SI-Earth's Atmosphere & Global Patterns

C. jet stream

A _______ is a quick-moving ribbon of air that moves from west to east high in the atmosphere. This air current constantly bends and dips down to move weather systems around. A. torrent B. global wind C. jet stream D. ribbon wind

B. warmer; cooler

A city along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean experiences a seasonal high of 76°F in the summer. The city experiences a seasonal low of 23°F in the winter. Another city is 60 miles inland and at the same latitude and elevation. This city will probably experience _______ summer highs and _______ winter lows. A. warmer; warmer B. warmer; cooler C. cooler; cooler D. cooler; warmer

B. Air pressure decreases as altitude increases.

Air is made up of gas particles. These particles exert pressure on every object they collide against. This pressure is known as air pressure. Which of the following statements about air pressure is true? A. The atmosphere's air pressure does not vary. B. Air pressure decreases as altitude increases. C. Warm air tends to have a higher air pressure than cold air. D. Air pressure increases as altitude increases.

B. always decreases

As the amount of water vapor in the air increases, the pressure of the air _______. A. decreases, then increases B. always decreases C. always increases D. increases, then deceases

A. the uneven heating of the Earth.

Convection currents, which affect weather and climate, are created by A. the uneven heating of the Earth. B. erosion of ocean beaches. C. mining of the seafloor. D. slow, constant tectonic movement.

The Gulf Stream passes from the Gulf of Mexico, northward along the coast of eastern North America, and eastward toward Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. Without the Gulf Stream, these regions would be colder than they are. How does the Gulf Stream keep these regions warm? A. It absorbs cold temperatures from the land. B. It washes floating ice sheets away from the coasts. C. It encourages evaporation, which makes the land dry and warm. D. It brings warm water, which heats the overlying air.

D. It brings warm water, which heats the overlying air.

A. nitrogen, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases.

Earth's atmosphere is composed of A. nitrogen, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases. B. water, liquid oxygen, and trace amounts of other liquids. C. carbon dioxide, ozone, and magnesium. D. iron, oxygen, and silicon.

D. uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

Global winds are directly caused by the Earth's rotation and A. the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. B. uneven precipitation rates. C. the Moon's phases. D. uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

C. the Coriolis effect

Global winds are found in each convection region. Because convection cells are in a set place in the atmosphere and the Earth is spinning on its axis, the winds appear to curve. The apparent curving of the winds is called _______. A. atmospheric curving B. the Curvature effect C. the Coriolis effect D. the global wind effect

B. Air at higher elevations is less dense, and therefore it holds less heat.

In what way does elevation affect climate? A. Air at higher elevations is less dense, and therefore it holds more heat. B. Air at higher elevations is less dense, and therefore it holds less heat. C. Air at higher elevations is more dense, and therefore it holds less heat. D. Air at higher elevations is more dense, and therefore it holds more heat.

C. convection

Solar energy heats the surface of the Earth, including the ground, rocks, and even roadways. As the temperature of these surfaces increases, heat energy is released back into the atmosphere, forming a pocket of warm air. As the warm air pocket rises, it is replaced by cooler air. This process is responsible for many of the weather patterns in our atmosphere, and is known as A. evaporation. B. transpiration. C. convection. D. conduction.

C. The ocean moderates air temperatures.

Some coastal regions of the world have cooler summers and warmer winters than inland regions at the same latitude. What accounts for this difference in climates? A. Coastal areas receive more sunlight. B. Prevailing winds moderate the weather. C. The ocean moderates air temperatures. D. Coastal areas are always flat.

A. convection

Sunlight heats the ground, and the ground warms the nearby air. The warm air expands and rises, while cool air rushes in to take its place. The example above describes the process that generates many surface winds. Surface winds are an example of _______ in the Earth's atmosphere. A. convection B. conduction C. radiation D. condensation

D. They would feel wind as the air moves.

The atmosphere is heated both by the Sun and by the Earth's surface. Water radiates heat differently than land, so the air temperature over the ocean is usually different than the air temperature over land. The difference in air temperature over land compared to over water causes convection currents in the atmosphere. How would a person at the beach experience these convection currents? A. They would feel that the sand is hot. B. They would feel that the water is cold. C. They would feel the heat of the Sun. D. They would feel wind as the air moves.

