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Hurricane Heat Energy

Grade level: 5-8
Theme: water cycle
Video: hurricane_heat_engine.flv

This animation depicts the hurricane heat energy process. As water vapor is evaporated from the warm ocean surface, it is forced upward in towering convective clouds in the eyewall and rain band regions of the storm. As the water vapor changes from a gas to a liquid (cloud water), latent heat is released (shown by orange "blobs").

The release of latent heat warms the surrounding air, making it lighter, which promotes updrafts (shown as blue arrows) and vigorous cloud development.

Red arrows show areas of low atmospheric pressure. It is suspected that rapid bursts of cloud growth, particularly in the eyewall region of hurricanes, may relate to the intensification phase of a storm. (source)

Read Prerequisite Knowledge (p. 2-4).
 
Student Outcomes 
After viewing this video, students should be able to:

Explain the energy conversions found in the water cycle (e.g., evaporation requires heat energy, condensation releases heat energy). (W: 5-8)

Key:  C = climate / O = ocean circulation / T = 21st century technology / W = water cycle