1. ATMOSPHERE AND WEATHER Essential Questions

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
SC.912.E.7.5: Predict future weather conditions based on present observations and conceptual models and recognize limitations and uncertainties of such predictions
SC.912.E.7.6: Relate the formation of severe weather to the various physical factors
SC.912.P.10.18: Explore the theory of electromagnetism by comparing and contrasting the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of wavelength, frequency, and energy, and relate them to phenomena and applications

3. What Are the Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere?
The Earth’s atmosphere can be divided up into five layers based on temperature and composition.
Each layer plays an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate.
Use the link below to learn about the different layers and their unique characteristics, then take the quiz to see what you learned.

4. What is the Ozone Layer and Why is it Important?
Layer in the Earth’s Stratosphere that contains large amounts of ozone, electrified oxygen molecules.
This layer protects the Earth from harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Unfortunately, harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere have damaged the ozone layer.
Use the link below to learn how the ozone layer works and how we can protect it.

5. What Causes the Aurora Borealis?
The aurora borealis is the result of collisions between gas particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere and charged particles carried from the sun by solar winds. 
Use the link below to watch how the Earth’s magnetic shield protects the planet from solar storms, creating the auroras.
(open in Google Chrome)

6. What are Wind Systems and What are the Factors that Affect Them?
Wind systems are the horizontal movement of air in response to air pressure.
Air moves from high pressure to low pressure.
In addition to air pressure, wind is also influenced by temperature, water vapor and latitude.
Use the link below to watch a video that explains wind systems and the factors that affect them; then take the quiz to see how much you learned.

7. What is the Difference Between Climate and Weather?
Weather is the atmospheric conditions at a certain place at a certain time.
Weather is constantly changing hour to hour, minute to minute
Climate is atmospheric conditions over a long period of time.
Climate is usually based on data (weather patterns) collected over a period of time
What is the Difference Between Climate and Weather?

8. What is the Difference Between Climate and Weather?
Use the link below to learn about the difference between weather and climate, then take the quiz to see what you learned.

9. What are Jet Streams and How Do They Affect Weather?
Jet streams are “rivers” of air that flow several miles above the Earth.
The streams act as boundaries between cold and warm air; their position affects temperature and rainfall in the areas both north and south of the boundary.
Changes in jet stream positions can cause extreme weather.
Use the link below to learn about jet streams, wind systems and fronts.

10. What are Air Masses and How Do They Create Fronts?
An air mass is a large body of air that have
the same temperature and moisture throughout.
When a cold air mass meets with a warm air mass, they form a front.
This is similar to what we have learned about convection, wind is caused by uneven heating and cooling of the Earth’s surface.
Cold fronts form as cold air masses move into a warm air mass.
Warm fronts form as cold air masses retreat and warm air masses move into them.
Use the link below to learn about air masses and fronts; take the quiz to see what you have learned.

11. How do Clouds Form?
Clouds are formed when warm humid air rises into the cooler region of the stratosphere, cools and then expands to form tiny water droplets.
Use the link below to learn about how clouds form and the various types of clouds.

12. What is Precipitation?
There are various forms of precipitation, but all forms are developed in clouds.
The type of precipitation a cloud produces is determined by the temperature of the air below the cloud.
Use the link below to learn how the various types of precipitation form.

13. How Does Lightning Form?
Lightning is an atmospheric discharge of electricity.
Most lightning bolts form below a thundercloud, however, some electrical strikes, called sprites, form above the cloud.
Use the link below to learn how lightning is formed.

14. How Do Severe Thunderstorms Generate Tornadoes?
Tornados are fast, rotating columns of air that form inside severe thunderstorms called supercells.
Updrafts of warm air and lots of moisture can create a vortex, or large tube of spinning air in the cloud.
In certain conditions, a cooler downdraft forms and causes the vortex to spin even faster, which causes the entire cloud to spin.
If the tip of the cloud touches land, it becomes a tornado.
Use the link below to learn how tornadoes form.

15. How do Hurricanes Form?
Hurricanes can only form over the ocean when water temperatures are 80° F or above.
They form near the equator where light winds allow the storm system to increase in size.
Use the link below to learn how hurricanes form.

16. What is the Structure of a Hurricane?
Hurricanes have very defined structures.
At the center of every hurricane is an “eye,” which is the calm part of the storm.
The eyewall has the strongest winds of the storm.
Use the link below to learn about the structure of a hurricane and its effects.

17. What is Meteorology? Meteorology is the study of weather.
Meteorologists, people who study weather, try to make forecasts, or predictions, of future weather conditions.
Use the link below to learn about the history of meteorology and the various instruments used to study weather.

18. What do the Symbols on a Weather Map Mean?
Weather maps use symbols to indicate areas of high pressure (H), low pressure (L), various fronts and barometric pressure (isobars) in which strong winds are represented by the closeness of isobars.
Use the link below to learn about the various symbols used on a weather map.