D. It snows less in Green Bay than in Kalamazoo on average.

The average annual snowfall values for four different cities are shown in the table below. Average Annual Snowfall City: Green Bay Snowfall: 47.7 City: Bristol Snowfall: 46.8 City: Buffalo Snowfall: 93.6 City: Kalamazoo Snowfall: 68.8 Which of the following conclusions could be made from this data? A. It snows less in Buffalo than in Bristol on average. B. It snows more in Green Bay than in Buffalo on average. C. It snows more in Kalamazoo than in Buffalo on average. D. It snows less in Green Bay than in Kalamazoo on average.

B. Madison's summer climate is wetter than Boulder's.

The average monthly rainfall during the summer months in Boulder, Colorado and in Madison, Wisconsin are shown in the graph below. Which of the following conclusions could be made from this data? A. It is hotter in Madison than in Boulder during the winter. B. Madison's summer climate is wetter than Boulder's. C. It is hotter in Madison than in Boulder during the summer. D. Madison's summer climate is drier than Boulder's.

C. The atmosphere is composed of masses of air particles that are constantly circulating.

The envelope of gases surrounding Earth is known as the atmosphere. Which of the following statements accurately describes the atmosphere? A. The atmosphere is composed entirely of nitrogen and oxygen, which react to form ozone. B. The atmosphere is composed of masses of air particles that move very little, if at all. C. The atmosphere is composed of masses of air particles that are constantly circulating. D. The atmosphere is composed of several layers that increase in density as altitude increases.

B. temperature decreases as altitude increases.

The graph below shows how temperature changes with altitude in the Earth's atmosphere. Examine the graph, and then answer the question that follows. In the troposphere, A. temperature stays the same as altitude increases. B. temperature decreases as altitude increases. C. temperature increases as altitude increases. D. temperature alternately increases and decreases as altitude increases.

D. On a sunny day, the air over a lake will be cooler than the air over the bordering land.

The lower atmosphere is mostly warmed by radiated heat from Earth's surface. However, water heats up and cools down more slowly than land. Knowing this, which of the following statements is most likely true? A. On a sunny day, the air over a piece of land will be cooler than the air over a bordering lake. B. On a cloudy day, the air over a northern section of the ocean will be warmer than the air over a southern section of the ocean. C. On a cloudy day, the air over a southern section of the ocean will be warmer than the air over a northern section of the ocean. D. On a sunny day, the air over a lake will be cooler than the air over the bordering land.

B. weather, climate

The pattern of _______ in an area over a long period of time is called _______. A. climate, temperature B. weather, climate C. climate, weather D. weather, rain

A. the force of gravity pulling air molecules toward the Earth's surface

The term air pressure is used to refer to the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the Earth's surface. What creates air pressure? A. the force of gravity pulling air molecules toward the Earth's surface B. the magnetic field of the Earth attracting air molecules to the planet's surface C. the rotation of the Earth pushing air molecules against the planet's surface D. the weight of space pressing against the top of the Earth's atmosphere

C. the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place.

Weather is best defined as A. the study of the entire atmosphere and how it changes over time. B. a pattern of regional temperature, precipitation, and humidity. C. the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place. D. a prediction of atmospheric conditions in the coming season.

D. Cool air rushes in to replace the rising warm air.

When sunlight strikes the ground it warms the ground and the air near it. The warm air near the ground then rises as it expands. What does this process typically result in on the ground? A. Floodwater rushes in to cool the hot surface. B. Clouds push the warm air back to the ground. C. Freezing conditions near the ground generate a high pressure system. D. Cool air rushes in to replace the rising warm air.

B. oxygen

Which of the choices below is one of the primary gases found in the atmosphere? A. argon B. oxygen C. carbon dioxide D. helium

D. The Sun heats up the air at different rates, and the atmosphere undergoes changes to equalize temperatures and pressures.

Which of the following factors drives all the weather on Earth, including large-scale storms and local weather systems? A. The ocean holds thermal energy more efficiently than land. B. The Coriolis effect curves the motion of wind due to the Earth's rotation. C. The greenhouse effect ensures that some thermal energy will always be trapped near the Earth's surface. D. The Sun heats up the air at different rates, and the atmosphere undergoes changes to equalize temperatures and pressures.

D. barometer

Which of the following instruments is used to measure atmospheric pressure? A. anemometer B. hygrometer C. thermometer D. barometer

A. water vapor

Which of these is always present in the atmosphere? A. water vapor B. hail C. sleet D. snow