Why is the vertical movement of air critical to the formation of clouds and precipitation?
What role do adiabatic temperature changes play in these processes?
What will be an ideal response?
Air tends to resist vertical movement. Therefore, air located near the surface tends to stay near the surface, and air aloft tends to remain aloft. When you see clouds forming there is some mechanical phenomenon at work that forces the air to rise (at least initially). A drop in temperature occurs even though heat is neither added nor subtracted. Such variations are known as adiabatic temperature changes and result when air is compressed or allowed to expand. In summary, when air is allowed to expand, it cools, and when it is compressed, it warms.
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A student scoops a bucket of water and sediment from the side of a stream. A second student scoops a bucket of water and sediment from the center of the stream. What is the most probable outcome?
A) The first student would have large rocks and boulders because the stream flow sweeps these out of the way and to the sides. The second student might have small rocks and pebbles because the stream wears the rocks down where it flows quickly in the middle. B) The first student would have mud and small rocks because the stream flows slowly at the sides. The second student might have mostly mud because mud settles to the bottom. C) The first student would have mud and small rocks because the stream flows slowly at the sides. The second student might have large rocks and pebbles because the stream probably flows more quickly in the middle. D) The first student would have mud and medium-to-large size rocks that get stuck in the mud at the sides. The second student might have pebbles.
Temperature and precipitation are the principal components of climate
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
In your town (or area), the variation in rainfall and temperature over the last week is called your _________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
What type of energy drives the earth's hydrologic cycle?
A. solar B. geothermal C. geo-mechanical D. centripetal