Download PDF at The Homeschool Daily (.com) under slideshows http://thehomeschooldaily.com/slideshows/ Everyone has preconceived ideas and notions about what the study of meteorology is. Sometimes the best way to introduce a topic of study is to debunk the myths that students already have ingrained in their mind as fact. Students can develop misconceptions from television shows, books, or even their own sense of creativity. Where do you think the saying, "It's easier to teach an old dog new tricks," comes from. It is always easier to teach someone who doesn't know anything about a topic than to un-teach what a student thinks they already know about something. Crazy, huh? Check out The Homeschool Daily for more teaching resources. Happy learning!

1. Meteorology
Misconceptions
Created by Marie @ The Homeschool Daily

2. Brainstorm as many words
or phrases that you can
think of when you hear the
word, “Meteorology.”

3. What words did you brainstorm
for the term, “Meteorology?”
• Weather
• Climate
• Tornadoes
• Hurricanes
• Humidity
• Air pressure
• Precipitation
• Temperature
• Wind
• Thunderstorms
• Clouds
• Air masses
• Cold front
• Warm front
• Altitude
• Atmosphere
• Heat transfer
• Greenhouse effect

4. Let’s look at 10 common
Meteorology Misconceptions

5. Meteorology
Misconception #1
Misconception
•Meteorology is the
study of meteors.
Truth

6. Meteorology
Misconception #1
Misconception
•Meteorology is the
study of meteors.
Truth
•Meteorology is the
study of weather.

7. •Our atmosphere traps
the heat from the sun.
Misconception Truth
Meteorology
Misconception #2

8. •Our atmosphere traps
the heat from the sun.
Misconception Truth
•Our atmosphere absorbs
the radiation from the
sun, heating the Earth.
Meteorology
Misconception #2

9. •Rain clouds move
around the Earth and
eventually come back
to us.
Meteorology
Misconception #3
Misconception Truth

10. •Rain clouds move
around the Earth and
eventually come back
to us.
• Rain clouds form as
water droplets
condense into vapor
in the atmosphere.
When the atmosphere
can no longer support
the weight of the
droplets, they fall as
rain.
Meteorology
Misconception #3
Misconception Truth

11. •Seasons are caused
when the Earth moves
closer to and farther
from the Sun.
Meteorology
Misconception #4
Misconception Truth

12. •Seasons are caused
when the Earth moves
closer to and farther
from the Sun.
• Seasons are caused by
the tilt of the Earth on its
axis as it rotates around
the Sun. This tilt changes
the angle of the Sun’s
rays striking the Earth.
Meteorology
Misconception #4
Misconception Truth

13. •We should not be
concerned with events
that occur on the other
side of the planet
because they have no
effect on us.
Meteorology
Misconception #5
Misconception Truth
What happens over there won’t
bother us!

14. •We should not be
concerned with events
that occur on the other
side of the planet
because they have no
effect on us.
Meteorology
Misconception #5
Misconception Truth
What happens over there won’t
bother us!
• Events, such as volcanic
eruptions can have
global effects on
weather patterns and
climate throughout the
world.

15. •The air around the top
of a very high mountain
is exactly the same as
the air around the
bottom of the mountain.
Meteorology
Misconception #6
Misconception Truth
The air is the same at the top
and bottom.

16. •The air around the top
of a very high mountain
is exactly the same as
the air around the
bottom of the mountain.
•The properties of the
atmosphere, such as
pressure and
temperature, change as
elevation changes.
Meteorology
Misconception #6
Misconception Truth
The air is the same at the top
and bottom.

17. •Only clouds that
produce rain contain
water.
Meteorology
Misconception #7
Misconception Truth

18. •Only clouds that
produce rain contain
water.
•All clouds are
condensed water
molecules.
Meteorology
Misconception #7
Misconception Truth

19. •The oceans have no
effect on our climate.
Meteorology
Misconception #8
Misconception Truth
Oceans have no effect
on the climate.

20. •The oceans have no
effect on our climate.
• Because the oceans are
such large bodies of water,
they hold a massive amount
of heat. Therefore, the
oceans have a great impact
on climates.
Meteorology
Misconception #8
Misconception Truth
Oceans have no effect
on the climate.

21. •The Sun’s rays hit the
Earth the same
throughout the year.
Meteorology
Misconception #9
Misconception Truth

22. •The Sun’s rays hit the
Earth the same
throughout the year.
• The angle of the Sun’s rays
striking the Earth changes
throughout the year. This is
because the Earth rotates
on a tilted axis and revolves
around the Sun causing our
seasons.
Meteorology
Misconception #9
Misconception Truth

23. •Clouds are only found
in the sky.
Meteorology
Misconception #10
Misconception Truth

24. •Clouds are only found
in the sky.
•Clouds can form very
close to the surface of
the Earth (fog).
Meteorology
Misconception #10
Misconception Truth
Clouds can
be in the sky
and or
touching the
ground.

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“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the
Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching
of his understanding.” Isaiah 40: 28