Energy Transfer and Moisture Concepts

Energy Transfer and Moisture Concepts

1. The experiment video Imploding Can (2:39) applies several concepts we have studied so far in this course, but focuses on the concept of pressure gradient force presented in module 5. After watching the video (several times, if needed), construct an engaging 3-paragraph initial post that addresses the following points:

· Paragraph 1: Summarize the steps and the final dramatic outcome of the experiment (do not explain the science behind what is happening in each of the steps this paragraph). (graphics will add greatly to the discussion here).

· Paragraph 2: Using energy transfer and moisture concepts (modules 2 and 3), and the concept of pressure gradient force (chapter 8, from module 5), explain the science behind what is happening in each step of the experiment and the final outcome.

· Paragraph 3: Give us “your take” on the relevance and importance of what this experiment illustrates about the pressure gradient force from your own perspective – personal points of view or related experiences, for example.

The Role of Energy in Weather and Climate

“The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time.” The reference below is an excellent starting place for understanding weather and climate. As it points out, the difference between the two is time. Weather is what is happening outside now. Climate is the average of the daily changes of weather over a long period of time in a particular location. Summer in Houston is hot. Winter in Houston is rainy. These two statements relate to the Houston climate. Day-to-day weather, however, may be very different. A day in summer could be cool and rainy, and a single day in winter might be warm and dry. When day-to-day weather is the same for long stretches (e.g., no rain for months), a climate change may be taking place. The climate concern regarding global warming is based, in part, on extensive daily weather records that show a worldwide warming trend.

What’s the Difference Between Weather and Climate?: NASA
Subtopics:

Weather Properties and their Measurement
Weather and Climate
Monitoring and Predicting Weather
Energy Transfer
Effects of the Geosphere on Weather

Weather Properties and their Measurement

The beginning teacher understands the elements of weather (e.g., humidity, wind speed, pressure, temperature) and how they are measured.

Key Concepts:

Weather often is described in general terms, such as warm and sunny or windy and cold, but these terms are based on measurable observations of weather conditions.
Humidity is a measure of the amount of moisture in the air. Relative humidity is a measure of the actual amount of moisture in the air compared to how much moisture the air could hold based on its temperature. Warm air is able to hold more moisture than cold air. Relative humidity is measured as a percentage of the total amount of water the air can hold.
Air pressure is a measure of the force exerted at Earth’s surface by the weight of air above. Because air is a gas, its volume and density can change. High-pressure air is air that is compressed. Low-pressure air is expanded (less compressed). Earth’s surface is covered with areas, referred to as cells, of alternating high and low pressures. These are due to variations of solar heating across the surface. The cells move across Earth’s surface and bring variations of the weather with them.
Air pressure is measured with a device called a barometer. Pressure is measured in bars. One bar is roughly equivalent to the pressure at sea level. Changes in pressure, which indicate a change in the weather, are measured in millibars (1 millibar is equal to about 100 pascals). Air pressure is also measured as pounds per square inch. At sea level, the pressure is 14.7 psi. Air pressure drops with increasing elevation.
Wind speed is measured with an anemometer, which is an instrument made of a propeller or cups at the ends of rods that spin horizontally about a pivot. Wind speed usually is reported in miles per hour. Along with wind speed, wind direction is measured. The device for measuring direction is a weather vane. Winds are named for the direction from which they come.
Temperature is measured in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius with a thermometer.
Changes in pressure, temperature, wind speed, and humidity indicate an impending change in the weather.

Resources:

The National Snow and Ice Data Center offers a detailed glossary of meteorological terms.

The US Search and Rescue Task Force offers basic information about predicting weather and the instruments that are used for this purpose.
Weather and Climate

The beginning teacher compares and contrasts weather and climate.

Key Concepts:

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific location and a specific time.
Climate is the average weather (e.g., temperature, humidity, cloud cover, etc.) over long periods of time (e.g., seasonal or annual) in a particular geographic location. Climatological studies of Earth’s past can span thousands of years.
The same units of measure apply for both weather and climate. The difference is the time period covered.

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER!!! Energy Transfer and Moisture Concepts

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

• Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, including a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
• Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
• One or two-sentence responses, simple statements of agreement, or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
• I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

• Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
• In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
• Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
• Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

• Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
• Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
• I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

• I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’s level and deduct points accordingly.
• As Masters’s level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
• It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

 

LopesWrite Policy

• For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
• Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
• Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
• Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

• The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
• Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
• If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
• I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
• As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

• Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me: 
  • Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
  • Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.