How do people with arthritis know when it’s going to rain?

Aim: How does air pressure affect the weather? Topic: Unit 6 Meteorology Topic: Unit 6 Meteorology Main Idea: Barometric pressure Main Idea: Barometric pressure

1) What is a barometer? It is an instrument that measures air pressure. It is an instrument that measures air pressure.

2) What causes air pressure? The weight of the air molecules in the atmosphere above us. The weight of the air molecules in the atmosphere above us.

3) On a standard day, what is the atmospheric pressure at sea level? It is mb (millibars) or inches of mercury (“Hg) or 14.7 psi. It is mb (millibars) or inches of mercury (“Hg) or 14.7 psi.

Temperature Higher temperature =lower pressure Higher temperature =lower pressure Molecules spread out so there is less pressure Molecules spread out so there is less pressure

Moisture More moisture = less pressure More moisture = less pressure Water molecules are lighter than air molecules (they replace air molecules) Water molecules are lighter than air molecules (they replace air molecules) Falling barometer = more moisture Falling barometer = more moisture

Altitude As altitude increases, air pressure decreases As altitude increases, air pressure decreases The air molecules are farther apart at high altitudes The air molecules are farther apart at high altitudes

5) Low Pressure Low (Oh, No!!) Low (Oh, No!!) Storm conditions Storm conditions Warm, lots of moisture Warm, lots of moisture

5) High Pressure High rhymes with Dry High rhymes with Dry Cool, clear day Cool, clear day Very little clouds Very little clouds

How can we predict a change by looking at a barometer? Falling barometer= storm approaching Falling barometer= storm approaching Rising barometer= cool, clear weather Rising barometer= cool, clear weather

6) Convert these pressures: A) inches A) inches B) 978 mb B) 978 mb C) inches C) inches D) 1019 mb D) 1019 mb 1021 mb inches 1007 mb inches

Do Now 1. What is the most abundant element in the earth's atmosphere? A) Argon. B) Carbon dioxide. C) Nitrogen. D) Oxygen 1. What is the most abundant element in the earth's atmosphere? A) Argon. B) Carbon dioxide. C) Nitrogen. D) Oxygen 2. Which layer of the atmosphere has the highest density of gas molecules? A) Mesosphere. B) Stratosphere. C) Thermosphere. D) Troposphere 2. Which layer of the atmosphere has the highest density of gas molecules? A) Mesosphere. B) Stratosphere. C) Thermosphere. D) Troposphere 3. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer? A) Mesosphere. B) Stratosphere. C) Thermosphere. D) Troposphere. 3. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer? A) Mesosphere. B) Stratosphere. C) Thermosphere. D) Troposphere. 4. What frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are absorbed by the earth's ozone layer? A) Infrared light. B) Microwaves. C) Ultraviolet light. D)Visible light. 4. What frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are absorbed by the earth's ozone layer? A) Infrared light. B) Microwaves. C) Ultraviolet light. D)Visible light. 5. In which layer do virtually all weather phenomena take place? A) Mesosphere. B) Stratosphere. C) Thermosphere. D) Troposphere. 5. In which layer do virtually all weather phenomena take place? A) Mesosphere. B) Stratosphere. C) Thermosphere. D) Troposphere.