Chapter U3.1, Problem 1E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : Substances necessary for a planet to have weather are to be written.

Concept Introduction : Weather is a very complicated phenomenon. It refers to clouds, winds, temperature and precipitation in a region at a given time. Weather is a result of interaction between Earth, the atmosphere, Sun and water. Weather is a part of our everyday lives. Weather occurs when matter undergoes changes in location, density, phase, temperature, volume, and pressure.

Answer to Problem 1E

Substances necessary for a planet to have weather are:

1. Atmosphere
2. Water
3. Sun

Explanation of Solution

Weather is a result of interaction between Earth, the atmosphere, Sun and water. Substances necessary for a planet to have weather are:

1. Atmosphere- A planet must have atmosphere to have weather. Moon has no weather because it has no atmosphere. An atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet. Atmosphere of Earth consist of air which is composed of a mixture of gases. It consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon, 0.04 % carbon dioxide and some trace gases. About 1% of the atmosphere is water vapor.
2. Water- Weather is movement of air and water. So water is very important for a planet to have weather. Water shows up as snow, ice, rain, clouds, fog and water vapor. Water undergoes change in physical state. It changes phases from solid to liquid to gas.
3. Sun- Physical changes in the atmosphere cause weather. These physical changes can be change in volume, temperature, shape, size and pressure. These changes are possible due to heating of the Earth by the Sun. Hence Sun is very important for a planet to have weather.

Conclusion

Weather is different from climate as climate is overall weather trends of a region over long periods of time while weather is a day to day phenomenon.