living things from dangerous radiations from the sun.

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Fun Fact!

• Global warming is based on an increase of carbon dioxide.
• Ozone is a part of the atmosphere, which protect Earth from too much ultraviolet radiation.

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• Ready: Number 1-5 behind notes
• Go: Write correct letter and mark if incorrect.
• Back: Highlight, add to notes or drawings

Quiz time!

1. The atmosphere provides all except which of the following.

1. keeps most of Earth’s surface warm
2. protects living things from radiations
3. water to exists as a liquid
4. global warming and cooling

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2. Which gas makes up 21% of our atmosphere?�

A. Carbon dioxide

B. Oxygen

C. Argon

D. Nitrogen

3. Which of the following is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?�

A. mesosphere

B. electromagnetic spectrum

C. oxygen

D. nitrogen

E. methane

4. What type of radiation has wavelengths that are shorter than visible light?�

A. radio waves

B. Microwaves

C. Infrared

D. ultraviolet

5. Which color of the visible light has the longest wavelength?�

A. red

B. purple

C. yellow

D. green

1. Cover: Check back to the unit cover or warm-up
2. After: In the “after” section, state whether true or false based on what was learned.
3. Explain: Be prepared to explain in summary

Anticipation Guide Statements and Answers

5. The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place is called the climate. Explain:

False! Climate has to do with the weather patterns over an extended period of time. For example, the tropics is a type of climate.

6. Oxygen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. Explain:

False! Nitrogen makes up 78% of our atmosphere while oxygen only 21%.

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What is the composition of Earth’s atmosphere?

• “Earth’s atmosphere is composed of ___ (list and describe).”

How is the atmosphere important to living things?

• “The atmosphere provides ___ (describe).”

In what forms does energy from the sun travel to Earth?

• “Energy from the sun travels to Earth in

the form of ___, which are ___ (describe).”

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Wind

• Wind is air in motion. It is caused by the uneven heating of the surface of the earth caused by the sun.

Local Breeze

• Local winds are unequal heating of Earth’s surface within a small, local area.

Sea Breeze

• A sea breeze occurs at night, cooler air moves from the land to the sea.

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Land Breeze

• A land breeze occurs during the day, cool air moves from the sea to the land, creating a sea breeze.

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Global Wind

• Global winds are also created by the unequal heating of Earth’s surface. However, global winds occur over a large area. Because Earth is rotating, global winds do not follow a straight path.

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Coriolis Effect

• Earth’s rotation makes winds curve known as the Coriolis Effect. In the Northern Hemisphere, global winds curve to the right (west). In the Southern Hemisphere, global winds curve to the left (east).

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Global Wind Belts

• The major global winds belts are the trade winds, the polar easterlies, and the prevailing westerlies.

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Latitude

• Latitude is distance from the equator, measured in degrees separating the global winds.

Trade Winds

• The trade winds blow east to west between the equator and 30 degrees north and south latitude.

Westerlies

• The westerlies blow west to east between 30 degrees and 60 north and south latitude.

Easterlies

• The easterlies blow east to west between 60 north and south latitude and to the poles (90 degrees North and South of the equator).

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• Ready: Number 1-5 behind notes
• Go: Write correct letter and mark if incorrect.
• Back: Highlight, add to notes or drawings

Quiz time!

1. This type of wind blows between the equator and 30 degrees north and south latitude.�

A. jet winds

B. trade winds

C. easterlies

D. Westerlies

2. Wind is the horizontal movement of air caused by what?��

A. differences in uneven heated air

B. differences in altitude

C. differences in weather

D. difference between night and day

3. This type of wind blows between 60 north and south latitude and the poles (90 degrees North and South of the equator). ��

A. jet winds

B. trade winds

C. easterlies

D. Westerlies

4. Trade winds blow from what to what?

1. East to west
2. West to East
3. North to South
4. South to North

5. Sea breeze occur when and blow how?

1. Night, from ocean to land
2. Day, from ocean to land
3. Night, from land to ocean
4. Day, from land to ocean

1. Cover: Check back to the unit cover or warm-up
2. After: In the “after” section, state whether true or false based on what was learned.
3. Explain: Be prepared to explain in summary

Anticipation Guide Statements and Answers

7. Wind is caused by differences in weather. Explain:

False! Wind is cause by differences in heating of earth’s surface from the sun.

