Weather Unit Test- 5th Grade

As you go higher in elevation, the air pressure decreases. This means that there are fewer air molecules in a given volume of space. With fewer molecules, there is less oxygen available for your body to take in when you breathe. This makes it harder to breathe because your body has to work harder to get enough oxygen. Therefore, the correct answer is "harder to breathe".

The correct answer is "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs". This book is about a town where food falls from the sky like rain. The title suggests that the weather is cloudy, and instead of rain, there is a chance of meatballs. This book combines the concepts of weather and food, making it a suitable answer for the question.

The area around the Earth is known as the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds the planet and is held in place by gravity. It plays a crucial role in protecting and sustaining life on Earth by providing oxygen, regulating temperature, and shielding the planet from harmful radiation.

Frost is not a type of precipitation because it does not fall from the atmosphere like rain, hail, or sleet. Frost forms when the temperature of a surface drops below freezing and the water vapor in the air directly changes into ice crystals, without passing through a liquid phase. Therefore, frost is not considered a form of precipitation, which refers to any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit land near New Orleans, LA. This hurricane was one of the most devastating natural disasters in US history, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The storm surge caused multiple breaches in the city's levee system, leading to extensive flooding. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina exposed failures in disaster preparedness and response, and it had long-lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts on the region.

Cumulus clouds are large, white, and fluffy clouds that have a flat base and a rounded shape. They are often associated with fair weather and indicate a stable atmosphere. These clouds form when warm air rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense into visible droplets. Cumulus clouds are commonly seen on sunny days and can sometimes develop into towering cumulonimbus clouds, which bring thunderstorms.

The correct answer is Hurricane because hurricanes are large, swirling storms that form over warm ocean waters and have a well-defined eye in the center. This image on the weather map appears to have a circular shape with a clear eye in the center, indicating the presence of a hurricane.

The correct answer is Cumulus. Cumulus clouds are large, white, puffy clouds with a flat base and rounded tops. They are often associated with fair weather, but can also indicate the possibility of thunderstorms. The picture likely shows a cloud with these characteristics, making Cumulus the correct answer.

Tornado Alley is the correct answer because it is a commonly used nickname for the middle of the United States, particularly the area that stretches from Texas to Nebraska. This region is known for its frequent tornado activity, hence the nickname "Tornado Alley".

The correct answer is CAT because "CAT" stands for "categories of severe weather." This acronym is commonly used to classify and categorize different types of severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. It is a widely recognized and accepted term in the field of meteorology.

Cirrus clouds form at high altitudes and are composed of ice crystals. They appear as thin, wispy clouds that are often white or light gray in color. These clouds indicate fair weather and are commonly seen on sunny days. Unlike stratus and cumulus clouds, which are composed of water droplets, cirrus clouds form when water vapor freezes into ice crystals due to the low temperatures at high altitudes.

The center of a severe tropical weather pattern is called "the eye." This term is used to describe the calm and clear area at the center of a hurricane or cyclone. It is surrounded by the eyewall, which is where the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall occur. The eye is typically characterized by clear skies, light winds, and a drop in atmospheric pressure. It is an important feature to monitor in order to track and predict the intensity and movement of tropical storms.

The correct answer is Stratosphere. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere. It extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. This layer is characterized by the presence of the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. The stratosphere is where most of the clouds are found, including the high-altitude clouds known as cirrus clouds. It is also where airplanes and jet streams operate.

When water vapor, which is in the gaseous state, cools down and changes back into a liquid form, it is known as condensation. This process occurs when the temperature of the surrounding air decreases, causing the water vapor to lose energy and transform into liquid droplets. Condensation plays a crucial role in the water cycle, as it leads to the formation of clouds and eventually precipitation, such as rain or snow.

The correct answer is 5. There are five categories of hurricanes, starting with Category 1 at 74 mph. The categories are determined based on the hurricane's sustained wind speed. Category 1 hurricanes have wind speeds between 74-95 mph, while Category 5 hurricanes have wind speeds of 157 mph or higher. The categories provide a way to classify hurricanes based on their potential for damage and impact.

The correct answer is "vortex" because the term "vortex" refers to a swirling mass of air or liquid, which accurately describes the funnel shape of a tornado. The funnel of a tornado is a rotating column of air that extends from the base of the storm cloud to the ground, creating a powerful and destructive force. The word "vortex" captures the circular motion and intense energy associated with tornadoes.

The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's crust and is where we live. It is the lowest layer and extends from the surface up to about 10-15 kilometers. This is where weather occurs and where most of the Earth's air mass is contained. The other options, such as the atmosphere, stratosphere, and cumulus, are either incorrect or do not accurately describe the layer closest to Earth's crust.

Local wind refers to the wind that occurs in a small area or region, typically influenced by local geographic features or temperature differences. It is characterized by its proximity and relatively weaker strength compared to other types of winds. Coastal wind refers specifically to the wind that occurs along the coastlines, prevailing wind refers to the dominant wind direction in a particular location, and mountain wind refers to the wind patterns influenced by the presence of mountains.

Long, thin clods are referred to as stratus clouds. Stratus clouds are low-level clouds that appear as a uniform layer or sheet covering the sky. They are typically gray or white in color and have a smooth, featureless appearance. These clouds are often associated with stable weather conditions and can bring overcast skies, drizzle, or light rain. Unlike cumulus or cirrus clouds, which have distinct shapes and characteristics, stratus clouds are flat and extended, creating a blanket-like effect in the sky.

As you go up in the atmosphere, the air pressure decreases. This is because the weight of the air above decreases with increasing altitude. As a result, the air molecules become more spread out and the air becomes less dense. Therefore, the correct answer is "less dense."

Prevailing wind refers to the dominant wind direction in a particular region over a long period of time. It is characterized by its strength and widespread influence. When the wind is powerful and has a long range, it is considered a prevailing wind because it affects a large area and determines the climate patterns and weather conditions in that region.

The correct order of the formation of tropical severe weather is tropical depression, tropical storm, and then hurricane. This sequence is based on the development and intensification of a tropical disturbance. A tropical depression forms when a low-pressure area develops over warm ocean waters. If the depression strengthens and wind speeds reach 39 mph, it is then classified as a tropical storm. Finally, if the tropical storm continues to intensify and wind speeds reach 74 mph or higher, it is classified as a hurricane.

The correct answer is Stratus. A stratus cloud is a low-level cloud that appears as a uniform layer covering the sky. It is typically gray or white in color and often brings light precipitation, such as drizzle or mist. This type of cloud is usually flat and featureless, with a smooth appearance. In the picture, the cloud shown matches the description of a stratus cloud, making it the correct answer.

The correct order of the water cycle is precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. This is because precipitation refers to the process where water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid or solid form, such as rain, snow, or hail, and falls to the Earth's surface. Evaporation occurs when heat energy from the sun causes liquid water to turn into water vapor and rise into the atmosphere. Finally, condensation takes place when the water vapor cools and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds. Therefore, precipitation comes first, followed by evaporation and then condensation.

In the LAB this year, we attempted to make an example of hail.