1. Mapping, Climate and Weather
Mapping, Weather and Climate

2. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
On click - images appear ‘Skyscape’, ‘Lightning’, text appears ‘What is the difference between weather and climate?’

3. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Weather is the combination of atmospheric elements, such as temperature, precipitation and humidity, that occur at a specific time and place.
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
On click - text appears ‘Weather is the combination of atmospheric elements, such as temperature, precipitation and humidity, that occur at a specific time and place.’

4. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Climate describes the same atmospheric conditions that have been averaged over a long period – often 30 years or more.
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Text appears ‘Climate describes the same atmospheric conditions that have been averaged over a long period – often 30 years or more.’

5. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Around the planet, a wide range of weather occurs at any given time.
Our weather is caused by different conditions in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
On click - text appears ‘Around the planet, a wide range of weather occurs at any given time. Our weather is caused by different conditions in the Earth’s atmosphere.’, images appear ‘Tropics’, ‘Desert’, ‘Rainy road’,

6. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
The Earth’s atmosphere extends to around 1200 km above the surface. It is the first 50 km of the atmosphere that most affects our weather.
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
On click - text appears ‘The Earth’s atmosphere extends to around 1200 km above the surface. It is the first 50 km of the atmosphere that most affects our weather.’

7. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
There are five layers to Earth’s atmosphere.
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
On click - text appears ‘There are five layers to the Earth’s atmosphere.’, diagram appears ‘Earth’s atmosphere’

8. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
There are five layers to Earth’s atmosphere.
Troposphere
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Troposphere is highlighted on the diagram.
On click - text appears ‘Closest to Earth’s surface where things live. It contains about 50% of the air we breathe. Also contains all the clouds we see and the weather we experience. From sea level up to about 16 km.’
Closest to Earth’s surface where things live. It contains about 50% of the air we breathe, and contains all the clouds we see and the weather we experience. From sea level up to about 16 km.

9. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
There are five layers to Earth’s atmosphere.
Stratosphere
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Stratosphere is highlighted on the diagram.
On click - text appears ‘The air is thinner, because there are fewer gas particles than in the troposphere. Contains a further 40% of our air. No clouds, contains the ozone layer. From above 16 km to about 50 km.’
The air is thinner, because there are fewer gas particles than in the troposphere. Contains a further 40% of our air. No clouds, contains the ozone layer. From above 16 km to about 50 km.

10. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
There are five layers to Earth’s atmosphere.
Mesosphere
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Mesosphere is highlighted on the diagram.
On click - text appears ‘Gas particles become thinner and thinner in this layer. Shooting stars burn up here. From above 50 km to about 80 km.’
Gas particles become thinner and thinner in this layer. Shooting stars burn up here. From above 50 km to about 80 km.

11. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
There are five layers to Earth’s atmosphere.
Thermosphere
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Thermosphere is highlighted on the diagram.
On click - text appears ‘Fewer gas particles and very little effect on Earth’s air. From above 80 km to about 600 km.’
Fewer gas particles and very little effect on Earth’s air. From above 80 km to about 600 km.

12. Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
There are five layers to Earth’s atmosphere.
Exosphere
Weather, mapping and our atmosphere
Exosphere is highlighted on the diagram.
On click - text appears ‘The very outer layer, with only a sprinkling of gas particles, many of which escape to outer space.Above 600 km to just over 1200 km.’
The very outer layer, with only a sprinkling of gas particles, many of which escape to outer space. Above 600 km to just over 1200 km.

13. Heating places on Earth
Solar radiation from the Sun is the main source of Earth’s energy. Without solar radiation, there would be no plant growth and no weather systems.
Heating places on Earth
On click - text appears ‘Solar radiation from the sun is the main source of Earth’s energy. Without solar radiation, there would be no plant growth and no weather systems.’
On click - diagram appears ‘Angles of Sun’s rays to Earth’

14. Heating places on Earth
Different places on Earth receive different amounts of solar radiation – because of Earth’s tilt.
Heating places on Earth
On click - text appears ‘Different places on Earth receive different amounts of solar radiation – because of Earth’s tilt.’

