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Chapter 18: Problem 2

What are the main components of our weather, and how is weather related to climate?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The main components of weather include temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and atmospheric pressure. Weather refers to the short-term state of these components, whereas climate is the weather of a place averaged over a long period of time. Thus, weather and climate are interrelated, with the latter being a long-term reflection of the former.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Weather

Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place. This includes elements like temperature, humidity, precipitation (rain, snow, etc), wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure.
02

Identifying Components of Weather

The main components of weather are: (1) Temperature, which is the measurement of warmth or coldness of an object or substance with reference to some standard value; (2) Precipitation, encompassing all forms of water, liquid or solid, that fall from clouds; (3) Humidity, indicating the amount of water vapor in the air; (4) Wind - the movement of air from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, with its speed and direction both being integral parts; (5) Atmospheric Pressure, referring to the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on the earth's surface.
03

Understanding Climate

Climate is defined as the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. It is the cumulative and long-term conditions of weather patterns in a region.
04

Explaining the Interrelation

Weather and climate are interrelated because weather constitutes the day-to-day state of the atmosphere, and its short-term variation in minutes to weeks, while climate is the weather of a place averaged over a period of time, often 30 years. Climate patterns indicate the long-term prognostication of atmospheric conditions in a region based on the cumulative data of its weather components over long periods.

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