storms review

Question 1

What is a vortex, and what causes it to form?

Answer 1

A vortex is a circulation of liquids or gases that forms because of the uneven heating of the earth, gravity, and the earths rotation

Question 2

How does air above a heated surface move?

Answer 2

Air above a heated surface is less dense, so it rises, and it has lots of movement

Question 3

How does air above a cold surface move?

Answer 3

Air above a cold surface becomes colder and more dense, and it sinks.

Question 4

What happens when hot air meets cold air?

Answer 4

A distinct boundary is formed between them, also known as a front. Fronts can lead to various weather conditions

Question 5

How do hurricanes form?

Answer 5

Hurricanes form when warm, moist air rises over tropical waters

Question 6

How are hurricanes and tornadoes alike?

Answer 6

Both are rotating storms with high wind speeds caused by the uneven heating of the earth and accompanied by rain

Question 7

How are hurricanes and tornadoes different?

Answer 7

A hurricane is much larger and tends to last much longer, while tornadoes are shorter, smaller, and have MUCH higher wind speeds

Question 8

What role does the sun play in the weather on earth?

Answer 8

The sun causes uneven heating of the earth and areas of earth that receive less direct light from the sun have lower temperatures. The land heats up and cools down faster than water, also playing a role in the uneven heating of the earth

Question 9

What is a convection current?

Answer 9

A current consisting of liquids or gases that is formed due to the uneven heating of the earth.

Question 10

In lesson 3, how did you set up your investigation to make it a fair test?

Answer 10

Same
•Amount of soil
•Amount of water
•Light source
•Distance away from light

Question 11

In lesson 3, which heated faster, soil or water?

Answer 11

The soil heated up faster than the water

Question 12

In lesson 3, which held its heat longer, soil or water?

Answer 12

The water held its heat longer

Question 13

What do the soil and water curves look like on the graph from lesson 3?

Answer 13

The soil curve rose up very quickly and came back down very quickly, and the water curve was the opposite. The water curve rose slowly, but took longer to lose its heat

Question 14

What was the temperature of your soil after 5 minutes of heating? (lesson 3)

Answer 14

About 25°

Question 15

What states make up tornado alley?

Answer 15

Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri

Question 16

What causes tornadoes to form in tornado alley?

Answer 16

Cool dry air from the north meets warm moist air from the gulf of Mexico, forming an unstable air mass

Question 17

What is a sea breeze and when does it form?

Answer 17

The land is hotter during the day heating up the air above it, causing it to be less dense and rise. The water is cooler, causing the air above it to be more dense, and sink.

Question 18

Describe the water cycle and how clouds form

Answer 18

Clouds form when water evaporates into the air, gets cold, then condenses into precipitation that falls back down to Earth.

Question 19

In what direction is the weather moving across the United States? How can this help meteorologists?

Answer 19

The weather moves from the west to the east. Meteorologists can use this to predict the weather ahead of time

Question 20

How do some deep ocean currents form?

Answer 20

Cold dense water at the poles sinks and the currents near the equator become less dense and rise to the surface (convection current)

Question 21

How do winds affect ocean water?

Answer 21

The wind blows aside the surface water, allowing the cold water at the bottom to rise (upwelling)

Question 22

How do ocean currents affect temperatures around the world?

Answer 22

Warm ocean currents can warm the air above them and cool ocean currents cool the air down

Question 23

What are the characteristics of a stable and unstable air mass?

Answer 23

Stable air mass:
Temp doesn’t decrease with an increase in altitude.
Unstable air mass:
Temp decreases rapidly with an increase in altitude