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Air Pressure and Wind StudyJam

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

Air Pressure and Wind StudyJam

URL:

https://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/weather-and-climate/air-pressure-and-wind.htm

Content Source:

Other
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/

Type:

Audio/Video

Overview:

Changes in air pressure, caused by air’s height above sea level, temperature, and amount of water vapor, cause wind. The Earth’s rotation also helps. It causes the Coriolis Effect, which makes the wind blow on a curved path.

The classroom resource provides a video that will explain how changes in air pressure create wind in the atmosphere and how the Earth's rotation causes global wind belts to curve. There is also a short test that can be used to assess students' understanding.

Content Standard(s):

Science SC2015 (2015) Grade: 5	14 ) Use a model to represent how any two systems, specifically the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and/or hydrosphere, interact and support life (e.g., influence of the ocean on ecosystems, landform shape, and climate; influence of the atmosphere on landforms and ecosystems through weather and climate; influence of mountain ranges on winds and clouds in the atmosphere). Unpacked Content Scientific And Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models Crosscutting Concepts: Systems and System Models Disciplinary Core Idea: Earth's Systems Evidence Of Student Attainment: Students: Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact. Teacher Vocabulary: Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere Biosphere Model Phenomenon System Earth Knowledge: Students know: Earth's major systems are the geosphere (solid and molten rock, soil, and sediments), the hydrosphere (water and ice), the atmosphere, and the biosphere (living things, including humans). These systems interact in multiple ways to affect Earth's surface materials and processes. The ocean supports a variety of ecosystems and organisms, shapes landforms, and influences climate. Winds and clouds in the atmosphere interact with the landforms to determine patterns of weather. Skills: Students are able to: Develop a model, using a specific given example of a phenomenon, to describe ways that the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact. In the model, identify the relevant components of their example, including features of two of the following systems that are relevant for the given example: Geosphere (i.e., solid and molten rock, soil, sediment, continents, mountains). Hydrosphere (i.e., water and ice in the form of rivers, lakes, glaciers). Atmosphere (i.e., wind, oxygen). Biosphere [i.e., plants, animals (including humans)]. Identify and describe relationships (interactions) within and between the parts of the Earth systems identified in the model that are relevant to the example (e.g., the atmosphere and the hydrosphere interact by exchanging water through evaporation and precipitation; the hydrosphere and atmosphere interact through air temperature changes, which lead to the formation or melting of ice). Use the model to describe a variety of ways in which the parts of two major Earth systems in the specific given example interact to affect the Earth's surface materials and processes in that context. Use the model to describe how parts of an individual Earth system: Work together to affect the functioning of that Earth system. Contribute to the functioning of the other relevant Earth system. Understanding: Students understand that: Systems, like the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere, can be described in terms of their components and their interactions. AMSTI Resources: AMSTI Module: Dynamics of Ecosystems Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards AAS Standard: SCI.AAS.5.14- Identify how the atmosphere and hydrosphere interact to support life (e.g. air, water).
Science SC2015 (2015) Grade: 6 Earth and Space Science	13 ) Use models (e.g., diagrams, maps, globes, digital representations) to explain how the rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates. a. Use experiments to investigate how energy from the sun is distributed between Earth's surface and its atmosphere by convection and radiation (e.g., warmer water in a pan rising as cooler water sinks, warming one's hands by a campfire). NAEP Framework NAEP Statement:: E8.11a: The Sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on Earth's surface. NAEP Statement:: E8.11b: It provides energy for plants to grow and drives convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle. NAEP Statement:: E8.13a: Global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather. NAEP Statement:: E8.13b: Oceans have a major effect on climate because water in the oceans holds a large amount of heat. NAEP Statement:: P8.10a: Energy is transferred from place to place. NAEP Statement:: P8.10b: Light energy from the Sun travels through space to Earth (radiation). NAEP Statement:: P8.10c: Thermal energy travels from a flame through the metal of a cooking pan to the water in the pan (conduction). NAEP Statement:: P8.10d: Air warmed by a fireplace moves around a room (convection). NAEP Statement:: P8.10e: Waves (including sound and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves) have energy and transfer energy when they interact with matter. NAEP Statement:: P8.11a: A tiny fraction of the light energy from the Sun reaches Earth. NAEP Statement:: P8.11b: Light energy from the Sun is Earth's primary source of energy, heating Earth surfaces and providing the energy that results in wind, ocean currents, and storms. Unpacked Content Scientific And Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models Crosscutting Concepts: Systems and System Models Disciplinary Core Idea: Earth's Systems Evidence Of Student