Science Starter: Fill in the blanks

Source Regions and Pressure Systems

Pressure Systems

High Pressure vs. Low Pressure Think about your ears popping! Why do our ears pop? When do our ears pop?

To release pressure! Air moves in pressure systems very similarly to how the air moves when our ears “pop”!

Cold Vs. Warm Cold air Warm air

Pressure Systems Go back and think about the convection cells we created for Global Winds…..

With your partner, figure out the blanks below: Air move from to

High and Low Pressure Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2bMX2RnXE

How does air move?!? Air moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure . High Low

High Vs. Low Pressure How will the air move? How will the air move?

Low pressure causes LIFTING High pressure causes SINKING

Low pressure is caused by WARM RISING AIR High pressure is caused by COLD SINKING AIR Low pressure is caused by WARM RISING AIR

Pressure Systems and Weather What weather is associated with each pressure system? Think about high pressure and low pressure and discuss with your neighbor as to what type of weather you may see with each system.

High and Low Pressure Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HAth0D0Pt4&t=10s

Pressure System Diagram On the next page we will put in an illustration.

So now we can put it all together!

How do pressure systems around the globe impact the climates/environments/biomes we have on Earth?

Pressure Systems vs. Climate

Look at the equator. What pressure system resides along the equatorial latitude? What biome do we see along that latitude? We see: mainly tropical rainforests! Which makes sense! Low pressure systems create moist air and rainy conditions. Exactly what a rainforest environment would be like!

Look at 30 degrees N. What pressure system resides along the 30 degree north latitude? What biome do we see along that latitude? We see: mainly deserts and some grasslands. OMG this makes total sense!!! At 30 degree we have an area of high pressure! High pressure would create dry air. Deserts have VERY LITTLE rainfall. Meaning a high pressure area would be perfect for this type of environment.

Look at 60 degrees N. What pressure system resides along the 60 degree north latitude? What biome do we see along that latitude? We see: mainly both temperate (what we have) and coniferous (pine) forests. Again, OMG science is amazing! At 60 degrees we see there is a low pressure system. This creates moist, wet air with plenty of rain. This makes happy forests!

Look at 90 degrees N. What pressure system resides along the 90 degree north latitude? What biome do we see along that latitude? We see: The tundra and polar ice. BRRRRRRRRRR!! Super chilly!!! These are known as cold deserts. WHAAAATTT?!?!?! I thought deserts were hot! Well, let me tell you that a desert is characterized by the amount of rainfall. The tundra receives very little rainfall along the poles due to this high pressure area.

Pressure and Climate What is the relationship between these two photos?!? Write down this relationship between pressure systems and climate in the spaces provided in your “pressure systems note template” 