The geographical processes relevant to the issue

Learning Activities

Outcomes and Indicators

Use 4G2-Global Environments and Communities together with the specified pages from Airwatch-make the link to:

Review atmospheric processes

• Locating the layers (p.8) (atmos_1.pdf 34kb)
• Looking at the layers (p.9) (atmos_2.pdf 54kb)

Define good air quality

• The air we breathe (p.24) (airpoll_1.pdf 51kb)

Introduce the elements of poor air quality-this includes indoor and outdoor (ambient) air quality:

• Particulate matter (p.26) (airpoll_3.pdf 41kb)
• Pollutant gases (pp.31-36) (airpoll_8.pdf 107kb)

5.5 Explains the geographical processes that form and transform Australian environments

• Identifies the key processes that operate in the atmosphere
• Explains how these key processes contribute to good air quality

Look at the geographical processes that affect air quality

Weather

• What about the weather (p.10) (atmos_3.pdf 49kb)
• Why air moves (p.11) (atmos_4.pdf 56kb)
• It's a breeze (p.12) (atmos_5.pdf 56kb)
• Wind direction (p.14) (atmos_7.pdf 66kb)
• Estimating wind speed (p.15) (atmos_8.pdf 55kb)
• Calculating wind speed (p.16) (atmos_9.pdf 58kb)
• Synoptic weather systems (p.13) (atmos_6.pdf 55kb)
• Predicting the weather (p.17) atmos_10.pdf 37kb)
• Turbulent times (p.18) (atmos_11.pdf 45kb)
• Inversion layers (p.19) atmos_12.pdf 61kb)
• (www.bom.gov.au/lam/Students_Teachers/learnact.htm for more activities and information

Topography

• The shape of the land (pp.20-22) (atmos_13.pdf 151kb)

Teachers wishing to conduct fieldwork during the unit should develop a research action plan with students and then commence gathering and processing data (see last section for greater detail).

5.1 Identifies, gathers and evaluates geographical information

• Uses the internet to gather appropriate information on local weather conditions

5.2 Analyses, organises and synthesises geographical information

• Explains how weather and topography affects air pollution

5.5 Explains the geographical processes that form and transform Australian environments

• Explains how the key processes of the atmosphere are affected by the elements of poor air quality
• Demonstrates the ability to generalise the information from weather charts (reading interpreting and predicting) to weather in the local area