VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI SCHOOL

Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary SCIENCE 8 (EARTH SCIENCE)

Name: Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon MODULE 2 – 1ST QUARTER
____________________________ S.Y. 2021-2022

LESSON FOCUS POINTS:

• Explain how tropical cyclones form;

1 • Explain how typhoons develop;

• Describe the factors that affect a typhoon.

The word tropical cyclone is composed of two distinct words that completely describe its characteristic. The term “tropical” refers
to its geographical starting point, which is usually hot and humid; whereas “cyclone” is a meteorological term which refers to its cyclonic
circulation where the strong winds in the Northern Hemisphere circulate counter-clockwise and clockwise in Southern Hemisphere.
The tropical cyclone has different names in various parts of the world where it specifically developed:
• Hurricane—if it is formed in the North Atlantic Ocean
• Typhoon—when formed in Northwest Pacific Ocean
• Severe tropical cyclone—in the SouthEastern Indian
• Severe cyclonic storm—in the North Indian Ocean
• Tropical Cyclone—Southweat Indian Ocean
Here in the Philippines, we use typhoon or “bagyo.” The tropical cyclone undergoes a process of development called tropical
cyclogenesis. This process involves several requirements, which, if met, will lead to the formation of a storm:
• warm ocean surface with temperature of 26.5 C or 79.7 F to a depth of at least 50 meters below the surface.
• presence of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
• greater amount of water vapour in the air (high humidity) in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere
• weak vertical wind shear that is less than 10 m/s
Where Tropical Cyclone Originate?
From the word “tropical,” the tropical cyclone obviously occurs over warm waters around the world. Specifically it develops over
large ocean water with a surface temperature of at least 26 C, about 300 miles (500 km) away from the equator. Most tropical cyclones
occur in the area where the Northeasterly and Southeasterly trade winds converge. This area is called the ITCZ circulating near the equator,
and it is known for its lowest surface pressure, where the converging air ascends (causing low pressure on the earth’s surface).
Formation and Development of Typhoon
A tropical cyclone always starts over a large body of water which is relatively warm. The warm water powers the tropical cyclone.
The water rises once it turns into gaseous state. Then, it cools, causing the water vapour to condense into storm clouds, and it drops off as
rain. During the process of condensation, the latent heat is released which warms the cool air, making the air lighter and causing it to rise.
While it ascends, more warm air from the surface of the ocean moves into developing storm and continues the process of heat exchange,
creating a wind spiral pattern (counterclockwise) that spins around a calm area at the center of the storm, called eye. As a result of the
converging winds which collide near the water surface, more warm and most air are being pushed upward, hence, the circulation and speed
of wind increase. The speed of the wind continues to increase as the high-pressure is drawn into the low-pressure center of the storm. In
order for the tropical cyclone to develop into typhoon, it must pass through the following stages of progression:
STAGE 1: Tropical Disturbance
A tropical disturbance is a discrete weather system of clouds, showers, and thunderstorms, with an apparent circulation that
originates in the ocean in the tropical region, and remains intact for 24 hours or more.
STAGE 2: TROPICAL DEPRESSION
The tropical wave or tropical disturbance then evolves into tropical depression when thunderstorms are slightly more organized.
STAGE 3: TROPICAL STORM
The tropical storm receives an official name once sustained winds reach 39 mph in the closed circulation.
STAGE 4: TYPHOON, HURRICANE OR CYCLONE
As the tropical storm grows more intense, it takes more energy from its surroundings, it develops into a “matured” tropical cyclone
which can obtain a one-minute wind of at least 74 mph at an elevation of 10 meters.

LET’S DO THIS! ACTIVITY NO. 1

A. CONCEPT BLOCK. Complete the concept block below. Find some other sources on the internet to further develop and widen
your understanding about typhoons.
Topic Meaning/Origin Cause/Effect Place Visited/Affected

Typhoon

Storm

Hurricane

ITCZ

Humidity

Teacher: SIR KARL YRICK M. INDONILA

 LESSON FOCUS POINT:
• Infer why the Philippines is prone to typhoons.