15. Heating places on Earth
Fill in the gaps.
more different Equator poles less
An area on Earth at low latitudes (closer to the _________) receives more heat than the same area at high latitudes (closer to the _______).
This is because the Sun’s rays hit places on Earth at _________ angles.
The more direct the Sun’s rays, the ____ distance they travel through the atmosphere to hit the Earth, and the _____ heat is transmitted.
Equator
poles
Heating places on Earth
On click - text appears ‘Fill in the gaps.’, ‘more, different, Equator, poles, less’
On click - text appears ‘An area on Earth at low latitudes closer to the _________ receives more heat than the same area at low latitudes closer to the _______. This is because the sun’s rays hit places on Earth at _________ angles. The more direct the Sun’s rays, the ____ distance they travel through the atmosphere to hit the Earth, and the _____ heat is transmitted.’
On click - answers appear in order: ‘Equator’, ‘poles’, ‘different’, ‘less’, ‘more’
different
less
more

16. Heating places on Earth
Where on Earth do the Sun’s rays hit most directly? Least directly?
Heating places on Earth
Text appears ‘Where on Earth do the Sun’s rays hit most directly? Least directly?’

17. What happens to solar radiation?
On click - diagram appears ‘Solar radiation’

18. What happens to solar radiation?
Heat is reflected from Earth’s surface, and some is trapped by greenhouse gases in the lower layers of the atmosphere.
The main greenhouse gases are:
• water vapour
• carbon dioxide
• methane
• nitrous oxide
• ozone.
What happens to solar radiation?
On click - text appears ‘Heat is reflected from Earth’s surface, and some is trapped by greenhouse gases in the lower layers of the atmosphere.’
On click - text appears ‘The main greenhouse gases are: water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone.’

19. What happens to solar radiation?
While these gases occur naturally, their levels have been increased by human activities.
Which human activities are thought to contribute most to raising the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Does this situation need to be remedied? Why?
What happens to solar radiation?
On click - text appears ‘While these gases occur naturally, their levels have been increased by human activities.’
On click - text appears ‘Which human activities are thought to contribute most to raising the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?’
On click - text appears ‘Does this situation need to be remedied? Why?’

20. What happens to solar radiation?
This is how a greenhouse works for growing plants.
What happens to solar radiation?
On click - text appears ‘This is how a greenhouse works for growing plants.’
On click - diagram appears ‘Greenhouse’

21. What happens to solar radiation?
This is a simplified diagram of the Greenhouse Effect on Earth.
What happens to solar radiation?
On click - text appears ‘This is a simplified diagram of the Greenhouse Effect on Earth.’, diagram appears ‘Greenhouse Effect’

22. What happens to solar radiation?
How do these diagrams explain the link between the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming?
What happens to solar radiation?
On click - diagrams appear ‘Greenhouse Effect’, ‘Greenhouse’
On click - text appears ‘How do these diagrams explain the link between the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming?’

23. What happens to solar radiation?
Global Warming refers to climate change – what does this mean?
What happens to solar radiation?
Text appears ‘Global Warming refers to climate change – what does this mean?’

24. What happens to solar radiation?
What are the likely impacts of Global Warming on the natural environment, and on human activities like agriculture?
What happens to solar radiation?
Text appears ‘What are the likely impacts of Global Warming on the natural environment, and on human activities like agriculture?’

25. Climate graphs and maps
Temperature and rainfall are the two most common measurements of weather conditions.
Records are kept of these and other measurements, and they provide climatic data.
Weather records and climatic data are kept on all continents, in many different places.
Climate graphs and maps
Image appears ‘Rain gauge’
On click - image appears ‘Thermometer’
On click - text appears ‘Temperature and rainfall are the two most common measurements of weather conditions.’
On click - text appears ‘Records are kept of these and other measurements, and they provide climatic data. Weather records and climatic data are kept on all continents, in many different places.’

