SC15.ESS.15

Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Earth and Space Science

SC15.ESS.15

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to verify that weather (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, dew point, adiabatic cooling, condensation, precipitation, winds, ocean currents, barometric pressure, wind velocity) is influenced by energy transfer within and among the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere.

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns; Systems and System Models; Energy and Matter

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a given place and time.
  • Weather and climate are shaped by complex interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things.
  • Energy is redistributed globally through ocean currents and also through atmospheric circulation.
  • Sunlight heats Earth's surface, which in turn heats the atmosphere.
  • Temperature patterns, together with the Earth's rotation and the configuration of continents and oceans, control the large-scale patterns of atmospheric circulation.
  • Winds gain energy and water vapor content as they cross hot ocean regions, which can lead to tropical storms.
  • Prediction Center maps provide weather forecasts and climate patterns based on analyses of observational data.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze data in patterns to predict the outcome of an event.
  • Analyze data models to predict outcome of an event.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The complex patterns of the changes and the movement of water in the atmosphere, determined by winds, landforms, and ocean temperatures and currents, are major determinants of local weather patterns.
  • Weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings protect life and property.
  • Weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings protect life and property.

Vocabulary

  • weather
  • air temperature
  • humidity
  • fronts
  • air pressure
  • storms
  • precipitation
  • wind direction
  • wind speed
  • air masses
  • barometer
  • thermometer
  • anemometer
  • wind vane
  • rain gauge
  • psychrometer
  • front
  • warm front
  • cold front
  • air mass
  • highs
  • lows
  • isobar
  • tornado
  • lightning
  • thunder
  • hurricane
  • climate zone
  • temperate
  • tropical
  • polar

Aligned Learning Resources

Weather and Climate StudyJam
Air Pressure and Wind StudyJam
Hurricane Tracking Activity
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