2
Ever wonder why this country is so prone to typhoons to typhoons? The main reason is the topographical location of the Philippines
wherein it lies in the most tropical cyclone-prone waters on Earth, making it susceptible to typhoons. Geographically speaking, the Pacific
basin which is considered the world’s busiest typhoon belt, bounded on the west by the West Philippine Sea, on the east by the Pacific
Ocean, on the north of Bashi Channel, and on the south by the Sulu and Celebes Seas.
The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,107 islands, surrounded by warm waters from the Pacific Ocean which is suitable
for the development of low-pressure system that leads to typhoon. Similarly, the distance of the Philippines from the equator is the best
site for the Coriolis Effect, an apparent force that spins the cyclone.
The Role of PAGASA
It is very important for everybody to stay informed about the weather. That is why every day in the news, the weather. That is why
every day in the news, the weather forecaster always reports the weather condition in the country. All information regarding the weather
is provided by PAGASA. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA is a national service
institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The PAGASA is in charge of the listed duties below:
1. To maintain a nationwide monitoring and forecasting network concentrating on the weather and other climatological conditions
which may affect the safety, welfare, and economy of the country.
2. To conduct research on the formation, development and movement of typhoons.
3. To issue bulletins whenever there is a tropical cyclone spotted within the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
4. To release the tropical cyclone warnings in the form of Public Storm Warning Signals or PSWS.
The Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS)
The PSWS are hoisted before the corresponding meteorological conditions prevail over the locality. This is because the public must
be warned before the impending occurrence of the given typhoon. The bases for the assigned signal numbers are the intensity, size of
circulation, the forecast direction, and the speed of the storm.

THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

Signal Expected
Wind Speed
No. Time of Estimated Impacts of the Wind
(kph)
Occurrence
1 30-60 At least Twigs and branches of small trees are broken Some banana plants are tilted or downed Some
36hrs houses of very light materials partially unroofed Rice crops suffer significant damage in its
flowering stage

2 60-100 At least 24 Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed, some old
hrs galvanized iron roof may be peeled off, winds may bring light to moderate damage to exposed
communities, some coconut trees may be tilted while few are broken Few big trees may be
uprooted, many banana plants may be downed and rice and corn may be adversely affected.

3 100-185 At least 18 Many coconut trees broken or destroyed, almost all banana plants downed and a large
hrs number of trees uprooted, rice and corn crops suffer heavy losses, majority of all nipa and
cogon houses uprooted or destroyed; considerable damage to structures of light to medium
construction; widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services;
moderate to heavy damage experienced in agricultural and industrial sectors

4 >185 At least 12 Coconut plantation may suffer extensive damage; many large trees maybe uprooted; rice and
hrs corn plantation may suffer severe losses; most residential and institutional buildings of mixed
construction maybe severely damaged; electrical power distribution and communication
services maybe severely disrupted; damage to affected communities ca be very heavy

Weather Equipment Used for Weathering Monitoring

The listed instruments are some of the equipment that help PAGASA in monitoring the weather and gathering appropriate data of the
weather conditions in the country:
1. Doppler Weather Radars - these are installed in some strategic locations in the Philippines for closely monitoring the movements
of typhoons, the amount of rainfall, and other atmospheric conditions every day.
2. Automated Rain Gauge - It keeps track of excess rainfall to provide necessary warning signals, whether such rainfall can cause
flashfloods or landslides.
3. Landslide Early Warning Sensors (LEWS) - These are invented by the University of the Philippines, used to pick up signals which
can be read by the computer to show the movement of the soil and ground.
4. Automated Weather Station - This is adopted by the Philippine Western Bureau and the Department of Science and Technology
which work jointly to monitor the amounts of rainfall and flood levels.

Teacher: SIR KARL YRICK M. INDONILA

 LET’S DO THIS! ACTIVITY NO. 2

A. Answer the following:

1. What is the role of PAG-ASA? Lis down five.
2. PAG-ASA stands for - ______________________________________________
3. Search on the internet about destructive typhoons that hit the Philippines. Choose one and give its effect to the community
or environment. (5 sentences)
4. Draw or cut out five pictures of different equipment used for weathering monitoring. Paste it in a short bond paper. Name
the picture and write its uses.

LESSON FOCUS POINTS:

• Explain how landforms and bodies of water

3 affect typhoons;
• Trace the path of typhoons that enter the PAR
using a map and tracking data
TYPHOONS
The tropical location of the Philippines has a great effect to the existing weather and climatic condition in the country. Aside from
its latitudinal location, landforms and bodies of water have something to do with the typhoon that enters to the Philippine Area of
Responsibility. An average of 20 typhoons visit the country every year.
You already know that the perfect breeding ground for typhoon is an area where warm and humid air is present. The Western
North Pacific Ocean where the Philippines and other Asian countries are situated is the most active basin of tropical cyclone. The
development of tropical cyclones in the Philippines peaks during June to August and sometimes extends until December on where of ITCZ
is located.
The Philippine archipelago consists of islands surrounded by the bodies of water. There are areas in the Philippines that are
mountainous. In order to intensify the tropical cyclone, the region must be favourable for its development whereas in order to dissipate
the typhoon, it must enter an environment with cool dry air , move over a large and land mass, travel over cooler sea surface temperatures,
and move to the region with high vertical wind shear.
As the typhoon hits the mountainous region in the Philippines, it may reduce its strength due to the friction it encountered through
rough areas caused by the mountain ranges and forest rich in trees. Such mountainous places in the country are Western Cagayan, Eastern
Mountain Province, Southern Luzon, Masbate, and Mindanao. Their mountain ranges also cause the typhoon to decrease the wind strength
because the moisture in the wind are totally blocked making the air masses that reach them dry.
Batanes, Northeastern Luzon, Marinduque, and Northern Mindanao are areas open to big open seas and where forested mountain
ranges are found. As the typhoon passes through these regions, the weather disturbance may bring more rain due to the exposure to bodies
of water. However the strength of the typhoon’s wind may drop when the typhoon hit the forested mountain ranges in these provinces.
THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (PAR)
The PAGASA is tasked to monitor the occurrence of tropical cyclones and other weather disturbances within the Philippine Area
of Responsibility. PAR is designated area in the northwestern Pacific which is bound by an imaginary line drawn along the following
coordinates: 25o N—120oE, 25oN-135oE, 5oN—115 oE, 15 oN—115 oE and 21 oN—120 oE and back to the start. When the weather forecaster
reported that a certain typhoon enters the PAR, it does not mean the typhoon has entered the country per se. The PAGASA issues warnings
to the public once a typhoon enters the PAR and the agency will closely monitor all the tropical depressions, storms, typhoons, that will be
spotted within the PAR. The PAGASA is able to identify which areas of the country are likely to be affected by the storm in the next 24 hours.
Once the low-pressure area has developed into typhoon and entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the PAGASA will assign local
name to it.
The Damaging Effects of Typhoons
The more intensity a tropical cyclone has, the more destructive the effects it can bring. Severe tropical cyclones can cause large
number of casualties and extensive damage to the properties and crop plantations.
The most common effects of typhoons include the following:
1. Heavy Rainfall—It can elevate the water levels in rivers that may overflow leading to flashfloods, landslides, and mudslides as well.
2. Strong Winds—It can destroy vehicles, houses, and other buildings.
3. Storm Surges—The forces from the center of the typhoon can cause the rising of the sea level. As the strong wind interacts with
the sea and land at the same time, a storm surge can be generated.

LESSON FOCUS POINT:

• Describe the origin of the solar system based on different

4 theories.

The solar system refers to the Sun itself and every celestial object that revolves around it including the 8 planets and their natural
satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, etc. The Universal Law of Gravitation by Sir Isaac Newton explain what keeps the
celestial objects, particularly the planets, in orbit around the Sun. According to Newton, the gravitational pull or the force of attraction
exerted by the Sun to the planets, pulling them towards it, is one of the forces that hold the planets in orbit. The mass of the Sun is greater
than the mass of the smaller bodies such as the planets, causing the sun to exert the force. Another is the force of inertia or the force
exerted that keeps the planets moving and spinning. The gravity and inertia work together resulting to a stable planetary orbit.
How the Solar System Evolved
There are three significant people who formulated different theories to explain the beginning of the solar system. The three
theories suggest different studies about the early history of the creation of solar system.

Teacher: SIR KARL YRICK M. INDONILA

 1. The Planetisimal Theory was proposed in 1778 by Georges Comte de Buffon, a French scientist. This theory states that the solar
system was formed when the sun collided with another star causing the large masses of materials form the two stars to be thrown off into
space.
2. The Companion Star Theory, according to a British astronomer named Fred Hoyle, states that the sun once had a companion star
which exploded when it collided with the sun.
3. The Nebular Hypothesis was proposed by Marquis De Laplace, a French astronomer in 1976. According to him, a vast saucer-
shaped nebula (similar to a protostar) was swirling slowly in space when suddenly, it cooled and shrank, causing it to spin faster in space.
Due to the speed of its spin, the rings of materials broke away from its outer edge. Those rings gave rise to planets, and when the center of
the nebula condensed, it became the Sun.

LET’S DO THIS! ACTIVITY NO. 3

Plotting the PAR

Materials Needed:
map of the Philippines and pencil
Procedure:
1. Plot the following points on the map in Figure
2. Connect the plotted points.

Points Latitude, Longitude

A 5°N, 115°E

B 15°N, 115°E

C 21°N, 120°E

D 25°N, 120°E

E 25°N, 135°E

F 5°N, 135°E

A. Answer the following questions:

1. If a typhoon is located at 15°N, 138°E, is
it within the PAR? _______
2. How about if the typhoon is at 19°N,
117°E, is it inside the PAR? ________
3. What happens to typhoon once it
leaves the PAR? ___________________
__________________________________
__________________________________

LET’S DO THIS! ACTIVITY NO. 4

A. Draw the solar system in a short bond paper. Color your output.
B. Using the concepts of the theories of the origin of the solar system found in the lesson, complete the graphic organizer
below for them to easily understand it.
Theory Characteristics Discoverer

Make a Family Emergency Plan in case of a typhoon. Outline the safety measures before, during, and after. (Give at least five for
each.) Follow the format to be posted on our FB Group.

Teacher: SIR KARL YRICK M. INDONILA