Earth’s Atmosphere

1. Earth’s Atmosphere Chapter #2 Weather Patterns The BIG Idea: Some features of weather have predictable patterns.

2. 2.1 Warm-up Questions Match the word with the definition. DensityAtmosphereAltitude 1. The distance above sea level. 2. The amount of mass in a given volume of a substance. 3. The whole layer of the air that surrounds the earth.

3. 2.1 Air Pressure Changes I. Air Pressure – the force of air molecules pushing on an area. A. more force = more pressure B. air pressure = from all directions C. decreases as you move higher

5. D. barometer – instrument that measures air pressure

6. E. Air moves from an area of high pressure to low pressure Area of High Pressure Area of Low Pressure

7. 2.2 Warm - Up Questions • True or False? • Differences in pressure cause the horizontal Movement of air. • Air pressure and air density increase with altitude. • The Sun supplies most of Earth’s energy.

8. 2.2 Wind Patterns II. Weather – the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place A. Wind - air that moves parallel to the ground 1. Moves from area of high to low pressure

9. a.) b.)

10. B. Global Winds – travel long distances in steady patterns over several weeks.

11. 1. Calm Regions a. Doldrums – low pressure zone near equator b. Horselatitudes high pressure zones located 30 degrees north and south of the equator.

12. 2. Wind Belts– pattern ofair movement a. Trade winds – blow from the east, from horse latitudes toward the equator. b. Westerlies – blow from the west, from horse latitudes toward the poles. c. Easterlies – blow from the east, from polar regions to mid-latitudes

13. C. Coriolis Effect – influence of the earth’s rotation causing global winds to turn.

14. D. Jet Stream – wind that flows in the upper troposphere from west to east over vast distances at great speeds.

15. 1. Polar Jet Stream- closer to the poles, brings in cold air 2. Subtropical Jet Streams – closer to equator, brings in warm air

16. 1. Sea breeze – during the day, warm air rises over land, cool air blows in from the sea E. Local Winds – blow within small areas

17. 2. Land Breeze - at night, warm air rises over the water, cooler air blows out from the land.

18. 3. Valley Breezes- during the day, warm air flows up mountains 4. Mountain Breezes- at night, cool air sinks into the valley

19. 5. Monsoons – winds that change directions with the seasons

20. 2.3 & 2.4 Warm Up Questions • Does wind move horizontally or vertically? • Does warm air rise or sink? • Does air move from low to high pressure areas or high to low? • What does the Coriolis effect cause winds to do? • What is the vocabulary word that means liquid or solid water that falls to the Earth’s surface? • What is the vocabulary word the means the process by which a gas changes into a liquid?

21. 2.3 & 2.4Cloud Formation/Precipitation I. Clouds – tiny water droplets that condense from water vapor in rising air.

22. A. Evaporation – liquid changes into a gas B. Condensation – gas (water vapor) changes into liquid

23. C. Precipitation – any type of liquid or solid the falls to earth’s surface. Sleet Hail Rain Snow Freezing Rain

24. What is happening at each number?

25. D. Humidity – amount of water vapor in the air. 1. Saturated – when evaporation and condensation are equal.

26. E. Relative Humidity – comparison amount of water vapor to max. amt. that can be present at a certain temp.

27. F. Dew Point – temp. at which air with a given amt. of water vapor will reach saturation

28. A. Cirrus- means “curl of hair”, feathery and wispy. II. 3 Types of Clouds

29. B. Cumulus – “heap” or “pile”, can grow very tall

30. C. Stratus – “spread out”, form flat layers.

31. 1. Nimbo- or nimbus – produces precipitation Nimbostatus

32. 2. Alto- medium altitude Altostratus Altocumulus

33. Cirrostratus

35. 3. Fog- cloud that rests near earth surface. a. Forms when the surface is colder than the air above