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What Is Atmospheric Pressure? — Reading Comprehension

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Dive into the fascinating world of atmospheric pressure with this educational content, designed for 6th-grade students. This passage, titled "What Is Atmospheric Pressure?", defines key terms like 'atmosphere' and 'density,' explaining how air pressure is created and measured. Students will learn about the role of Earth's gravity in keeping our atmosphere close and how changes in atmospheric pressure influence weather conditions. Aligned with NGSS MS-ESS2-5, this resource includes an audio-integrated reading passage, multiple-choice questions, a glossary, and short answer questions to enhance comprehension and application of scientific concepts related to air masses and weather. It's an excellent tool for understanding the complex interactions that shape our daily weather.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Students explore air pressure with Earth, molecules, mountain and barometer. — Invisible air blanket pressing down, showing pressure differences and weather effects.

Imagine a giant, invisible blanket made of air wrapped around our planet. This blanket is called the atmosphere, and it's much heavier than you might think! Every living thing on Earth, and every object, has this blanket of air pressing down on it. That invisible force is what we call atmospheric pressure, also known as air pressure.

So, what exactly causes this pressure? It all comes down to two main things: air molecules and Earth's gravity. Air is made up of countless tiny molecules that are constantly moving. Because Earth's gravity pulls everything towards its center, these air molecules are pulled downwards. The more air molecules there are above a certain point, the more they weigh and the greater the pressure they exert. Think of it like a stack of books: the books at the bottom have more weight pressing down on them than the books at the top.

This means that atmospheric pressure is not the same everywhere. At sea level, there's a taller column of air above you, so the pressure is higher. As you go higher up a mountain, there are fewer air molecules above you, so the atmospheric pressure decreases. This is why your ears might pop when you travel up a mountain or in an airplane – it's your body adjusting to the change in air pressure.

Scientists measure atmospheric pressure using an instrument called a barometer. Barometers help us understand changes in weather. When a region has high pressure, it usually means clear skies and stable weather. This is because the air is sinking, which prevents clouds from forming. On the other hand, low pressure often brings cloudy, rainy, or stormy weather. In a low-pressure system, air is rising, allowing moisture to condense and form clouds.

Understanding atmospheric pressure is key to understanding weather patterns. It's a fundamental part of Earth's atmosphere and plays a crucial role in how air masses interact, leading to the various weather conditions we experience every day. Without this invisible force, our planet's weather would be very different indeed.

Interesting Fact: The total weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the Earth's surface is about 5.5 quadrillion tons, which is equivalent to the weight of approximately 100 million pyramids of Giza!

What is the invisible blanket of air around Earth called?

AtmosphereStratosphereBiosphereHydrosphere

What instrument measures atmospheric pressure?

ThermometerAnemometerBarometerRain gauge

Which force pulls air molecules downwards?

Magnetic forceEarth's gravityWind currentSolar radiation

What typically causes clearer skies?

Low pressureHigh pressureRising airMany clouds

Why does pressure decrease on a mountain?

Less gravityFewer air moleculesMore oxygenWarmer temperatures

What does a low-pressure system often bring?

Clear weatherSunny skiesRainy weatherNo wind