Explain how energy provided by the sun influences global patterns, including: atmospheric movement (wind) and temperature differences between air (atmosphere), land (geosphere), and water (hydrosphere).
Understand how the sun’s energy causes changes in temperature of air, land, and water.
Differentiate the three mechanisms by which thermal energy is transferred through the Earth System: (Radiation, Conduction, and Convection)
Investigate how radiation, conduction, and convection influence the Earth System (geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere).
Differentiate between weather and climate.
Describe the four atmospheric factors that make up weather including: thermal energy, air pressure, winds, and moisture.
Explain how the cycling of water between the atmosphere and hydrosphere affects weather patterns and climate.
Investigate how the water cycle affects local climate and weather.
Explain how global patterns such as the Jetstream and ocean currents influence local weather in measurable terms, such as: air temperature and pressure, wind direction and speed, humidity and precipitation, fronts.
Predict weather phenomena based on atmospheric conditions such as: hurricanes, tornadoes, clear skies, wind, precipitation, fronts, etc…