Earth Systems Unit (Water Cycle, Weather, and Climate)

What is humidity?

• The temperature of the air.

• The amount of rainfall.

• The amount of water vapor in the air.

• An area of low pressure.

Color the polar climate zones.

Color the temperate climate zones.

Color the tropical climate zones.

Why would it be more humid in the tropical climate zones than the polar zones?

• There is more sunlight hitting the polar climates.

• Tropical climates have more rivers.

• Warm air holds more water vapor.

• Polar climates have ice instead of water

When air temperatures INCREASE, what happens?

• The air takes up more space, and the air pressure decreases.

• The air takes up less space, and presses down harder on the ground.

• The clouds get heavier.

• The clouds get lighter.

What happens to the air molecules when the air gets colder?

• The molecules expand and sink.

• The molecules expand and rise.

• The molecules condense and rise.

• The molecules condense and sink.

Draw circles to show air molecules on a cold day, and an arrow to show if the air will rise or sink.

Draw circles to show air molecules on a hot day, and an arrow to show if the air will rise or sink.

What type of clouds mean that thunderstorms are coming?

• Cirrus

• Cumulonimbus

• Stratus

• Cumulus