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Climate refers to the day-to-day atmospheric conditions at a specific place.
Climate refers to the day-to-day atmospheric conditions at a specific place.
False
The climate system consists of five components including the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
The climate system consists of five components including the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
True
Weather includes long-term trends in temperature and precipitation.
Weather includes long-term trends in temperature and precipitation.
False
Humidity is a component of both climate and weather.
Humidity is a component of both climate and weather.
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Climate may include phenomena such as thunderstorms and blizzards.
Climate may include phenomena such as thunderstorms and blizzards.
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Precipitation is solely associated with weather and does not play a role in climate.
Precipitation is solely associated with weather and does not play a role in climate.
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Weather is mainly concerned with average conditions over an extended period.
Weather is mainly concerned with average conditions over an extended period.
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Wind velocity is a crucial factor in determining climate.
Wind velocity is a crucial factor in determining climate.
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Winds blowing from the sea generally bring dry weather to the coast.
Winds blowing from the sea generally bring dry weather to the coast.
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Mountains tend to receive less rainfall than low lying areas.
Mountains tend to receive less rainfall than low lying areas.
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The higher a place is above sea level, the warmer it generally gets.
The higher a place is above sea level, the warmer it generally gets.
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At the poles, the sun does not set during summer.
At the poles, the sun does not set during summer.
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El Niño causes cooling of the Pacific Ocean's surface water.
El Niño causes cooling of the Pacific Ocean's surface water.
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Tropical, temperate, and polar are the three major climate zones on Earth.
Tropical, temperate, and polar are the three major climate zones on Earth.
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Day length varies significantly at the equator throughout the year.
Day length varies significantly at the equator throughout the year.
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Cold and dry winds from central Europe cause warm and wet conditions in Britain during winter.
Cold and dry winds from central Europe cause warm and wet conditions in Britain during winter.
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Climate is based on short-term weather patterns lasting only a few weeks.
Climate is based on short-term weather patterns lasting only a few weeks.
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The shape of the land, also known as topography, is one of the factors affecting climate.
The shape of the land, also known as topography, is one of the factors affecting climate.
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Temperature at the equator is the same as the temperature at the poles.
Temperature at the equator is the same as the temperature at the poles.
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Coastal areas tend to have more extreme temperature variations compared to inland areas.
Coastal areas tend to have more extreme temperature variations compared to inland areas.
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Warm air at the equator is more dense than cold air at the poles.
Warm air at the equator is more dense than cold air at the poles.
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Ocean currents play a minor role in influencing the climate of the planet.
Ocean currents play a minor role in influencing the climate of the planet.
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The distance from the equator affects the climate of a location.
The distance from the equator affects the climate of a location.
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Global winds blow from the equator to the poles.
Global winds blow from the equator to the poles.
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The Coriolis Effect causes winds to curve towards the left in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Coriolis Effect causes winds to curve towards the left in the Northern Hemisphere.
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The El Niño phenomenon is considered an important factor affecting climate.
The El Niño phenomenon is considered an important factor affecting climate.
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Weather gives a current atmospheric condition over long periods, while climate gives a current condition for days.
Weather gives a current atmospheric condition over long periods, while climate gives a current condition for days.
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A meteorologist solely focuses on studying clouds without considering other atmospheric conditions.
A meteorologist solely focuses on studying clouds without considering other atmospheric conditions.
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Clouds are formed by tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Clouds are formed by tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.
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Inland areas are generally cooler in summer than coastal locations due to less moisture from the sea.
Inland areas are generally cooler in summer than coastal locations due to less moisture from the sea.
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Cumulus, stratus, and cirrus are the three main types of clouds classified by height and appearance.
Cumulus, stratus, and cirrus are the three main types of clouds classified by height and appearance.
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Without clouds, phenomena like rain and thunderstorms would still occur.
Without clouds, phenomena like rain and thunderstorms would still occur.
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Polar air masses are located between 25° and 60° north and south.
Polar air masses are located between 25° and 60° north and south.
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Cold fronts occur when a cold air mass pushes a warm air mass up.
Cold fronts occur when a cold air mass pushes a warm air mass up.
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Warm fronts can result in heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Warm fronts can result in heavy rain and thunderstorms.
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Stationary fronts occur when two air masses do not move.
Stationary fronts occur when two air masses do not move.
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The term 'front' was coined by the American physicist Vilhelm Bjerknes.
The term 'front' was coined by the American physicist Vilhelm Bjerknes.
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Frontal zones are typically associated with stable weather conditions.
Frontal zones are typically associated with stable weather conditions.
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Occluded fronts form when a warm air mass is undercut by two cold air masses.
Occluded fronts form when a warm air mass is undercut by two cold air masses.
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Maritime air masses are located over the continents.
Maritime air masses are located over the continents.
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Cumulonimbus clouds are classified as high-level clouds.
Cumulonimbus clouds are classified as high-level clouds.
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Nimbostratus clouds belong to the low-level cloud category.
