November 5th
Some Thoughts on November 4th’s Entry
I don’t know if I have been as excited as today to post another entry. Seriously. Now I know you all are really saying, “This guy is really losing it!” I had such a good response to yesterday’s post, like an awesome classroom discussion, (you know, where every question and comment brings learning to another level), that I couldn’t wait to get back on here.
All of your observations on that 5 day forecast were awesome, much more analytical than me. Rain now is common in the forecast, although the amount we have gotten so far has been minimal. You really can’t tell unless you look at the vehicles. Remember, deep down I am a simplistic person. The one thing about yesterday’s weather here, and it would have been obvious if you had boots on the ground, was that it was cool. We had people wrapped up, wearing extra layers, shivering (you can definitely tell I am from Wisconsin on days like these). If you look at the Low/High temperatures, you can see it was pretty low, even in the desert environment. Least I thought so. Why this all transpired, well, that is why I pay Jim Lund to be my resident expert.
Why? Because I don’t know the answer. I have always been a “why” guy. Don’t tell me that something happens, it means nothing to me until you tell me why; then I understand. I need to make connections. Sometimes in the course of my short life, I will catch people off guard when I ask, “Why?” My biggest frustration is when there is no “why.” Chances are you will lose me. If I am confused, you are going to get the “why” from me, guaranteed. With that said, based on some of your comments yesterday, I had some “why’s“. Be forewarned, some of the questions may be simplistic in nature.
November 4th Jeopardy?
1. Why doesn’t it snow in Kuwait? (scientifically speaking, I know because it is warm here)
2. Why is a knot used for wind measurement?
3. Why doesn’t sand turn to mud when it rains? And how much rain would it take here to create a mud-like affect?
4. Why is chemical dispersion included in the weather forecast? Is it important to know? And does it have any impact on the weather?
5. Why is there freezing fog? (Now I know Jim nailed this one and Heather added to it, but where did it come into play on the 5 day weather forecast?)
6. Why do we represent chemical dispersion through arrows?
7. Why is there still a need for DST? (Daylight Savings Time)
8. Why have the leaves fallen in greater masses in Wisconsin this year? (not gradually like usual, but in one big wave)
9. Why does wind play such an important factor in the weather? What would it be like if there was no wind?
10. Where in the world is SSG William Yedinak?
OK, so there is one where question, which just may be the most difficult! Hope you are all doing well and that you are walking South in a wind coming out of the North.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Here goes the early morning science lesson. These are exactly the questions i want my students to ask. Maybe you can audit a science class when you get back:)
1. Kuwait is located close to the equator so it gets more direct rays from the sun year round. More sun equals more energy thus a higher average temperature. Water doesn’t freeze until the temperature reaches 32 F or 0 C. There are some places on the equator that receive snow but they are in the high mountains where the air is thinner and doesn’t retain the sun’s energy. (There is another reason but it is very lengthy to explain) The Andes in Ecuador and Peru are an example.
2.. From Wikipedia- Although the unit knot does not fit within the primary SI system, its retention for nautical and aviation use is important for navigational reasons, since the length of a nautical mile is almost identical to a minute of latitude. As a result, distance in nautical miles on a navigational chart can easily be measured by using dividers and the latitude indicators on the side of the chart.
Nautical speed is sometimes erroneously expressed as “knots per hour” which would actually be a measure of acceleration, as in “nautical miles per hour per hour.”
3.. Sand won’t turn to mud because mud is composed of smaller particle(clay or silt) that retain the water better. ie . don’t let it soak in. The particle of sand are larger and even when they are tightly packed there are larger spaces between the spaces so the water can flow through it. That is why you see the irrigation sprinklers in central Wisconsin. It has sandy soil due to the last glacier.
4. Chemical dispersion is just how the poisonous gas would move in the case of an explosion or toxic gas release. It is the same as the wind direction for the day.
5.From Heather’s response. Whenever there is a large difference in the air temperature and ground temperature you will have fog if there is enough available moisture.
6. It is basically wind direction. For the more reading challenged viewers.
7. DST is mainly an energy conservation measure so you don’t need to have your lights on as much during your waking hours.
8. We had a lot of strong wind and rain at the time the leaves were ready to drop which dislodged most of the leaves all at once. If we would have had calmer weather the leaves would have taken longer to drop.
9. Wind is due to the difference in air pressure. Wind is the movement of air from higher pressure to lower pressure. High pressure forms when air is denser and sinks. Low pressure occurs when air rises from the surface. When it rises into the atmosphere it cools and water vapor condenses. That is why cloudy days with precipatation occur during Low pressure and vice verse.
10. Hopefully back home in Waupun Wisconsin very soon:)
November 5th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
All I can say on that one is “WOW”!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Nicely done Kayla! I don’t think I can help out with this at all Yedi–but a couple of questions came to my mind while I was reading this as well.
1st my favorite why? questions that has no answer — “Why the green dot?” 2nd- when you talked about DST — my mind directly changed it to AST 3rd — Another question–Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? –what happened to this??? Hope all is well. Take care.
Heather
November 6th, 2009 at 3:45 am
WOW, WOW, WOW!! HOLD IT, MAN!!! I believe that is why I chose to teach Spanish!!! I declare myself (not without deep embarrassement) totally incompetent in this area… again, we feel lucky to have such a wonderful Science teacher in WAJHS!!! Thanks for throwing some of your light my way!!
Stay safe, and remember we are thinking of you!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 5:28 am
Okay, let me clarify something. It was Jim who had that much time to answer those questions. Mr. Smartypants just doesn’t know that he has to login all by himself. Marta obviously knows Jim well. All I can say is “Blah, blah, blah…”
Now here is a good question for Jim to answer,
1. Is the laundry done yet?
This is so much fun Bill!
I hope you are doing well.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Mrs. Lund! You are amazing! And, Mr. Lund, I am afraid that at this point, question #1 in your wife’s entry is the one that definitely you will have to have the right answer for!! We are proud of you, though!!
And yes, I agree! this is so much fun!!