Earth Science B - Earth's Atmosphere and Weather (Unit 2)
Which important indoor safety measure should be taken during a thunderstorm?
Move away from windows.
Which descriptions refer to fog? Select two options.
forms at or near the ground extends up to 10 miles into the sky
Which gas in Earth's atmosphere forms ozone? oxygen nitrogen water vapor carbon dioxide
oxygen
On a cold day, you go outside after a rainstorm and find pellets of ice on the ground. The pellets are all around 3 millimeters in diameter. Which type of precipitation are these pellets? snow hail sleet freezing rain
sleet
What causes differences in air pressure? the windchill factor the horizontal movement of air the speed at which wind moves the unequal heating of Earth's atmosphere
the unequal heating of Earth's atmosphere
Which condition causes changes in air pressure in the atmosphere? building clouds rapid air movement condensation of water vapor uneven heating of Earth's surface
uneven heating of Earth's surface
Which events are associated with tornadoes? Select two options.
wind speeds up to 300 mph paths of damage up to 50 miles long
Study the image. At which point are the doldrums located? 1 2 3 4
3 (pointing at the red dots in the center)
The layers of the atmosphere are characterized by changes in temperature). The troposphere experiences large changes in ozone (weather). Airplanes fly best in the troposphere (stratosphere). The temperature in the troposphere (decreases) the same as you go higher, and in the stratosphere, it decreases (increase) as you go higher.
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Which safety measures should you follow during a hurricane? Check all that apply. Avoid low-lying areas. Go to low-lying areas. If your home is on low ground, go to the roof. If your home is on low ground, go to a shelter. If you are inside, move away from windows. If you are inside, open doors and windows.
Avoid low-lying areas. If your home is on low ground, go to a shelter. If you are inside, move away from windows.
Which type of cloud forms close to the ground when the temperature is just above the dew point? cirrus cumulus fog stratus
B. fog
Which statements describe what will most likely occur when warm air cools and the temperature drops to the dew point? Select three choices. Clouds form. Air becomes more humid. Solid ice forms on leaves. Cumulus clouds disappear. Water droplets form on grass.
Clouds form. Solid ice forms on leaves. Water droplets form on grass.
Study the arrow that is circled in the image. The sun is in the sky. Clouds with blue arrows pointing down toward water. A circled arrow is pointing from the water inland. Red arrows are pointing up from the land to the sky. What happens at this point?
Cool air is sinking.
Which phrase defines altitude?
D. the height of a given point above sea level
Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) is a tool scientists use to forecast weather. Which statements describe GPM? Select three options. It is a computer model used to predict weather. It is a satellite that collects data about rain and snow. Its orbit covers 90 percent of Earth's surface. Its orbit covers 70 percent of Earth's surface. The sensors measure visible light. The sensors measure microwaves.
It is a satellite that collects data about rain and snow. Its orbit covers 90 percent of Earth's surface. The sensors measure microwaves.
What can happen to solar radiation when it enters Earth's atmosphere? Select three options.
It is absorbed by Earth. It is reflected by clouds. It is reflected by glacial ice.
How does the atmosphere protect life on Earth? Check all that apply.
It provides oxygen for living things. It prevents Earth from being hit by meteoroids. It allows water to exist as a liquid. It blocks the Sun's harmful rays.
Which statement about local and global winds is true? Local winds blow from the poles to the equator, whereas global winds blow west to east. Local winds curve due to the Coriolis effect, whereas global winds blow in a straight path. Local winds blow over long distances, whereas global winds blow over short distances. Local winds blow over short distances, whereas global winds blow over long distances.
Local winds blow over short distances, whereas global winds blow over long distances.
What causes air masses to move? A difference in air pressure and temperature occurs. Weather conditions change rapidly to produce storms. A collision takes place between two natural wind patterns. Long, narrow bands of wind blow in the upper atmosphere.
Long, narrow bands of wind blow in the upper atmosphere.
Which important safety precautions should be taken during a tornado? Select two options. Stay away from doors and windows. Move to high ground to avoid flood waters. Try to avoid the storm by driving or running. Stay outside to avoid being trapped in a building. Lie on the floor and cover your head.
Stay away from doors and windows. Lie on the floor and cover your head.
Why is the sky orange and red at sunrise and sunset? Gases absorb orange and red light. Blue wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere. The thick atmosphere scatters all but longer wavelengths. Only short wavelengths are radiated from the Sun in the morning and evening.
The thick atmosphere scatters all but longer wavelengths.