Attainment: Students: Explain by using models, how the rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of atmospheric circulation that determine regional climates. Explain by using models, how the rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of oceanic circulation that determine regional climates. Use experiments to investigate how energy from the sun is distributed between Earth's surface and its atmosphere by convection. Use experiments to investigate how energy from the sun is distributed between Earth's surface and its atmosphere by radiation. Teacher Vocabulary: Model Diagram Map Globe Digital representation Rotation Heat Pattern Atmosphere Atmospheric circulation Ocean Oceanic circulation Climate Regional climate Radiation Sun Solar energy Thermal energy Water Land Ice Temperature Matter Conduction Latitude Altitude Geography Geographic land distribution Precipitation Absorption Landform Atmospheric flow Mountain Rain shadow effect Coriolis force Fluid Density Salinity Global ocean convection cycle Landmass Marine Coast Variation Radiation Electromagnetic wave Space Convection Current Liquid Gas Equator Knowledge: Students know: Radiation from the sun (solar energy) introduces heat (thermal energy) into Earth's atmosphere, water, land, and ice. Thermal energy exists in the atmosphere, water, land, and ice as represented by temperature. Thermal energy moves from areas of high temperature to areas of lower temperature either through the movement of matter, via radiation, or via conduction of heat from warmer objects to cooler objects. Absorbing or releasing thermal energy produces a more rapid change in temperature on land compared to in water. Absorbing or releasing thermal energy produces a more rapid change in temperature in the atmosphere compared to either on land or in water so the atmosphere is warmed or cooled by being in contact with land or the ocean. The rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation vary by latitude, altitude, and geographic land distribution. Higher latitudes receive less solar energy per unit of area than do lower latitudes, resulting in temperature differences based on latitude. A general latitudinal pattern in climate exists where higher average annual temperatures are found near the equator and lower average annual temperatures are at higher latitudes. Latitudinal temperature differences are caused by more direct light (greater energy per unit of area) at the equator (more solar energy) and less direct light at the poles (less solar energy). A general latitudinal pattern of drier and wetter climates caused by the shift in the amount of air moisture during precipitation from rising moisture-rich air and the sinking of dry air. In general, areas at higher altitudes have lower average temperatures than do areas at lower altitudes. Because of the direct relationship between temperature and pressure, given the same amount of thermal energy, air at lower pressures (higher altitudes) will have lower temperatures than air at higher pressures (lower altitudes). Features on the Earth's surface, such as the amount of solar energy reflected back into the atmosphere or the absorption of solar energy by living things, affect the amount of solar energy transferred into heat energy. Landforms affect atmospheric flows (e.g., mountains deflect wind and/or force it to higher elevation, known as the rain shadow effect). The geographical distribution of land limits where ocean currents can flow. The Earth's rotation causes oceanic and atmospheric flows to curve when viewed from the rotating surface of Earth (Coriolis force). Fluid matter (i.e., air, water) flows from areas of higher density to areas of lower density (due to temperature or salinity). The density of a fluid can vary for several different reasons (e.g., changes in salinity and temperature of water can each cause changes in density). Differences in salinity and temperature can, therefore, cause fluids to move vertically and, as a result of vertical movement, also horizontally because of density differences. Ocean circulation is dependent upon the transfer of heat by the global ocean convection cycle, which is constrained by the Coriolis effect and the outlines of continents. Because water can absorb more solar energy for every degree change in temperature compared to land, there is a greater and more rapid temperature change on land than in the ocean. At the centers of landmasses, this leads to conditions typical of continental climate patterns. Climates near large water bodies, such as marine coasts, have comparatively smaller changes in temperature relative to the center of the landmass. Land near the oceans can exchange thermal energy through the air, resulting in smaller changes in temperature. At the edges of landmasses, this leads to marine climates. Variations in density due to variations in temperature and salinity drive a global pattern of interconnected ocean currents. Radiation is the transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic wave motion. The transfer of energy from the sun across nearly empty space is accomplished primarily by radiation. Radiation from the sun (solar energy) introduces heat (thermal energy) into Earth's atmosphere, water, land, and ice. Convection is the transfer of heat by a current and can occur in a liquid or a gas. When air near the ground is warmed by heat radiating from Earth's surface. The warm air is less dense, so it rises. As it rises, it cools. The cool air is dense, so it sinks to the surface. This creates a convection current. Convection is the most important way that heat travels in the atmosphere. Convection in the atmosphere is responsible for the redistribution of heat from the warm equatorial regions to higher latitudes and from the surface upward. Skills: Students are able to: Use a model of Earth and identify the relevant components of Earth's system, including