3.2- Convection currents and Hurricanes
Now that we know the ingredients needed to form a hurricane, how does it actually form?
Building a Hurricane
Step 1. The sun warms the ocean water to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2. The ocean water heats up and evaporates. The evaporating water forms a cloud of warm, moist air that moves upward.
Step 3. As the warm, moist air rises, more air rushes in to replace it. This air is also heated and moistened by the ocean surface.It begins to rise and cools. This cooling process called condensation form dense clouds.
Step 4. Eventually, a large mass of warm, moist air with rain clouds is formed over the ocean. The warm air expands and becomes less dense and lighter and forms an area of low pressure.
Step 5. More warm, moist air rushes in from the ocean surface. The air begins to spin because of the rotation of the earth. The air goes faster and faster as it spirals inward
Step 6. The whole storm, now spinning like a top, is carried across the ocean by the wind.As it moves across the warm ocean waters, it will continue to become stronger and stronger....
And a hurricane is born!
The Cycle of a Hurricane Simulation
Watch the following video and answer the following questions.
1. What happens to the heat as it rises?
2. What happens to the air as it cools?
3. What makes a hurricane spin?
1. What happens to the heat as it rises?
2. What happens to the air as it cools?
3. What makes a hurricane spin?
Convection Currents Video
convection_currents.wmv | |
File Size: | 1527 kb |
File Type: | wmv |
Assignment 7
After Reading the material and watching the videos, use the information from BOTH 3.1- Ingredients for Hurricane Formation and 3.2- Convection currents to create a diagram of hurricane formation.
Be sure to include and label:
Bring your diagram to class and be prepared to share with your peers.
Be sure to include and label:
- ALL the elements neccessary to form a hurricane: Wind, Sea temperature, location and humidity
- Movement of air masses ( convection currents)
- Transfer of heat
Bring your diagram to class and be prepared to share with your peers.