26. Climate graphs and maps
This is climatic data for Cairns, in northern Queensland.
Climate graphs and maps
On click - text appears ‘This is climatic data for Cairns, in northern Queensland.’
On click - diagram appears ‘Climate chart - Cairns’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

27. Climate graphs and maps
Mean is the average of a set of measurements.
How is the mean daily temperature calculated?
Answer – Calculate the half-way point between the mean maximum and minimum temperatures.
How is mean monthly rainfall calculated?
Answer – Take an average of the total rainfall received each month of the year, over an extended period of time (e.g. 30 years).
Climate graphs and maps
On click - text appears ‘Mean is the average of a set of measurements.’
On click - question appears ‘How is the mean daily temperature calculated?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Calculate the half-way point between the mean maximum and minimum temperatures.’
On click - question appears ‘How is mean monthly rainfall calculated?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Take an average of the total rainfall received each month of the year, over an extended period of time (e.g. 30 years).’

28. Climate graphs and maps
Does Cairns have a smaller or larger range of temperatures over a year than cities in the southern states of Australia?
Answer – Smaller
Climate graphs and maps
On click - question appears ‘Does Cairns have a smaller or larger range of temperatures over a year than cities in the southern states of Australia?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Smaller’

29. Climate graphs and maps
Cairns has a tropical climate. Does this mean its temperatures are generally warm or cool?
Answer – Warm
Climate graphs and maps
Question appears ‘Cairns has a tropical climate. Does this mean its temperatures are generally warm or cool?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Warm’

30. Climate graphs and maps
Is its rainfall evenly spread or seasonal?
Answer – Seasonal
Climate graphs and maps
Question appears ‘Is its rainfall evenly spread or seasonal?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Seasonal’

31. Rainfall maps
Rainfall maps use isohyet lines and colours to show the ranges of average precipitation in different areas.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
An isohyet is a line on a map that connects places with equal precipitation.
Rainfall maps
On click - map appears ‘Average annual rainfall’
On click - text appears ‘Rainfall maps use isohyet lines and colours to show the ranges of average precipitation in different areas.’
On click - text appears ‘An isohyet is a line on a map that connects places with equal precipitation.’

32. Rainfall maps Name as many forms of precipitation as you can.
Answer – Rain, hail, snow, sleet, mist
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Rainfall maps
Text appears ‘Name as many forms of precipitation as you can.’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Rain, hail, snow, sleet, mist’

33. Rainfall maps
Why aren’t things such as dew, frost and fog classified as forms of precipitation?
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Rainfall maps
Text appears ‘Why aren’t things such as dew, frost and fog classified as forms of precipitation?’

34. Rainfall maps What are the average rainfall ranges used on this map?
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Rainfall maps
Question appears ‘What are the average rainfall ranges used on this map?’

35. Rainfall maps Which parts of Australia receive the most rain?
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Rainfall maps
Question appears ‘Which parts of Australia receive the most rain?’

36. Rainfall maps Which parts of Australia receive the least rain?
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Rainfall maps
Question appears ‘Which parts of Australia receive the least rain?’

37. Rainfall maps Describe the pattern of annual rainfall in Australia.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
Rainfall maps
Question appears ‘Describe the pattern of annual rainfall in Australia.’

