Weather and Climate Unit Test

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between weather and climate?

• Weather is a long-term average of atmospheric conditions, while climate is the current atmospheric condition.

• Climate is a long-term average of atmospheric conditions, while weather is the current atmospheric condition.

• Weather and climate are the same thing.

• Weather refers only to temperature, while climate refers to precipitation.

Answer explanation

BOTH talk about wind, temperature, and precipitation, but weather is what is happening NOW or in the SHORT TERM. Climate is what USUALLY happens, based on long term data and patterns.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following is an example of an annual climate pattern?

• Daily temperature changes

• Seasonal changes in tree leaves

• The average temperature of a year

• A single thunderstorm

Answer explanation

The definition of "annual" is: occurring once every year.

"the sponsored walk became an annual event"

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Based on data about past La Niña events, predict what might happen to agriculture in New Mexico during a strong La Niña winter.

• Increased rainfall may improve crop yields.

• Decreased rainfall may lead to drought, so crop yields may be less

• No change in weather patterns.

• Increased snowfall will damage crops.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

DRAW the water cycle. Label the following:

Gas (vapor)

Evaporation

Condensation

Precipitation

Energy

Force

Answer explanation

Evaporation happens when we add THERMAL ENERGY, which comes from the SUN! Water falls and flows back toward Earth because of the force of GRAVITY!

Tags

NM.MS-ESS2-4.

Label the processes involved in the water cycle shown in the image.

a

b

c

d

Infiltration

Precipitation

Evaporation

Condensation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is happening when water condenses into liquid?

• Water releases thermal energy into the atmosphere in order to change states

• Water absorbs thermal energy from the atmosphere in order to change states

• Water changing states has no effect on atmospheric thermal energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas is called ___________.

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Precipitation

• Sublimation

Answer explanation

When water changes from a liquid (like in the ocean) to a gas (like water vapor in the air) it has EVAPORATED as it absorbed thermal energy!

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Which of the following is a key source of energy that drives the water cycle?

• Geothermal energy

• Solar energy

• Wind energy

• Chemical energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

______ waves can travel through empty space, but ______ waves cannot.

• Light, sound

• Sound, light

• Water, sound

• Light, water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Which part of the world receives more heat from sunlight?

• The Earth is heated equally at all points

• The poles receive more heat than the equator

• The equator receives more heat than the poles

• The Earth is heated more at night

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6