Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
For this assessment, read the “Twister Science” article
about how meteorologists are learning about what makes a tornado. Make sure to answer the questions in complete sentences using evidence from the original source article. Please note that using evidence from the article does not mean this is copied word for word. Make sure you summarize in your own words and do not solely rely on quoting information.
1.
What does it mean when air is “unstable”? Describe what happens to the unstable air and how that might contribute to the formation of a tornado. Use evidence from the article to support your answer and be sure to discuss energy flow. (5 points)
When air is unstable, it means it is warmer when closer to the ground, rather than higher up. This can contribute to the formation of a Tornado because the warm air can rise, similar to a hot air balloon, as stated in the article.
2.
Explain why some meteorologists who study tornadoes have to chase the storms, sometimes to dangerous areas. (5 points)
Some meteorologists who study tornadoes have to chase the storms because they need to see them in real life, to better understand them. They cannot make tornadoes in front of them in their labs, so they must go out and chase the real ones. 3.
Describe one hypothesis that was tested during the VORTEX study. What was the outcome? Did scientists learn something new? Cite evidence from the article to support your answer. (5 points)
Something that was tested during the VORTEX study was, “
meteorologists thought a warm updraft lifting a rotating tube of air until it was perpendicular to the ground was enough to make a tornado.” (Twisted Science) Using data from the VORTEX study, meteorologists found out that tornado formation isn’t that simple.
4.
Compare the accuracy and frequency of tornado warnings now with those in the past. How have changes in the warning system helped keep residents safe? (5 points)
Tornado warnings now, versus in the past, are very different. In the past, the tornado warning came before 1 out of 4 tornados. Now, the tornado warning came before 3 out of 4 tornados. Changes in the warning system have helped keep residents safe by becoming more accurate with the warnings and warning times, making people go to shelter if needed.
