Week 3 Seasons and temperature controls

 

This page presents week 3 learning activities and assignments.  Carefully working through this page will help you understand homework, online quizzes, and future exam questions.   All assignments are due on Monday at 11:55 PM of week 4 (May 1).

 

unit instructions and learning activities Assignment
3.1

Some quick questions to assess your understanding

True/False Earth’s seasons (summer winter) are a result of the fact that Earth's orbit is in the shape of an ellipse. This causes Earth to be a little bit closer to the Sun in summer than in winter.            

Why is it warmer in the summer  than in the winter?
a. The Earth's orbit is in the shape of an ellipse, so that sometimes the Earth is a little bit closer to the Sun in summer than in winter.
b. The axis of the Earth’s rotation is tilted to the plane of its orbit around the sun. This causes days to be longer in summer and sunlight reaching Earth’s surface to be more direct.
c. Both a and b are correct
                                                      

 
3.2

 

Watch the YouTube video Seasons from NASA   Here is another good resource SeasonsAnimation  An important point that is not explicitly stated in either of these two links is that the Earth's spin axis always points in the same direction (toward the North Star) throughout the year.

 

Here's another short video explaining why our winters are shorter than our summers in the Northern hemisphere.

 

 
3.3

Reading:  Chapter 3 (up to page 65 "Daily Temperature Variations)

Powerpoint:  Chapter 3A.   Work through and read comments and notes

Study quiz (with answers) these are examples of more challenging questions

Review: Seasons Summary

 

After completing the reading and power-point lesson above you should be able to answer quiz3A questions on Canvas.

yes
3.4

 

Reading:  Chapter 3 (from Daily Temperature Variations to end of Chapter)

Power Point Temperature Controls Chapter3B Work through and read comments and notes

 

Key terms Chapter 3: 

 

After completing the reading and power-point lesson above you should be able to answer quiz3B questions on Canvas
yes
3.5

Sun Path Activity  (20 pts)  Make your graphs in Excel video (2:20)  Here's an excel template for easy graphing.   submit via Canvas

yes
3.6  Lab for week 3: see Labs  (We will do this in lab during our face to face meeting and handouts will be provided) 

Lab3HW  (8 pts)  submit via Canvas

 
3.7 Start thinking about your Weather Story for the Weather Story assignment   This is due Monday at the beginning of Week7 (May  22)

Don't forget Exam #1 available online through Canvas from Fri Apr 28 throughWednesday  May 3  Exam # 1 will have questions from Chapters 1 through 3.

 Don't forget our week 3 and 4 discussion, see Canvas Unit 3.  Post your original post during week 3 and reply to at least two other posts after you post your original post.  All replies are due by Monday of week 5.

Yes

 

Yes

 

yes

3.8 Extra Credit Ideas:

1.  Write a summery of the wind chill factor and heat index.  What are they and why are they useful in describing weather conditions.  Include pictures with your summary. (8 pts max)

2.  Write a summary describing different methods used to protect crops from the Cold.  Try to go beyond the ext on this and do a web search.  Include pictures with your summary.  (8 pts max)

3.  Design a solar-heated home that sits on the North side of an east-west running street.  Assuming the home to be located at 46 degrees draw a proper roof angle for maximum solar heating.  Design windows, doors, overhangs, and rooms with the intent of reducing heating and cooling costs.  Place trees around the home that will block out excess summer sunlight and yet let winter sunlight inside.  Choose a paint color for the house that will add to your home's energy efficiency.  Explain your reasoning for each design decision. (up to 12 pts)