inputs and outputs. Describe the relationships between components of the model including how the rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Articulate a statement that relates a given phenomenon to a scientific idea, including how the rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Identify and describe the phenomenon under investigation, which includes how energy is distributed between Earth's surface and its atmosphere. Identify and describe the purpose of the investigation, which includes providing evidence that energy from the sun is distributed between Earth's surface and its atmosphere by convection and radiation. Collect and record data, according to the given investigation plan. Evaluate the data to determine how energy from the sun is distributed between Earth's surface and its atmosphere by convection and radiation. Understanding: Students understand that: Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and organisms. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns. The ocean exerts a major influence on weather and climate by absorbing energy from the sun, releasing it over time, and globally redistributing it through ocean currents. Radiation from the sun (solar energy) introduces heat (thermal energy) into Earth's atmosphere, water, land, and ice and is represented by temperature. Thermal energy moves from areas of high temperature to areas of lower temperature on Earth's surface and in its atmosphere either through radiation or convection. AMSTI Resources: AMSTI Module: Understanding Weather and Climate (for both 13 and 13a) Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards AAS Standard: SCI.AAS.6.13 - Use models to investigate how energy from the sun impacts Earth's surface; recognize that uneven heating of Earth's surface causes patterns in weather and climate. SCI.AAS.6.13a - Recognize that the sun's thermal energy is distributed throughout Earth's atmosphere by convection and radiation.
Science SC2015 (2015) Grade: 9-12 Earth and Space Science	15 ) Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to verify that weather (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, dew point, adiabatic cooling, condensation, precipitation, winds, ocean currents, barometric pressure, wind velocity) is influenced by energy transfer within and among the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere. a. Analyze patterns in weather data to predict various systems, including fronts and severe storms. b. Use maps and other visualizations to analyze large data sets that illustrate the frequency, magnitude, and resulting damage from severe weather events in order to predict the likelihood and severity of future events. NAEP Framework NAEP Statement:: E12.10b: This energy transfer is influenced by dynamic processes such as cloud cover, atmospheric gases, and Earth's rotation, as well as static conditions such as the positions of mountain ranges, oceans, seas, and lakes. Unpacked Content Scientific And Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns; Systems and System Models; Energy and Matter Disciplinary Core Idea: Earth's Systems Evidence Of Student Attainment: Students: Compare and contrast the means of describing weather conditions. Classify the variety of instruments that measure weather conditions. Use the concept of energy flow to show how air masses and fronts create weather. Analyze a sequence of weather maps for a region over time to show the consistency of weather models. Depict graphically the flow of energy throughout the stages of thunderstorm development. Communicate information detailing Earth's major climate zones. Teacher Vocabulary: weather air temperature humidity fronts air pressure storms precipitation wind direction wind speed air masses barometer thermometer anemometer wind vane rain gauge psychrometer front warm front cold front air mass highs lows isobar tornado lightning thunder hurricane climate zone temperate tropical polar Knowledge: Students know: Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a given place and time. Weather and climate are shaped by complex interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. Energy is redistributed globally through ocean currents and also through atmospheric circulation. Sunlight heats Earth's surface, which in turn heats the atmosphere. Temperature patterns, together with the Earth's rotation and the configuration of continents and oceans, control the large-scale patterns of atmospheric circulation. Winds gain energy and water vapor content as they cross hot ocean regions, which can lead to tropical storms. Prediction Center maps provide weather forecasts and climate patterns based on analyses of observational data. Skills: Students are able to: Analyze data in patterns to predict the outcome of an event. Analyze data models to predict outcome of an event. Understanding: Students understand that: The complex patterns of the changes and the movement of water in the atmosphere, determined by winds, landforms, and ocean temperatures and currents, are major determinants of local weather patterns. Weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings protect life and property. Weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings protect life and property. Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards AAS Standard: SCI.AAS.ESS.HS.15- Identify weather conditions, including temperature, wind speed, humidity, and severe weather events (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, floods).

Tags:

air pressure, atmosphere, climate, convection cell, Coriolis effect, downdraft, polar easterlies, prevailing westerlies, updraft, weather, wind

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The test may be completed as a whole group or independently on student devices.

This resource provided by:

Author:

Hannah Bradley

ALEX Classroom Resource

Air Pressure and Wind StudyJam