Weather, Climate, and the Water Cycle

Keeghan observes the weather one afternoon. He claims thunderstorms are NOT likely. Which observation provides evidence that supports this claim?

• There is a lot of wind.

• The temperature is 23 degrees C (75 degrees F)

• The clouds are mainly cirrus clouds.

• The winds are blowing from the west.

Answer explanation

Cirrus clouds often signal fair weather. Cumulus clouds can signal stormy weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The illustration shows what a piece of hail can look like on the inside. Which claim explains why some balls of hail have layers?

• Raindrops freeze from the inside out.

• Each time a ball of hail goes up and down within a thundercloud, a layer of ice is added.

• Water freezes high in the atmosphere always forms layers.

• Cracks form layers in the ball of hail when the hail hits the ground.

Answer explanation

Each time the hail goes up and down in a thundercloud, it will be in a cold downdraft or a warm updraft, causing layers to form as it melts and refreezes.

Which symbol indicates a cold front?

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Answer explanation

A cold front is represented by blue triangles. A warm front is represented by red semicircles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Over long periods of time, the climate of an area can change. Which of these can cause a change in climate?

• heating and cooling of a body of water

• a long-term increase in temperature

• tides caused by the moon

• Earth's position along its orbit.

Answer explanation

Climate is the long-term weather patterns of a place. For the climate to change, the change must be long-term.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Aivah watches the weather report on the news. The announcer states that an air mass formed over land where temperatures are high is moving into the area where Aivah lives. Which type of weather can Aivah expect?

• cold and dry

• warm and dry

• warm and wet

• cold and wet

Answer explanation

An air mass that forms over land would be dry. If temperatures are high it would also be warm. An air mass that forms over water would be wet. If temperatures were low, it would also be cold.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of these tools does a meteorologist use to describe the weather?

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Answer explanation

An anemometer is used to measure wind speed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following examples describes an air mass that would contain cold, dry air?

• Air mass forming over land.

• Air mass forming over polar waters.

• Air mass forming over tropical waters.

• Air mass forming over the North Pole.

Answer explanation

An air mass that forms over water would have moist air. An air mass that forms over tropical climate zones would have warm air and polar climate zones cold air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the best way for you and your friends to collect data if you are doing an experiment on how precipitation levels vary in different parts of your city?

• Choose 3 sites for rain gauges. Measure the first site. Then travel to the second site to measure it. Then travel to the third site and measure it.

• Chosse 3 sites for rain guages. Measure the first site twice a day for 1 month. Then the next month, measure the second site twice a day . Then the next month, measure the third site twice a day.

• Place 3 rain gauges in various places across the city. Each student measures the amount of rain in one gauge at the same time each day for 1 month.

• Choose four sites around the city. Record the precipitation at all four sites each time that it rains at your school for one month.

Answer explanation

For accurate results, each site needs to be measured at the SAME time each day for a month.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Water is constantly returning to the atmosphere from Earth's surface. Where on Earth does MOST evaporation take place?

• soil

• mountain ice

• rivers and lakes

• oceans

Answer explanation

Oceans are the main source of Earth's water, because they have they more water than other sources, more evaporation occurs in the oceans.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

If you wanted to check the amount of water in a lake to see if there is less water in the lake this year than last year, how can you collect data to test if the lake's water level has changed?

• compare the lake's current water level to its previous year water level

• compare this year and last year's average water usage

• measure tha air temperature to find out how fast the water is evaporating

• measure the lakes water density

Answer explanation

If you want to check the amount of water in a lake, you should check the water level and see if it has changed.