8. Global winds between 60 north and south latitude and the poles are called the easterlies and blow east to west. Explain:

True! Easterlies are global winds blowing east to west because the Earth is spinning and winds curve.

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What causes winds?

• “Winds are caused by…”

How do local winds and global winds differ?

• “Local/Global winds include ___ (list) and blow from ___ (describe).”

Where are the major global winds located?

• “___ (list) is a global wind found ___ latitude and blow (direction).”

Anticipation Guide: True or False? Strategy: “Think-pair-share”

9. Fronts are clouds that do not mix. When these clouds collide, storms and changeable weather—like rain—occur. Explain:

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• Thunderstorms occur because clouds collide. Explain:

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Weather

• Weather is a mix of events happening in a specific area occurring each day due to changes in air pressure.

Air Pressure

• Wind is air molecules in motion moving from areas of high pressure to low pressure.

High Air Pressure

• When air pressure is high, skies are blue and clear. Air flows down and fans out.

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Air flow

Low Air Pressure

• When air pressure is low, air moves air up and cools forming clouds. Low pressure days might result in rain or other forms of precipitation.

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L

Air flow

Air Masses

• Air in motion carries characteristics of its region depending on its temperature, altitude, and humidity. These are called air masses.

Fronts

• Fronts are boundaries between air masses which do not mix. When air masses meet at a front, the collision causes storms and changeable weather.

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Cold front

Cold fronts occur when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass. Cold front causes the warm air to raise and cool forming clouds. Possibly storms with heavy precipitation like thunderstorms can occur.

Warm front

Warm fronts occur when a warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass. The warm air raises and then cools forming clouds. Light precipitation are a result.

Occluded front

Occluded fronts occur when a warm air mass is caught between two cold air masses. The colder, drier air moves in to replace the cooler air above the warm front. Clouds and precipitation are a result.

Stationary front

Stationary fronts occur when a cold and warm meet and neither is advancing. If both air masses are dry, no rain will occur. If there is a lot of water vapor in the warm air front, precipitation will occur.

Fun Fact!

• Radars and Weather maps are used to locate fronts with probabilistic ranges.
• Things to observe and identify fronts:
• temperature changes
• changes in moisture content
• wind shift
• pressure changes
• cloud and precipitation patterns

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• Ready: Number 1-5 behind notes
• Go: Write correct letter and mark if incorrect.
• Back: Highlight, add to notes or drawings

Quiz time!

1. Identify this front and the kind of weather it probably will bring.��

A. Cold front; A sunny day awaits

B. Warm front; Possible storms with heavy Rain

C. Warm front; A sunny day awaits

D. Cold front; Possible storms with heavy Rain

2. A large volume of air that has nearly the same temperature and humidity at different locations at the same altitude is called what?�

A. front

B. air pressure

C. air mass

D. density differences

3. An area with high pressure will result in what possible weather?

1. High winds
2. High humidity and winds
3. Clear, blue skies
4. Rain or other precipitation

4. A warm front colliding with a cold front with water vapor in the warm front results in what type of weather?�

A. clear, sunny day

B. Possible storms with heavy Rain

C. A quick downpour

D. Rain until another air mass advances

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5. All of the following statements are true except which?

1. Front are boundaries of air masses
2. Fronts mix with air masses
3. Air masses carry a variety of humidity, temperature and air pressure.
4. Air moves from areas of high to low pressure

1. Cover: Check back to the unit cover or warm-up
2. After: In the “after” section, state whether true or false based on what was learned.
3. Explain: Be prepared to explain in summary

Anticipation Guide Statements and Answers

9. Fronts are clouds that do not mix. When these clouds collide, storms and changeable weather—like rain—occur. Explain:�

False! Fronts are not clouds, but boundaries of air masses. When fronts meet, changeable weather occurs.

10. Thunderstorms occur because clouds collide. Explain:�

False! Thunderstorms occur when a cold front approaches a warm front.

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How do air masses flow from areas of high pressure to low pressure causing a change in weather?

• “Air moves from ___ (describe).”

How does the weather change as a result of different air masses colliding?

• “When a ___ front meets/overtakes a ___ front, ___ weather occurs (describe).”

How can the weather be predicted within probabilistic ranges?

• “By observing ___ (list), weather can be

predicted within probabilistic ranges.”