6th grade Atmosphere Unit Example For Students

6th grade Atmosphere Unit Question Answer Troposphere Layer in which we live, weather occurs here Stratosphere Gases are found in layers, ozone layer is found here Mesosphere Coolest layer, meteors burn up in this layer Thermosphere Highest temperatures, contains the ionosphere Atmosphere The mixture of gases which surround our planet; mostly nitrogen and oxygen Weather The state of the atmosphere at a place and time What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere? Nitrogen Global winds Winds that follow regular patterns and paths Sea Breeze During the DAY cool dense air moves from the ocean towards the warm, less dense shore. Land Breeze During NIGHT, cool dense air moves from the land towards the warm, less dense ocean. Cumulus Fluffy, white clouds with flat bottoms. Stratus Layered clouds which block out the Sun. Can cause constant drizzly rain. Cirrus Small, wispy clouds created by strong winds. They often indicate a change in weather. Condensation The change of water vapor to liquid water due to cooling; where clouds form Precipitation Water returning back to Earths surface: hail, sleet, snow, and rain Global Warming The gradual increase of Earths atmospheric temperature Greenhouse effect The trapping of heat in the Earths atmosphere due to an increase in greenhouse gases (CO2) Cold front When a cool air mass comes in and pushes a warm air mass up; results in cool weather Warm front Warm air moves over cold, dense air. Results in drizzly rain and warm temperatures Occluded front Warm air is trapped between 2 cool air masses; warm air rises up. This creates cool temperatures and lots of snow. Stationary front When a warm and cold air mass meet, but neither can overpower the other. Results in days of cloudy weather rain Air mass A large mass of air which has similar temperature and water vapor content Wind The movement of air caused by temperature differences How does wind move? From high pressure to low pressure Mountain Valley Breezes Caused by the elevation and temperature differences Humidity Amount of water vapor in the air Dew Point Temperature where air cools to saturate it Isobars Lines on a weather map that connect air pressure