Water in the Atmosphere

Water in the Atmosphere

Chapter 6Section 1

StandardS 6.4 a Students know the

sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on Earth’s surface; it powers winds, ocean currents and the water cycle.

Anticipatory SetGo Outside and try to identify the clouds you see

outside.

Take the map we created last week to help you.

Have a discussion as to which stratosphere the clouds you see are located

Language of the DisciplineWater Cycle

Evaporation

Humidity

Relative humidity

Psychomotor

Condensation

Dew point

Cirrus

Cumulus

Stratus

Water in the AtmosphereWater cycle is the continuous movement of

water between the atmosphere and Earth’s surface

Sun’s energy is the power to the water cycle

Has no real beginning or end

Water vapor is added to the air by living things

Plant roots, leaves and releases it as water vapor

HumidityThe measure of the amount of water vapor in

the air

Relative HumidityThe percent of water vapor that is actually in the

air compared to the amount of water vapor the air can hold at a specific temperature

Relative humidity can be measured with an instrument called a psychomotor.

Psychrometer wet bulb/dry bulb thermometer

How Clouds FormClouds form when water vapor in the air

condense to form liquid water or ice crystals.

Role of CoolingCold air holds less water vaporAs air cools, it holds less and forms tiny drops of

waterDew point- temperature at which condensation

begins If dew point is below freezing then it changes into

ice crystals.

ParticlesFor water vapor to condense, tiny particles must

be present so the water has a surface on which to condense

Blades of grass

Window panes

Dew

Can you thing of anything else that has dew on it?

Types of Clouds Cirrus- Wispy, feathery clouds (like the curl of a

hair)

Made of ice crystals

Looks like rows of cotton balls

Indicates a storm is on it’s way

Looks like scales of fish

Cumulus CloudsFluffy, round piles of cotton

Heap or mass of clouds

Not very tall

Indicate

Common on sunny days

Stratus CloudsSpread out clouds

Covers all or most of the sky

Uniform dull, gray in color

As they thicken, they produce rain, drizzle or snow

CloudsPart of a clouds name is based on it’s height

Altocumulus

Altostratus

“Middle level” clouds

Alto- “high”

FogClouds that form at or near the ground

When the ground cools at night after a warm day

Heat from the next day “burns” the fog off and it evaporates

Common near bodies of water or marshy areas

Checking for Understanding

What instrument measures relative humidity?

What 2 factors are required for condensation to occur?

What are stratus clouds?

Guided PracticeIndependent Practice

Worksheet # 1-5 for Guided Practice

Stop! Have work checked

Independent PracticeWorkbook pages