The Atmosphere |
Air Pressure and Wind |
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Just as fish are surrounded by ocean of water, we are surrounded by an ocean of air. This "ocean" has mass and viscosity that continuously exerts pressure on us. The study of air requires us to think deeply and carefully conduct experiments.
Air is a mixture of gases as atoms and molecules. Most of these gases are bonded in pairs like oxygen O2. The same is true for nitrogen, the most common element in the atmosphere. Other important molecules include water vapor, H2O, and carbon dioxide CO2. |
Learning Targets:
• Understand that pressure exerted on a gas reduces its volume and increases its density.
• Identify wind as a large scale movement of air.
-FQ: How does pressure affect air?
• Defend that air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
• Support that air pressure is represented on a map by contour lines called isobars.
-FQ: What happens when two areas of air have different pressure?
• Understand that pressure exerted on a gas reduces its volume and increases its density.
• Identify wind as a large scale movement of air.
-FQ: How does pressure affect air?
• Defend that air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
• Support that air pressure is represented on a map by contour lines called isobars.
-FQ: What happens when two areas of air have different pressure?
Weather and Air Pressure
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The Atmosphere and Air Pressure
Air pressure is the result of air being pulled to the earth by gravity. The more air you have overhead the greater the pressure. With this greater pressure the molecules of gases in the air are closer together. As you travel up into the atmosphere the atmospheric pressure lessens as there is less atmosphere above you. Places like Death Valley in California have the greatest amounts of air pressure. A barometer is a type of tool that is measures the pressure of air at a specific location on the surface of Earth. |
Air Pressure and wind. What's up with that?
Air surrounds us at all times, so the potential for wind is always happening. Molecules of air are constantly being heated by the sun and rise as they begin to cool. This is the basis for the creation of wind. When there is a high pressure in one area and a low pressure in another, the more dense air from the high pressure area wants to move into the less less dense air of the low pressure area. The air particles are always trying to equalize the pressure between the two areas. Movement of air produces wind. |
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Assignment Completion:
To complete the assignment, you will need to download the file to the left and up of this text. The file is called Video Assignments for Air Pressure and Wind. Once downloaded, you will need to watch the videos to complete the questions. Section 1 is on the video Weather and Air Pressure. Section 2, the green tab, is on the video What is Wind? The 3rd and final tab is to complete questions over the interactive activity which can be accessed from the "button" to the upper right of these directions. After completing the assigned videos, you will use the Submit Your Answers form to the left. You MUST include your name and email with your submission. PLEASE NOTE - you may only submit your answers once. SO make sure they are accurate and in good sentence form. |