38. Temperature maps
Temperature maps use isotherm lines and colours to show the ranges of average temperature in different areas.
Temperature maps
Maps appear ‘Temperature - January’, ‘Temperature - July’
On click - text appears ‘Temperature maps use isotherm lines and colours to show the ranges of average temperature in different areas.’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

39. Temperature maps
An isotherm is a line on a map that connects places of equal temperature.
It can be indicated by a change in colour.
Temperature maps
Text appears ‘An isotherm is a line on a map that connects places of equal temperature. It can be indicated by a change in colour.’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

40. Temperature maps
Why is it informative to have two temperature maps for Australia – one showing January temperatures and one showing July temperatures?
Temperature maps
Text appears ‘Why is it informative to have two temperature maps for Australia – one showing January temperatures and one showing July temperatures?’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

41. Temperature maps Which parts of Australia are hottest in January?
Question appears ‘Which parts of Australia are hottest in January?’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

42. Temperature maps Suggest reasons for this spread of temperatures.
On click - text appears ‘Suggest reasons for this spread of temperatures.’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

43. Temperature maps
Which parts of Australia have the highest temperatures in July?
Temperature maps
On click - question appears ‘Which parts of Australia have the highest temperatures in July?’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

44. Temperature maps
Describe the pattern of temperatures in July, from northern Australia to southern Australia.
Temperature maps
On click - text appears ‘Describe the pattern of temperatures in July, from northern Australia to southern Australia.’
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

45. Weather forecasting
Maps of expected weather conditions appear daily on TV, in newspapers and on the Internet.
This is one type of weather forecasting map:
It summarises expected weather conditions – temperature and rainfall.
Weather forecasting
On click - text appears ‘Maps of expected weather conditions appear daily on TV, in newspapers and on the Internet.’
On click - text appears ‘This is one type of weather forecasting map:’
On click - map appears ‘Australian forecast’
On click - text appears ‘It summarises expected weather conditions – temperature and rainfall.’

46. Weather forecasting
There are two figures shown for each city and town on the map – what do these mean?
Answer – They show the minimum and maximum temperatures for each city or town.
Weather forecasting
Question appears ‘There are two figures shown for each city and town on the map – what do these mean?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – They show the minimum and maximum temperatures for each city or town.’

47. Weather forecasting Which areas have the highest probability of rain?
Answer – The areas shaded the darkest green
Weather forecasting
Question appears ‘Which areas have the highest probability of rain?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – The areas shaded the darkest green’

48. Weather forecasting
What does a lack of shading mean, regarding the probability of rain?
Answer – That there is little or no possibility of rain (less than 10%)
Weather forecasting
Question appears ‘What does a lack of shading mean, regarding the probability of rain?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – That there is little or no possibility of rain (less than 10%)’

49. Weather forecasting
Which three cities or towns are expected to have the lowest minimum temperatures?
Answer – Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide
Weather forecasting
Question appears ‘Which three cities or towns are expected to have the lowest minimum temperatures?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide’

50. Weather forecasting
Which four cities or towns are expected to have the highest minimum temperatures?
Answer – Broome, Darwin, Mt Isa, Rockhampton
Weather forecasting
Question appears ‘Which four cities or towns are expected to have the highest minimum temperatures?’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – Broome, Darwin, Mt Isa, Rockhampton’

51. Synoptic weather maps
A synoptic chart shows the main elements of the weather system at a particular time, such as highs, lows and cold fronts.
Readings of atmospheric measurements are taken at ground level.
Synoptic weather maps
On click - map appears ‘Australian synoptic chart’
On click - text appears ‘A synoptic chart shows the main elements of the weather system at a particular time, such as highs, lows and cold fronts.’
On click - text appears ‘Readings of atmospheric measurements are taken at ground level.’

52. Synoptic weather maps
High is a short way of describing a high pressure cell, where the air pressure increases towards the centre.
Low is a short way of describing a low pressure cell, where the air pressure decreases towards the centre.
Cold front is the boundary where a mass of cold air is replacing warm air, causing a sharp change in temperature.
Synoptic weather maps
On click - text appears ‘High is a short way of describing a high pressure cell, where the air pressure increases towards the centre.’
On click - text appears ‘Low is a short way of describing a low pressure cell, where the air pressure decreases towards the centre.’
On click - text appears ‘Cold front is the boundary where a mass of cold air is replacing warm air, causing a sharp change in temperature.’
On click - text appears ‘Isobars are lines on a synoptic weather map that join places of equal air pressure.’
Isobars are lines on a synoptic weather map that join places of equal air pressure.

