Big Ideas (learning targets)

• most of the atmosphere is made of nitrogen

• ozone protects us from harmful UV radiation

• the layers of the Earth, starting with the closest layer, are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere

• the exosphere extends into space

• the International Space Station orbits in the thermosphere

• the stratosphere extends approximately 31 miles above Earth

• the coldest layer of the atmosphere is the mesosphere

• the uneven heating of Earth by the sun causes warmer and cooler regions, thus causing wind

• as the angle of the sun's rays decrease, the energy spreads out farther

• dust in the atmosphere provides a surface for water vapor to condense on

• almost all weather occurs in the troposphere

• relative humidity depends on temperature and the amount of water vapor available

• the greatest danger from a tornado is flying debris and wreckage

• the eye of a hurricane is calm.  The eyewall has the most intense wind in a hurricane

• typhoon is another name for hurricane

• meteorologists are scientists who study weather conditions to provide forecasts

• I can demonstrate how a news team works together and produces a newscast