Weather and

Climate Unit
Part I/VI
Start Part I / V of an educational unit about
Weather and Climate Topics for students
students in grades 6-8

Download the Powerpoint version of this

video, unit notes, assessments, lab
activities, handouts, review games, videos,
and much more at
www.sciencepowerpoint.com
• RED SLIDE: These are notes that are very
important and should be recorded in your
science journal.
• BLACK SLIDE: Pay attention, follow
directions, complete projects as described
and answer required questions neatly.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Keep an eye out for “The-Owl” and raise
your hand as soon as you see him.
– He will be hiding somewhere in the slideshow

“Hoot, Hoot”
“Good Luck!”

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

The Weather and Climate Unit

This Unit belongs to Ryan Murphy

Copyright 2010 and can be found
at www.sciencepowerpoint.com

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 New Area of Focus: Air Pressure, The
factor that controls the weather.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Class Demo: Does air have weight?
– How could we measure the weight of air?

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• Air is made of matter. Matter has mass
and takes up space.

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 “Ouch!” “Air
molecules are
everywhere.”
 Air Pressure: The pressure caused by the
weight of the atmosphere.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Air Pressure: The pressure caused by the
weight of the atmosphere.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Air pressure applies a force equal in all
directions.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Air pressure applies a force equal in all
directions.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Gravity pulls the air molecules toward
the earth, giving them weight.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Gravity pulls the air molecules toward
the earth, giving them weight. The
weight of the air molecules all around
us is called the air pressure.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As elevation increases, air pressure
decreases.

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 As elevation increases, air pressure
decreases.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As elevation increases, air pressure
decreases.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As elevation increases, air pressure
decreases.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Mt. Everest – Death Zone past camp IV
because there are very few air molecules

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 As you increase in elevation…

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 As you increase in elevation…

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 As you increase in elevation,

Low Pressure

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 As you increase in elevation, air pressure
decreases.

Low Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As you increase in elevation, air pressure
decreases. As you decrease in elevation…

Low Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As you increase in elevation, air pressure
decreases. As you decrease in elevation…

Low Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As you increase in elevation, air pressure
decreases. As you decrease in elevation,

Low Pressure

High Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 As you increase in elevation, air pressure
decreases. As you decrease in elevation,
pressure increases.

Low Pressure

High Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• As you increase in elevation…
– air pressure decreases.
• As you increase in elevation…
– air pressure decreases.
Low Pressure
Low Pressure

Higher Pressure
• Water has lots of weight so enormous
pressure as you go down.
 Barometer: Instrument that measures air
pressure.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Standard sea-level pressure is 14.7 lb per
sq in. (1,030 grams per sq cm), which is
equivalent to a column of mercury 29.92
in. (760 mm) in height;
• The decrease with elevation is
approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) for every 900
ft (270 m) of ascent.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Standard sea-level pressure is 14.7 lb per
sq in. (1,030 grams per sq cm), which is
equivalent to a column of mercury 29.92
in. (760 mm) in height;
• The decrease with elevation is
approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) for every 900
ft (270 m) of ascent.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

A rising barometer = Increasing air pressure.
This usually means…

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• High pressure = Good Weather

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• Low Pressure = Poor weather coming

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• Low Pressure = Poor weather coming

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Complete the Diagram on the next slide in
journal with your table group. Will see on
OFE.
High Pressure Low Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude?
High Pressure Low Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic
Wreck

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic
Wreck

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Everest
Wreck

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Everest
Wreck

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Sea-Level Everest
Wreck

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Sea-Level Everest
Wreck

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Bottom Everest
Sea-Level
Wreck of a
Pool

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Bottom Everest
Sea-Level
Wreck of a
Pool

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Word Bank: Titanic Wreck, Top of Mt.
Everest, Sea-Level, Bottom of a Pool, In a
Jet-Plane at High Altitude? Answers!
High Pressure Low Pressure

Titanic Top of Mt.

Bottom Everest
Sea-Level
Wreck of a
Jet Planes have
Pool
devices in them
that keep the
pressure safe!

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Marshmallow torture
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
– Record Picture of Marshmallow.
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
– Record Picture of Marshmallow.
– Quickly let air rush back in and observe.
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
– Record Picture of Marshmallow.
– Quickly let air rush back in and observe.
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
– Record Picture of Marshmallow.
– Quickly let air rush back in and observe.
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
– Record Picture of Marshmallow.
– Quickly let air rush back in and observe.

No Air Pressure
• Activity! Marshmallow torture
– Teacher to tell cool story about different
Marshmallow torture devices.
– Place Marshmallow into Bell Jar vacuum.
– Remove Air from Bell Jar
– Record Picture of Marshmallow.
– Quickly let air rush back in and observe.

