Weather and Climate (CA2)

1. John’s science class is recording weather patterns in the Miami area during the month of November. Each day, they write down the temperature at 10 a.m. and the current weather. At the end of the first week, the class wants to check their findings against an official record. Which of these reference materials would be the best source for recent weather events in Miami?

• a daily newspaper

• a Miami travel brochure

• US rainfall data printed in an almanac

• the entry about climate in an encyclopedia

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

2. Refer to paper test for map picture.

Based on this map, which conclusion can you draw about Florida’s water needs?

• Drought is seriously affecting the entire state.

• Drought is more significant in the lower third of the state.

• Florida does not appear to have any significant problems with water needs.

• The northern half of Florida and the Panhandle suffer from high moisture deficit (not enough moisture)

3. Chieko is doing an experiment with a water clock. She fills a 2-liter soda bottle with water and marks the water level. She puts two tiny pinholes in the base of the bottle. Water seeps out. She checks the time against her watch. After an hour, she marks the new water level. She repeats this process until the water is all gone. Chieko made six hour marks on the bottle, representing the passage of six hours. How can Chieko test her water clock to see if the timing is accurate?

• Repeat the experiment using a better watch.

• Repeat the experiment using less water in the bottle.

• Repeat the experiment using a kitchen timer set to go off each hour.

• Repeat the experiment using the same amount of water and the same watch.

4. Samantha is doing an investigation on temperatures changes in nearby towns. She records temperatures four times daily as part of the investigation. Based on the data she collects, Samantha hopes to determine which city is generally colder or warmer at specific times. What types of investigation will be best for Samantha to follow to find the information she needs?

• creating a model

• a comparative investigation to collect data

• a field study

• a controlled experiment in a lab

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

5. Mr. Forester’s classroom has a thermometer in the window. At 1 p.m., Rina, Pedro, and Meenu read the thermometer and record the temperatures on a chart. After a week, Mr. Forester puts the students’ findings into another chart. Here are the results: (see question 5 on test)

Which of these variables might account for the differences in the recorded temperatures?

• time of day

• changing weather

• amount of sunlight

• ability to read a thermometer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

6. (See question 6 for map) Rafa discovers it is hotter in Phoenix in July than in the other cities. It is colder in Lansing in January than in Phoenix. Temperatures in Cheyenne are colder in October than in the other three cities. April temperatures in Cheyenne and Lansing are about the same. Based on the information Rafa found out, what conclusion can he make about the relationship between temperatures and elevation?

• It is always colder at higher elevations than lower elevations.

• Other factors might affect temperature besides just elevation.

• There is no relationship between the elevation of a place and its high and low temperatures.

• Elevation is, by far, the most important factor in determining temperatures that can be expected in a city.

7. Dr. Brown is studying insects in Panama. She consults with Dr. Pimentel, who studies weather cycles. She also consults with Dr. Marcos, who studies insect-eating birds in Panama. How do the varied backgrounds of these scientists contribute to scientific knowledge?

• Each scientist adds something the others may not know.

• One scientist alone cannot contribute to scientific knowledge.

• Each scientist disagrees with the findings of the other two scientists.

• One scientist can convince the others that his findings alone are accurate.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

8. The movement of water through the oceans is one way that heat is transferred on Earth. By which process does water transfer heat from the equator to the poles?

• the Coriolis effect

• conduction

• radiation

• convection

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

9. Even on a very cool day, the plants inside this greenhouse stay warm if the Sun is shining. How does heat energy flow going into the greenhouse?

• circulation

• conduction

• convection

• radiation

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

10. The illustration below shows how air is warmed above the tropical ocean. (See question 10)

What process occurs during Step 3 of the illustration?

• radiation

• insulation

• conduction

• convection