Oceans, Atmosphere and Climate

What are prevailing winds?

• winds that move in one direction and are strong enough to move ocean currents.

• Ocean currents that move in one direction and are around enough to affect winds.

• winds that move in every direction and AREN'T strong enough to move ocean currents

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

City 1 and City 2 are the same distance from the equator and they are both near the ocean. Use the information on the map to answer these questions: How does the air temperature of City 2 compare to the air temperature of City 1? Why?

• The same as City 1. Even though the ocean water at each location is a different temperature, the same amount of energy is transferred to the air at both locations.

• The same as City 1. They are both near moving ocean water, so the same amount of energy is transferred to the air at both locations.

• Colder than City 1. At City 2, energy is transferred from the air to the ocean. At City 1, energy is transferred from the ocean to the air.

• Colder than City 1. At City 2, only a little energy is transferred from the air to the ocean. At City 1, a lot of energy is transferred from the ocean to the air.

Answer explanation

The current near City 2 is a cool current and is bringing less energy because it starts near the equator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Locations that are farther from the equator have colder air temperatures because...

• less energy is transferred directly to the air

• more energy is transferred from the surface to the air

• they have more sunlight

• less energy is transferred from the sun to the surface and then to the air

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Fairview and Washington are the same distance from the equator, and both cities are near the ocean. The air temperature in Fairview is colder than the air temperature in Washington. What causes the air temperature in these places to be different?

• There is no way to figure this out.

• Who knows.

• The ocean water is much cooler than the air of Washington, so the ocean transfers energy to the air. This makes the air cooler.

• The ocean water is much warmer than the air of Washington, so the ocean transfers energy to the air. This makes the air warmer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Why would two locations on the coast with similar latitudes have different air temperatures?

• energy from the sun is always changing at the same latitude

• ocean currents can carry different amounts of energy

• ocean currents always carry the same amount of energy so the temperature is the same

• the sea floor changes the temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of these in NOT one of the reasons the atmosphere is important?

• it is where weather occurs

• it is where you can find the aurora borealis, beautiful lights in the night sky

• it contains gases needed for photosynthesis

• without it, sound could not travel to our ears

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Hopetown is farther from the equator than Kamina. Which location has a colder air temperature and why?

• Kamina, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the air.

• Kamina, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.

• Hopetown, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the air. 

• Hopetown, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What 2 factors have an affect on the ocean currents?

• Prevailing winds

• Continents

• The moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does the air temperature of City 2 compare to the air temperature of City 1? Why?

• City 2 is warmer than City 1 because it has a warm current passing by.

• City 1 is colder than City 2 because it has a cold current passing by.

• City 2 is colder than City 1 because it has a cold current passing by.

• City 1 is warmer than City 2 because it has a warm current passing by.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Fill in the blank: Energy is transferred form the sun to the _____, then to the air.

• Air

• Prevailing Winds

• Surface

• Air

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6