Chapter 6 – Water Cycle and Weather 4 th Grade – Kristi Goggans Earth Science – Unit B

Chapter 6 – Water Cycle and Weather Think About It Question: How does Earth’s WATER AFFECT WEATHER?

Evaporation The change from liquid water to water vapor

Condensation The process of water vapor, a gas, changing to a liquid

Precipitation Any form of water falling from the air to Earth’s surface

Humidity The amount of water vapor in the air

Front The boundary across which two different air masses touch another

Meteorologist A scientist who studies and measures weather conditions

Barometer A tool that measures air pressure

Anemometer A tool that measures wind speed

Wind Vane A tool that shows the direction from which the wind is blowing

How much of Earth’s surface is water? 3/4 1/2 1/3

Contrast the water in oceans with fresh water. Ocean water is warmer than fresh water Fresh water has dissolved minerals and oceans do not Oceans are salty and fresh water is not

Why is the Baltic Sea less salty than other seas? Deserts surround the Baltic Sea Many rivers flow into the Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is in a warm place

What is the Sun’s role in the water cycle? Water condenses when it is warmed by the Sun The Sun makes water particles slow down Water evaporates in the Sun’s warmth

What happens when moist air rises? The moist air is able to store even more water as it rises The moist air cools, and the water vapor condenses into clouds The moist air cools and is able to store more precipitation

What is condensation? Water Vapor becoming liquid water as it cools Rain becoming ice when it cools Ice becoming liquid water as it warms

What do the curving lines on a weather map show? Areas where high and low temperatures are Areas where low pressure systems are Fronts and how they are moving

What best describes air? A substance with no mass that contains water vapor A force that surrounds Earth The gases that surround Earth’s surface

What happens to air when there is an area of lower pressure nearby? Air that was moving comes to a standstill The water vapor in the air becomes less dense The air moves toward the area of low pressure

Which of these will measure air pressure? Barometer Anemometer Condensation

What is humidity? Air Pressure How strong the wind is The amount of water in the air

Why do you often see clouds along a cold front? The water vapor in the warm air mass cools and condenses into clouds Clouds are left in the warm front Cold air moves above the warm air to form clouds

Which best describes stratus clouds? Low-lying white clouds made of ice crystals Clouds close to the ground that often bring rain or snow High, white and puffy clouds that may appear in good weather