Weather Final Assessment Review Take as many/few notes as you want…OR…find the information that you’ve already written down. 

Ocean currents and global winds (Similarities) Both are caused by changes in density of the fluid – warmer = more loosely packed = rising, cooler = more tightly packed = falling Both are moving heat around the globe via convection Both influence climate – warm ocean currents bring warmer weather and cold ocean currents bring colder weather; low pressure/less dense air rising brings rain and high pressure/more dense air falling brings no rain Both are effected by the Coriolis Effect – causing winds to shift based on rotation, which in turn push surface ocean currents

Air pressure and precipitation (How they work together) As air temperature increases, it holds more water vapor and becomes less dense, which makes it rise away from the surface (Low pressure). As the air rises up, it cools off and the water vapor condenses, which makes clouds and precipitation. As air temperature decreases, the air becomes more dense, which makes it fall to the surface (High pressure). Because the cool air already lost the water vapor, it is dry and there’s no rain. Wind always moves from high pressure to low pressure.

Energy input (For Earth’s sytems) The sun is the major source of energy for Earth’s systems and processes (ocean currents, winds, the water cycle, etc.). We receive solar radiation in the form of light, which is then transformed into thermal energy on contact with the surface of the Earth.

Earth’s systems (And connections) Earth itself is a closed system, as energy is naturally allowed in and out but matter is not. Earth is made up of 4 smaller systems – atmosphere (air surrounding Earth), hydrosphere (water on Earth), geosphere (land and rocks), and biosphere (living things). Energy and matter can be moved through and exchanged between these smaller systems (food webs, photosynthesis, water cycle, heat transfers, etc.).

Water in the atmosphere (Connected to other areas) Influence of wind – water evaporates into warm air and is carried up, condenses and falls; winds that blow off of water carry more water vapor than winds blowing from land Influence of landforms – mountain ranges, as wind blows over mountains it loses water vapor; in the mountains, precipitation may fall as snow Influence of ocean – surface of ocean can warm the air above it, evaporating water into the atmosphere; more evaporation over warm ocean currents/areas

Ocean currents (Density and movement) The density of water in the ocean is based on both temperature and salinity. Surface currents move warmer, less dense water away from the equator and cooler, more dense water back to the equator – and are generally moved by global wind currents. Deep currents (thermohaline) move warmer, less dense water far from the equator toward the poles and colder, more dense and saltier water back toward the equator on a large conveyor belt system.

Weather patterns and climate (Factors effecting) Angle of sunlight and latitude – the closer to the equator (latitude), the more direct the sunlight (angle), the warmer the area Surface materials – sand and soil transfer heat rapidly (heat up and cool down quickly) …extreme temperatures; water transfers heat slowly …moderate temperatures; vegetation absorbs, ice reflects Altitude – the higher you go in the troposphere, the colder it gets (mountains) Geography of landmasses – mountains or plains (as warm air rises to go over mountains, it rains on one side and the dry, cool air falls on the other side)

Heat transfers (Global heat redistribution) Radiation comes in the form of electromagnetic energy (light) from the Sun to the surface of Earth. Surface molecules transform the light into thermal energy. Those molecules transfer the thermal energy to air molecules they come in contact with. The warmed air molecules rise up, cool, and fall back to the surface as the convection cycle.

TIPS Relax … you do know / can explain this information. When you make your model, don’t try to take on the whole globe…just do one continent or large area of land and water. Use your notes…that’s why you took them. Study your notes (power point, reflecting solar radiation worksheet, Earth’s systems worksheet, atmosphere layers graphic, readings in the red book). There are CHALLENGE questions for each standard – try them…you may surprise yourself!