UCAR Lesson 1-6

Question 1

Define weather

Answer 1

The atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place

Question 2

Define climate

Answer 2

The atmospheric conditions over a long period of time

Question 3

List the 6 components of weather

Answer 3

• Temperature: Thermometer, Degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius
• Wind: Anemometer, mPh or kPh
• Air Pressure: Barometer, millibars or inches of mercury
• Precipitation: Rain gauge, inches/millimeters of accumulation
• Humidity: Hydrometer, percent
• Clouds: None, none

Question 4

What 2 factors cause water to move from place to place within the water cycle?

Answer 4

Sunlight (radiation) and gravity

Question 5

How does the energy of the sun fuel the water cycle?

Answer 5

When the water in the ocean is heated by the sun it turns into a vapor or a gas through the process of evaporation

Question 6

Describe the role of gravity in the water cycle

Answer 6

Gravity pulls water downhill in the form of runoff. When water droplets get too heavy in the clouds they fall to the ground as precipitation. Aquifers flow downstream to the ocean

Question 7

What is evaporation?

Answer 7

Occurs when the temperature increases and water changes from a liquid to a gas

Question 8

What is condensation?

Answer 8

Occurs when temperature decreases and water changes from a gas to a liquid (cloud formation)

Question 9

What is precipitation?

Answer 9

Occurs when water droplets get too heavy and fall to the ground because of gravity (four types: rain, sleet, snow, hail)

Question 10

What is transpiration?

Answer 10

When plants give off water vapor into the atmosphere

Question 11

What is runoff?

Answer 11

When water flows over land as surface water instead of being absorbed or evaporated

Question 12

What is melting?

Answer 12

Occurs when temperature increases and frozen water changes from a solid to a liquid

Question 13

What is freezing?

Answer 13

Occurs when the temperature decreases and water changes from a liquid to a solid

Question 14

What type of water/air holds more moisture that is good for storms?

Answer 14

Warm air

Question 15

What kind of temperature creates evaporation?

Answer 15

Increasing the temperature

Question 16

What kind of temperature creates condensation?

Answer 16

Decreasing the temperature

Question 17

What is necessary for cloud formation? (List)

Answer 17

• Water source
• Increase in temperature causing evaporation
• Decrease in temperature causing condensation
• Condensation nuclei

Question 18

What happens to the air temperature when you increase in altitude?

Answer 18

Temperature decreases

Question 19

Compare the temperatures of surface temperature and air temperature

Answer 19

Air temperature is always colder than surface temperature

Question 20

How does surface temperature impact air temperature?

Answer 20

If a surface is warm it will warm the air above it. If the surface is cold it will cool the air above it

Question 21

What heat transfer heats the surface?

Answer 21

Radiation (sunlight, thermal energy)

Question 22

What heat transfer heats the air?

Answer 22

Conduction (touch)

Question 23

How does warm air move? Why?

Answer 23

Warm air rises because it is less dense

Question 24

How does cold air move? Why?

Answer 24

Cold air sinks because the air is more dense

Question 25

How do you know when a storm has happened based on temperature?

Answer 25

There is a temperature decrease

Question 26

How do you know when a storm has happened based on humidity?

Answer 26

There is a sudden increase in humidity

Question 27

What type of temperature and humidity is NOT good for a storm?

Answer 27

Rising temperatures and low humidity are not good for a storm

Question 28

What type of temperature and humidity is GOOD for a storm?

Answer 28

Rising temperatures and high humidity are good for a storm

Question 29

Explain the density of warm air

Answer 29

Warm air is less dense and rises. When air is heated it causes the molecules to move around faster and are farther apart. This is low pressure

Question 30

Explain the density of cold air

Answer 30

Cold air is more dense and sinks. When molecules release their energy they start to move slower and are closer together. This is high pressure

Question 31

How do big isolated thunderstorms occur?

Answer 31

Big thunderstorms happen when there's a big difference in temperature in the lower level temperature and the high level

Question 32

Why do isolated thunderstorms happen in the afternoon?

Answer 32

The air near the earth's surface needs to be warm and rise for a storm to form. The sun heats the ground which heats the air