Air Pressure
• Activity! Class Demonstrations.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Class Demonstrations.
– Demonstration needs to be safe, fun, and
have a cool story.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Class Demonstrations.
– Demonstration needs to be safe, fun, and
have a cool story.
– You and your group will have to present an air
pressure experiment / demonstration to the
class using the internet to locate demo.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Class Demonstrations.
– Demonstration needs to be safe, fun, and
have a cool story.
– You and your group will have to present an air
pressure experiment / demonstration to the
class using the internet to locate demo.
– Must demonstrate / teach air pressure, that is,
you need to know what’s happening in your
experiment and explain it…..i.e.- teach it.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Class Demonstrations.
– Demonstration needs to be safe, fun, and
have a cool story.
– You and your group will have to present an air
pressure experiment / demonstration to the
class using the internet to locate demo.
– Must demonstrate / teach air pressure, that is,
you need to know what’s happening in your
experiment and explain it…..i.e.- teach it.
– Must include everyone in group.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Class Demonstrations.
– Demonstration needs to be safe, fun, and
have a cool story.
– You and your group will have to present an air
pressure experiment / demonstration to the
class using the internet to locate demo.
– Must demonstrate / teach air pressure, that is,
you need to know what’s happening in your
experiment and explain it…..i.e.- teach it.
– Must include everyone in group.
– You need to bring in most of the materials.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity! Class Demonstrations.
– Demonstration needs to be safe, fun, and
have a cool story.
– You and your group will have to present an air
pressure experiment / demonstration to the
class using the internet to locate demo.
– Must demonstrate / teach air pressure, that is,
you need to know what’s happening in your
experiment and explain it…..i.e.- teach it.
– Must include everyone in group.
– You need to bring in most of the materials.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can
– Straws and liquid
– Rising water levels
– Broken stick
– Egg and milk bottle
– Plunger

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can
– Straws and liquid

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can
– Straws and liquid
– Rising water levels

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can
– Straws and liquid
– Rising water levels
– Broken stick

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can
– Straws and liquid
– Rising water levels
– Broken stick
– Egg and milk bottle

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Some Ideas
– Build a barometer
– Balloon Rockets
– Collapsing Can
– Straws and liquid
– Rising water levels
– Broken stick
– Egg and milk bottle
– Many more found on
the internet.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Air Pressure drives the wind and creates the
weather.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Warm air rises, cool air sinks.
 Warm is low pressure, Cold is High
Pressure.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Warm air rises, cool air sinks.
 Warm is low pressure, Cold is High
Pressure.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Warm air rises, cool air sinks.
 Warm is low pressure, Cold is High
Pressure.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Question to be answered in journal
– What causes the wind and weather?

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Answer! The sun can cause wind because
it causes differences in air pressure. As
warm air heated from the sun rises it
causes a pressure difference. This
pressure difference drives the wind.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Key concept in science: Many things go
from high to low. Air molecules

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Weather Map: www.weather.com
• Do you see any trends in the picture
below?

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Answer! A band of high pressure systems
exist south of the equator.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Answer! They also exist just north of the
equator.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Answer! Low pressure systems exist
below the high pressure systems.

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• Answer! Low Pressure system exist at the
mid latitudes.

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Polar High
Surface
Pressure
Polar Low

Subtropical High

Tropical Low

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• Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure
Areas

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• Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure
Areas
– Equatorial low-pressure trough.

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• Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure
Areas
– Equatorial low-pressure trough.
– Polar high-pressure cells.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure
Areas
– Equatorial low-pressure trough.
– Polar high-pressure cells.
– Subtropical high-pressure cells.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure
Areas
– Equatorial low-pressure trough.
– Polar high-pressure cells.
– Subtropical high-pressure cells.
– Subpolar low-pressure cells.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure
Areas
– Equatorial low-pressure trough.
– Polar high-pressure cells.
– Subtropical high-pressure cells.
– Subpolar low-pressure cells.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Polar High
Surface
Pressure
Polar Low

Subtropical High

Tropical Low
• Attacama Desert, Chile – The driest place
on earth. Some places haven’t received a
drop of rain in over a million years.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Warm Fronts and Cold Fronts, caused by
air pressure.

