Science Today’s goal: prepare for the unit test Entry task: Moon phases Agenda: Moon phases Review sheet jeopardy

Moon phases

Weather and Climate Review Storms are created by a very large system. We will be looking at the role of the major parts of the system and thinking about what might happen if the major parts were to change for some reason. Bodies of Water Landforms The Sun Atmosphere Earth

The Sun The sun is like the engine for weather. The sun's uneven heating of the earth's surface results in all the weather on earth. The sun’s energy is transferred to the Earth by radiation. The sun’s electromagnetic radiation spreads out in all directions. When the sun’s electromagnetic energy interacts with matter the molecules vibrate generating heat. Some of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the atmosphere, and some passes through to the Earth's surface.

The Earth The shape of the Earth affects climate. Because of the Earth’s rotation air in the atmosphere does not flow in a straight line. (Coriolis Effect) Because of the Earth’s spherical shape the equator and the poles are not heated evenly. The Earth’s rotation has a big effect on some storms, hurricanes. Near the poles sunlight that reaches the earth’s surface has to pass through more atmosphere than at the equator.

The Surfaces – Sand, Soil, Water, Mountains, Plains, Glaciers, Earth’s surfaces heat unevenly. Water Absorb and release heat much slower than landforms. The sun heats large bodies of water and the water absorbs the heat from the sun. The heat mixes throughout the large body of water, so it takes a long time to heat up and a long time to cool down. Water which heats and cools very slowly and can hold its heat has a high specific heat capacity. Plays a key role in the formation of Hurricanes. Land Absorb and reflect heat differently based on the composition, texture, color, content of the landform. The heat doesn’t usually go that deep and stays on the surface of the land so the land heats quickly and cools quickly. Soil which can’t hold its heat has a low specific heat capacity. Surfaces of the Earth transfer their heat to the air and then the air warms up.

Atmosphere - Wind Weather happens in the troposphere. The atmosphere moves heat and water around the globe. Weather happens in the troposphere. The mixing of air in our atmosphere (convection) creates wind. Air always moves from areas of High pressure to areas of Low pressure. Warmer air rises and cools. Cooler air sinks and warms up. (density) This is known as convection. Air masses take on the characteristics of the surface it forms over. Since there is a cool moist ocean near the Pacific Northwest, the air masses here are typically cool and moist. An air mass is a large body/pocket/bubble/chunk/etc. of air that has similar temperature and moisture (water). Storms tend to form at weather front -boundary between different air masses.

Water – water vapor The Suns energy drives the water cycle When warm air masses rise it creates low atmospheric pressure. The air cools down; the molecules move more slowly, the water molecules condense onto dust particles making clouds. If condensation continues it will start to rain. Radiation from the sun break the bonds of water molecules creating water vapor. When cooler air masses sink it creates high atmospheric pressure., High pressure is associated with fair (nice) weather. Warm rising water vapor over the tropics fuel hurricanes and other tropical storms.