Things we already know

• Wind is what state of matter?

• Convection currents occur in __________ or ____________

Other things we know

- Cold air is more dense than warm air

- As air is warmed it rises

Things are heated at different rates by the

sun!

The basics of wind

• View the website http://www.windpower.org/en/kids/choose/wind/index.htm

• Read for information :

Pages 536-540 in your textbook

and fill in your notes sheet

with your elbow buddy

• Winds are caused by differences in air pressure

• Differences in air pressure are caused by unequal heating of the atmosphere

• Air over a heated surface becomes less dense and rises, cool dense air falls and causes wind

• Wind directions is measured using a wind vane

• Wind speed is measured using an anemometer

• Wind-chill factor is caused because wind removes heat as it blows over your body

• Local winds blow over short distances

• Caused by unequal heating within small areas, near mountains or water

• Sea breeze- when the wind blows from an ocean or lake towards the land; happens in the day when the land warms faster than the water

• Land breeze- happens at night when the land cools more quickly than the water; wind blows from the land to the water