53. Synoptic weather maps
Can you see different high and low pressure systems on this synoptic chart?
Where are they?
What other information is shown by the symbols on this synoptic chart?
Synoptic weather maps
On click - text appears ‘Can you see different high and low pressure systems on this synoptic chart?’
On click - text appears ‘Where are they?’
On click - text appears ‘What other information is shown by the symbols on this synoptic chart?’

54. Climate change
Many scientists believe that global warming is Earth’s greatest environmental threat.
The global trend shows increasing temperatures, which could be caused by the Greenhouse Effect.
Climate change
On click - text appears ‘Many scientists believe that global warming is Earth’s greatest environmental threat.’
On click - text appears ‘The global trend shows increasing temperatures, which could be caused by the Greenhouse Effect.’
On click - Images appear ‘Logging’, ‘Winter mountain’, ‘Desert’

55. Climate change What does this graph show?
Answer – The relationship between temperatures and concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over an extended period
Climate change
On click - question appears ‘What does this graph show?’
On click - graph appears ‘Temperature and carbon dioxide’
On click - answer appears ‘Answer – The relationship between temperatures and concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over an extended period’
Source: World Data Center for Paleoclimatology

56. 400 000 carbon dioxide temperature
Climate change
Fill in the gaps.
carbon dioxide temperature
temperature
This graph shows that variations in ____________ have occurred consistently over the past __________ years.
There is a distinct relationship between temperature and levels of _______________ gas in the atmosphere.
Climate change
On click - text appears ‘Fill in the gaps.’
On click - text appears ‘ , carbon dioxide, temperature’
On click - text appears ‘This graph shows that variations in ____________ have occurred consistently over the past __________ years. There is a distinct relationship between temperature and levels of _______________ gas in the atmosphere.’
On click - answers appear in order: ‘temperature’, ‘400,000’, ‘carbon dioxide’
carbon dioxide

57. fossil human atmosphere
Climate change
Fill in the gaps.
fossil human atmosphere
Over the past couple of centuries, carbon dioxide levels in the ____________ have been greater than ever before.
This is because in that time __________ activity (particularly the use of ________ fuels) has resulted in many more emissions.
atmosphere
Climate change
On click - text appears ‘fossil, human, atmosphere’
On click - text appears ‘Over the past couple of centuries, carbon dioxide levels in the ____________ have been greater than ever before. This is because in that time __________ activity (particularly the use of ________ fuels) has resulted in many more emissions.’
On click - answers appear in order ‘atmosphere’, ‘human’, ‘fossil’
human
fossil

58. increased globally carbon dioxide
Climate change
Fill in the gaps.
increased globally carbon dioxide
Source: World Data Center for Paleoclimatology
globally
This graph shows that the __________ averaged surface temperature has steadily ___________ since In that time, _______________ levels have also increased.
Climate change
On click - graph appears ‘Global temperature and carbon dioxide concentration’
On click - text box appears ‘increased, globally, carbon dioxide’
On click - text appears ‘This graph shows that the __________ averaged surface temperature has steadily ___________ since In that time also, _______________ levels have increased.’
On click - answers appear in order ‘globally’, ‘increased’, ‘carbon dioxide’
increased
carbon dioxide

59. Climate change discussion
In what ways are these three groups responsible for climate change?
• individuals
• governments
• business and industry
In what ways could the three groups above contribute to resolving the issues of climate change?
Do people in third-world countries have the same responsibilities for climate change as those in first-world countries? Why?
Climate change discussion
On click - image appears ‘Skyscape’
On click - text appears ‘In what ways are these three groups responsible for climate change? individuals, governments, business and industry.
In what ways could the three groups above contribute to resolving the issues of climate change?
Do people in third-world countries have the same responsibilities for climate change as those in first-world countries? Why?’