WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The area in which you live has a particular climate. It also has weather. What is the difference between climate and weather?

• Climate is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas weather is determined only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.

• Weather is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas climate is determined only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.

• Climate is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas weather is the characteristic climate in an area over a long period of time.

• Weather is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas climate is the characteristic weather in an area over a long period of time.

Many factors are used to determine the climate of an area. Which of the following are the two main factors that determine climate?

• precipitation and humidity

• temperature and air pressure

• wind conditions and humidity

• temperature and precipitation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Whether you live in a tropical climate, a temperate climate, or a polar climate, you share something with the rest of the world—your climate is influenced by the latitude where you live. Which best describes why latitudes closer to the equator have warmer climates?

• Latitudes closer to the equator are at lower elevations than latitudes away from the equator.

• Latitudes closer to the equator receive more solar energy than latitudes away from the equator.

• Latitudes closer to the equator are nearer to ocean currents than latitudes away from the equator.

• Latitudes closer to the equator get more wind carrying energy in the form of heat than latitudes away from the equator.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in air pressure. What is the ultimate energy source for wind?

• the sun

• the water cycle

• the curvature of Earth

• ocean surface currents

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following is part of the topography of a place?

• the wind speed

• the clouds in the sky

• the humidity in the air

• the buildings on the land

The latitude of a place affects its climate, in particular its temperature. Which sentence best describes how latitude and air temperature are related?

• Latitude and air temperature are not related.

• The lower the latitude, the colder the air temperature

• The higher the latitude, the colder the air temperature

• The higher the latitude, the warmer the air temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Aurora records the following observations: It rained on Monday. It was sunny on Tuesday. It rained again on Wednesday. What is Aurora recording?

• observations of the weather

• observations of the climate

• observations of both weather and climate

• observations of neither weather or climate

An important piece of information for meteorologists is the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the amount of water vapor needed to reach saturation at a given temperature. This information enables meteorologists to better predict the weather. What is this piece of information called?

• wind speed

• air pressure

• wind direction

• relative humidity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Altitude and air pressure are related. As altitude decreases, what happens to air pressure?

• It increases.

• It becomes zero.

• It decreases.

• It stays the same.

One measure of weather includes the maximum distance at which large objects can be seen and identified with the unaided eye. What does this describe?

• visibility

• wind speed

• air pressure

• temperature