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• Activity Demonstration! Density Box
– Draw a before, middle, and after

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• First Drawing (Before)

Cold Hot

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• During (Middle)

Hot

Cold

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• After (End)

Hot

Cold
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Remember: Cold sinks, warm rises
 Cold Front: Form where cold air moves
towards warm air.
 Creates rain storms.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Cold Front: Form where cold air moves
towards warm air.
 Creates rain storms.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Cold Air
Warm Air

Cold Air
Warm Air
Rain
Cold Air
 Warm Front: Form where warm air moves
towards cold air.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Occluded front: When a cold front
overtakes a warm front and forces it up
(Mix)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Occluded front: When a cold front
overtakes a warm front and forces it up
(Mix)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Stationary Front: When a cold front and
warm front cannot overtake each other
(tie)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Stationary Front: When a cold front and
warm front cannot overtake each other
(tie)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Stationary Front: When a cold front and
warm front cannot overtake each other
(tie)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Stationary Front: When a cold front and
warm front cannot overtake each other
(tie)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 Stationary Front: When a cold front and
warm front cannot overtake each other
(tie)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Not always a straight line (cyclonic)
• Quiz 1-10 Name the Front. Warm, Cold,
Occluded, Stationary, Other.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

1
2
3
4
5
6
6

7
8
9
10
• Bonus -1 pt for each character (1 minute)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Answers Quiz 1-10 Name the Front.
Warm, Cold, Occluded, Stationary, Other.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

1
1 Cold Front
2
2 Occluded Front
3
3 Other
4
4 Cold Front
5
5 Stationary
Front
6
6 Warm
Front
6

7
6

7 Cold
Front
8
8 Warm Front
9
9 Other
10
10
• Bonus -1 pt for each character (1 minute)

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Bonus – I know Mario is this one.

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• Bonus – Luigi

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• Bonus – Diddy Kong

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• Bonus – Link

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• Bonus – That is all I know

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• Bonus – The Owl

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• How is your unit assessment?
– You should be on page ____ by now!

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Try and identify the picture beneath the
squares.
– Raise your hand when you think you know.
You only get one guess.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Northern Lights in the
Thermosphere
• Activity! Weather and Climate Review
Game I

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

End Weather
and Climate
Unit Part II/V
 • More Units Available at…

Earth Science: The Soil Science and Glaciers Unit, The Geology Topics
Unit, The Astronomy Topics Unit, The Weather and Climate Unit, and
The River Unit, The Water Molecule Unit.
Physical Science: The Laws of Motion and Machines Unit, The Atoms
and Periodic Table Unit, The Energy and the Environment Unit, and The
Introduction to Science / Metric Unit.
Life Science: The Diseases and Cells Unit, The DNA and Genetics Unit,
The Life Topics Unit, The Plant Unit, The Taxonomy and Classification
Unit, Ecology: Feeding Levels Unit, Ecology: Interactions Unit, Ecology:
Abiotic Factors, The Evolution and Natural Selection Unit and coming
soon The Anatomy and Physiology Unit.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 • More Units Available at…

Earth Science: The Soil Science and Glaciers Unit, The Geology Topics
Unit, The Astronomy Topics Unit, The Weather and Climate Unit, and
The River Unit, The Water Molecule Unit.
Physical Science: The Laws of Motion and Machines Unit, The Atoms
and Periodic Table Unit, The Energy and the Environment Unit, and The
Introduction to Science / Metric Unit.
Life Science: The Diseases and Cells Unit, The DNA and Genetics Unit,
The Life Topics Unit, The Plant Unit, The Taxonomy and Classification
Unit, Ecology: Feeding Levels Unit, Ecology: Interactions Unit, Ecology:
Abiotic Factors, The Evolution and Natural Selection Unit and coming
soon The Anatomy and Physiology Unit.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 • More Units Available at…

Earth Science: The Soil Science and Glaciers Unit, The Geology Topics
Unit, The Astronomy Topics Unit, The Weather and Climate Unit, and
The River Unit, The Water Molecule Unit.
Physical Science: The Laws of Motion and Machines Unit, The Atoms
and Periodic Table Unit, The Energy and the Environment Unit, and The
Introduction to Science / Metric Unit.
Life Science: The Diseases and Cells Unit, The DNA and Genetics Unit,
The Life Topics Unit, The Plant Unit, The Taxonomy and Classification
Unit, Ecology: Feeding Levels Unit, Ecology: Interactions Unit, Ecology:
Abiotic Factors, The Evolution and Natural Selection Unit and coming
soon The Anatomy and Physiology Unit.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

 • More Units Available at…

Earth Science: The Soil Science and Glaciers Unit, The Geology Topics
Unit, The Astronomy Topics Unit, The Weather and Climate Unit, and
The River Unit, The Water Molecule Unit.
Physical Science: The Laws of Motion and Machines Unit, The Atoms
and Periodic Table Unit, The Energy and the Environment Unit, and The
Introduction to Science / Metric Unit.
Life Science: The Diseases and Cells Unit, The DNA and Genetics Unit,
The Life Topics Unit, The Plant Unit, The Taxonomy and Classification
Unit, Ecology: Feeding Levels Unit, Ecology: Interactions Unit, Ecology:
Abiotic Factors, The Evolution and Natural Selection Unit and coming
soon The Anatomy and Physiology Unit.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy