Use the table to answer the question. Day Observations 1 sunny and warm 2 cloudy and rainy 3 drop in temperature 4 clear skies and cold temperatures A student tracks the daily weather. The student’s observations are logged in the table. Which factor in the atmosphere best explains the student’s observations?

Based on the observations logged in the table, we can analyze the weather conditions:

1. Day 1: Sunny and warm
2. Day 2: Cloudy and rainy
3. Day 3: Drop in temperature
4. Day 4: Clear skies and cold temperatures

The changes in weather conditions from sunny to cloudy and rainy, followed by a drop in temperature and ending with clear but cold skies, suggest fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and the presence of weather fronts.

The factor in the atmosphere that best explains these observations is air pressure changes and the movement of weather fronts. The transition from sunny weather to cloudy and rainy weather typically indicates the arrival of a cold front, which can lead to a drop in temperature afterward, as seen on Day 3. Clear skies with cold temperatures on Day 4 may indicate the settling of high pressure after the front passes.

In summary, the varying weather conditions recorded by the student can be attributed to the influences of shifting air masses and pressure systems in the atmosphere.