Nimbostratus clouds belong to the low-level cloud category.
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Humidity refers to the temperature of a body of air.
Humidity refers to the temperature of a body of air.
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Relative humidity compares the current water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor the air could hold.
Relative humidity compares the current water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor the air could hold.
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A front is the boundary between two air masses that mix easily.
A front is the boundary between two air masses that mix easily.
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Cirrus clouds are low-level clouds.
Cirrus clouds are low-level clouds.
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It takes a week or more for an air mass to form.
It takes a week or more for an air mass to form.
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Warm air masses are denser than cold air masses.
Warm air masses are denser than cold air masses.
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Study Notes
Weather and Climate Overview
- This module is for 6th-grade MS science.
- The Sicily Isles (Great Britain) have warm weather most of the year, while Newfoundland (Canada) has cold winters.
- Differences in climate at similar latitudes are due to the Gulf Stream transporting heat.
- Climate is the average weather over a 30-year period, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity.
- Weather is the current atmospheric conditions.
Essential Questions
- How does temperature affect weather?
- How does unequal heating of land and water form global wind systems?
- How do I demonstrate the differences in absorption and loss of heat between land and water?
- What are the causes of weather events like tornados, hurricanes, and thunderstorms?
- How can moisture evaporation from the ocean relate to weather patterns and events?
Key Terms
- Atmosphere: Mixture of gases surrounding Earth.
- Air pressure: Weight of air pressing down on a surface area.
- Troposphere: Bottom layer of Earth's atmosphere.
- Stratosphere: Layer of the atmosphere containing ozone.
- Mesosphere: Layer where most meteors burn up.
- Thermosphere: Outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere.
- Radiation: Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.
- Conduction: Transfer of thermal energy due to particles colliding.
- Thermal energy: Total energy of motion in molecules.
- Convection: Transfer of thermal energy through liquids and gases.
- Global warming: Increase in Earth's average temperature.
- Greenhouse effect: Process where gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
- Temperature: Average kinetic energy of molecules.
- Global winds: Winds blowing steadily over long distances.
- Local winds: Winds blowing over short distances.
- Coriolis effect: Earth's rotation causing winds to curve.
- Water cycle: Natural process of water moving through the atmosphere.
- Jet stream: High-speed current of air in the atmosphere.
- Humidity: Amount of water vapor in the air.
- Relative humidity: Ratio of actual water vapor to the maximum amount possible.
- Evaporation: Change of liquid water to water vapor.
- Condensation: Change of water vapor to liquid water.
- Cumulus: Fluffy, rounded clouds.
- Stratus: Flat, layered clouds.
- Cirrus: Wispy, feathery clouds.
- Barometer: Instrument measuring air pressure.
- Meteorologist: Scientist studying the atmosphere and weather.
- Precipitation: Water falling from the atmosphere (rain, snow, etc).
- Air mass: Large body of air with similar temperature and humidity.
- Front: Boundary between two air masses.
- Climate: Average weather patterns over a long period.
- Heat: Transfer of thermal energy.
- Tornado: Rotating column of air.
- Hurricane: Large, spiraling storm system.
Atmospheric Layers (Diagram on page 5)
- Exosphere: outermost layer, merges with outer space
- Thermosphere: Extremely hot, high-energy layer, Auroras occur
- Mesosphere: Coldest layer, meteors burn up
- Stratosphere: Ozone layer, jets fly
- Troposphere: Contains most of Earth's air, weather occurs
Earth's Atmosphere
- Composed of Gases (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Water Vapor, etc.)
- Protects Earth from solar radiation.
- Traps heat (Greenhouse effect)
Weather and Climate Differences
- Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions.
- Climate: Long-term average weather conditions, typically over 30 years.
Factors Affecting Climate
- Distance from the Equator
- Ocean Currents
- Direction of Prevailing Winds
- Shape of the land (Topography)
Types of Precipitation (Rain, Sleet, Freezing Rain, Hail, Snow)
- Rain: Water droplets greater than 0.5mm.
- Sleet: Small ice particles that form when rain freezes.
- Freezing rain: Rain that freezes on contact with a surface.
- Hail: Hardened ice balls formed in thunderstorms.
- Snow: Ice crystals formed by the freezing of water vapor in clouds.
Weather Patterns
- Predicting weather patterns is important as weather affects daily life.
Safety Measures For Storms
- Thunderstorms: Seek shelter indoors, avoid contact with metal objects.
- Tornadoes: Seek shelter in a basement or lowest level of a building.
- Hurricanes: Evacuate or seek shelter indoors, away from windows.
Weather Forecasting
- Meteorologists: Scientists who predict weather.
- Weather Forecasts: Predictions of weather conditions over the next 3-5 days.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of weather and climate for 6th-grade MS science students. It addresses the differences between weather and climate, the role of the Gulf Stream, and factors influencing weather patterns. Students will also explore key terms and processes related to atmospheric conditions.
