weather climate and climate change

Question 1

weather

Answer 1

Weather is the short-term changes in local atmospheric conditions (i.e. from day to day), e.g. rain, cloud cover, etc.

Question 2

Air Temperature

Answer 2

How hot or cold the air is, measured with a thermometer

Question 3

Precipitation

Answer 3

Water falling from the sky in any form (e.g. rain, hail, sleet, snow…), measured using a rain gauge

Question 4

Wind speed

Answer 4

How fast the wind is blowing, measured using an anemometer

Question 5

Wind Direction

Answer 5

The direction that the wind is blowing from, measured using a weather vane

Question 6

Cloud Cover

Answer 6

The amount of clouds in the sky, measured using the Okta Scale

Question 7

Visibility

Answer 7

The distance that can be seen, measured using a Visibility meter

Question 8

Air pressure

Answer 8

Air pressure is the force exerted against a surface by the weight of the air above, measured using a barometer

Question 9

Low Pressure

Answer 9

Air rising from the earth’s surface, creating rainy conditions

Question 10

High Pressure

Answer 10

Air sinking towards the earth’s surface, creating clear conditions

Question 11

Relief rainfall

Answer 11

Rainfall that is formed when moist air is forced to rise over high land

Question 12

Climate

Answer 12

Climate is the average of atmospheric conditions measured over long periods of time

Question 12

Convectional rainfall

Answer 12

Rainfall that is formed when water evaporates rapidly from the earth’s surface

Question 13

Frontal rainfall

Answer 13

Rainfall that is formed when a block of warm air is forced to rise over a block or colder air

Question 14

Climate Graph

Answer 14

A graph that shows both the average rainfall and temperature of a particular place over a year

Question 15

Climate Change

Answer 15

Variations in the long-term average climates around the world

Question 16

Ice cores

Answer 16

Cylinders of ice taken out of ice sheets that can be used to measure climates in the past

Question 17

Orbital theory

Answer 17

The idea created by Milankovitch that states that climate change is naturally caused by the changes in the way Earth moves around the sun

Question 17

Megafauna

Answer 17

Large animals

Question 18

Extinct

Answer 18

No longer in existence

Question 19

Atmosphere

Answer 19

The layer of gases above the surface of the Earth

Question 20

The Greenhouse Effect

Answer 20

The warming effect of the atmosphere on Earth, due to gases such as carbon dioxide and methane trapping heat in the atmosphere

Question 21

The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Answer 21

As above, but specific to greenhouse gases released by human activity

Question 22

Greenhouse gases

Answer 22

Gases that trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, e.g. carbon dioxide

Question 23

Impact

Answer 23

Consequence

Question 24

What happens to water droplets in very cold air?

Answer 24

They may fall as snow, sleet, or hail depending on the air temperature ## Footnote This occurs because the temperature influences the state of water as it precipitates.

Question 25

What is the process by which water vapor condenses into tiny droplets on grass overnight?

Answer 25

Dew formation ## Footnote Dew forms when the air cools overnight, causing water vapor to condense.

Question 26

What causes wind?

Answer 26

The rising of warm air followed by the inflow of cooler air to replace it ## Footnote Wind is essentially moving air resulting from temperature differences.

Question 27

What role does the sun play in weather?

Answer 27

The sun heats the Earth unevenly, which affects air temperature and weather patterns ## Footnote This uneven heating is due to the Earth's round shape, causing different temperatures at the poles and equator.

Question 28

What is the effect of high pressure in summer?

Answer 28

No clouds, strong sun, potential drought ## Footnote High pressure leads to clear skies and can cause drought conditions due to lack of rain.

Question 29

What is convectional rainfall?

Answer 29

Rainfall caused by the ground heating the air, leading to rising and cooling, which forms clouds ## Footnote This type of rainfall is common in the UK during summer inland.

Question 30

What causes relief rainfall?

Answer 30

Air rising over high hills or mountains, cooling, and then precipitating ## Footnote Relief rainfall is common in the UK Highlands where moist air is forced to rise over mountains.

Question 31

What is frontal rainfall?

Answer 31

Rainfall that occurs when warm air meets cold air and is forced to rise ## Footnote This process occurs globally and is characterized by the meeting of different air masses.

Question 32

What characterizes high pressure at the Earth's surface?

Answer 32

Sinking air, sunshine, frost, no precipitation ## Footnote High pressure results in clear skies and stable weather conditions.

Question 33

What does low pressure indicate at the Earth's surface?

Answer 33

Rising air, rain, unsettled weather ## Footnote Low pressure is associated with stormy conditions and precipitation.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The sun heats the Earth but does not heat it _______.

Answer 34

evenly

Question 35

What happens to water vapor when the air rises and cools?

Answer 35

It condenses into clouds ## Footnote This process is crucial for precipitation to occur.

Question 36

What is the consequence of clear skies during winter nights?

Answer 36

The ground cools quickly, causing frost and dew to form ## Footnote This cooling happens because clouds usually trap heat.

Question 37

What type of weather is associated with high pressure?

Answer 37

Clear skies and potential frost ## Footnote High pressure typically leads to stable weather conditions.

Question 38

What type of weather is associated with low pressure?

Answer 38

Rain and stormy conditions ## Footnote Low pressure indicates unsettled weather patterns.