Thunderstorms Miss Spinelli’s 4th Grade Science Class

Objectives:You will be able to define thunderstorms.You will have a better understanding of lighting and thunder.You will be able to analyze what is happening before a storm.

Click to interact!

What is a Thunderstorm??

A thunderstorm is small storm that is formed from a cumulonimbus cloud. It produces heavy rains and…Lightening & Thunder

Click on the lightening to hear a real thunderstorm!

What do you think causes thunderstorms?

Warm air?

Cold air?

Both?

Click on them to find out more!

Yes! Warm air is needed to produce a thunderstorm, but we willneed something else. Click back to see what else is needed!

GO BACK

Yes! Cold air is needed to produce a thunderstorm, but we willneed something else. Click back to see what else is needed!

GO BACK

Both warm and cold are needed! A thunderstorm is created when a cold front (from cold air) quickly pushes warm air upward.

Cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorm clouds) are very large, so when areas of positive and negative charges build up, sudden sparks/electrical discharges are created, these sparks are also known as lightning.

Lightening can be very dangerous

During a thunderstorm lightening can heat up the air directly around it up to 30,000 degrees!

Stay away from electrical devices during storms and large bodies of water!

Click on the link below to watch thunder and lightening in action!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNYdZqLLLyQ

Thunder happens when atmospheric gases are suddenly heated up by the discharge of lightening.

Interesting facts about Thunderstorms:There are about 1800

thunderstorms happening at the same time across the world

We can see lightening before we hear the sound of thunder. Why? Because light travels faster than sound!

Find more facts here!www.buzzle.com/articles/thunderstorm-facts.html

Some thunderstorms produce hail. It can be as big as a golf ball and can fall at a speed more than 100 mph!

Lightening can strike outside of the storm area up to 10 miles away from where the rain is falling!

Dutchtrainmanserie22. (n.d.). YouTube - thunderstorm and lightning video w/ pics . YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNYdZqLLLyQ

Shandilya, R. (n.d.). Thunderstorm Facts. Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ thunderstorm-facts.htm

Thunderstorm Facts. (n.d.). Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/thunderstorm- facts.html

Today. (n.d.). Thunderstorm Facts. Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/thunderstorm- facts.htm

Zavisa, J. (n.d.). HowStuffWorks "Lightning Pictures". Howstuffworks "Science". Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/lightning9.htm

Sources:

Standards: NETS www.iste.org2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

OH- Ohio Academic Content Standards

• Subject : Science

• Standard : Earth and Space Sciences: Students demonstrate an understanding about how Earth systems and processes interact in the geosphere resulting in the habitability of Earth. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the composition of the Universe, the Solar System and Earth. In addition, it includes understanding the properties and the interconnected nature of Earth’s systems, processes that shape the Earth and Earth’s history. Students also demonstrate an understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter, motion and forces explain Earth systems, the Solar System, and the Universe. Finally, they grasp an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with Earth and space sciences.

• Grade : Grade Four

• Area : Earth Systems

 Grade Level Indicator : 7: Describe the weather which accompanies

cumulus, cumulonimbus, cirrus and stratus clouds.