Warm air and cool air mix in Region A, while rapid weather changes occur in Region B. Which fronts are occurring in the regions? There is a cold front in Region A and a warm front in Region B. There is an occluded front in Region A and a cold front in Region B. There is a warm front in Region A and a stationary front in Region B. There is a stationary front in Region A and an occluded front in Region B.
There is an occluded front in Region A and a cold front in Region B.
Which statements best describe wavelengths of sunlight that are longer than 700 nanometers? Select two options.
These wavelengths are longer than the wavelengths of visible light. These wavelengths form the infrared part of the spectrum.
Which statements are accurate about snowflakes? Select three options. They condense as solid water on grass. They fall from the clouds as ice crystals. They form around particles in the atmosphere. They form when temperatures are above freezing. They form when water vapor is converted directly to ice crystals.
They fall from the clouds as ice crystals. They form around particles in the atmosphere. They form when water vapor is converted directly to ice crystals.
What are the characteristics of continental tropical air masses?
They have warm, dry air.
How is cold front formation different from stationary front formation?
Which blow from west to east, following the boundary between hot and cold air?
Which are examples of convection currents? Select three options.
a pot being heated by an electric burner a radiator that emits warm air and draws in cool air a hot air balloon rising and falling in the atmosphere
Which weather event is typically brief, contains very strong winds, and leaves a path of destruction up to 50 miles long?
a tornado
What is a land breeze? air that travels in a curved path air that blows at night over short distances air that flows steadily in different directions air that blows from the poles to the equator
air that blows at night over short distances
Which phrases describe oxygen's roles in Earth's atmosphere? Select three options. allows fuels to burn forms clouds that produce rain is the gas that animals breathe is used by plants to produce food forms ozone that absorbs the Sun's harmful rays
allows fuels to burn is the gas that animals breathe forms ozone that absorbs the Sun's harmful rays
Which factors affect the type of cloud that will be formed? Select three choices. altitude temperature color of clouds size of ice pellets whether water condenses as liquid or ice
altitude temperature whether water condenses as liquid or ice
Which factors add to the greenhouse effect and are caused by human activities? Select two options.
an increase in gases in the atmosphere that absorb heat ? an increase in surfaces that radiate energy into the atmosphere
Which gases each make up less than 1 percent of Earth's atmosphere? Select three options.
argon water vapor carbon dioxide
What do weather maps display? weather stations environmental events atmospheric conditions mathematical equations
atmospheric conditions
A storm surge is characterized by large hail. strong winds. severe lightning. coastal flooding.
coastal flooding.
What are the methods of heat transfer? Select three options.
conduction convection radiation
What do the arrows in the circle indicate? Warm air is rising. Cool air is sinking. Cool air is less dense. Warm air is more dense.
cool air is sinking
Which conditions are necessary for clouds to form? warming air and relative humidity cooling air and high humidity cooling air and surfaces for condensation warming air and surfaces for condensation
cooling air and surfaces for condensation
Which description refers to stratus clouds?
cover all or most of the sky
From which type of clouds do hail pellets form? cirrus cumulus nimbostratus stratus
cumulus
Which cloud types would most likely indicate that a thunderstorm is on the way? cirrus clouds dull, gray, stratus clouds cumulus clouds that are small and round cumulus clouds that are tall with a flat top
cumulus clouds that are tall with a flat top
Which phrases describe air pressure? Select three options.
decreases as altitude increases results from a column of air pushing on an area decreases due to fewer air particles pushing down
Which characteristics are used to describe air? Select three options.
density mass pressure
What causes wind? differences in air pressure decreases in air temperature the occurrence of the Coriolis effect the even heating of Earth's atmosphere
differences in air pressure
Which type of precipitation is most likely to form during a thunderstorm?
hail
Which weather events can cause damage during a thunderstorm? Check all that apply.
heavy rain strong winds severe lightening
Which characteristics describe the troposphere? Select two options. is the innermost layer contains the ozone layer has the highest air pressure spans 12-50 km above Earth is a good place for planes to fly
is the innermost layer has the highest air pressure
For a vacation, you and your family fly east to west from Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington. You notice that your flight back home to Boston is shorter than your flight to Seattle. Which phenomenon causes your flight home to be shorter? wind-chill factor Coriolis effect jet stream prevailing westerlies
jet stream
You are visiting family in Tennessee. One morning, the weather is warm and humid. Which type of air mass is most likely causing this weather? continental tropical continental polar maritime tropical maritime polar
maritime tropical
Which word describes the amount of matter an object contains? altitude density mass pressure
mass
Which type of cloud is most likely present on a gray, rainy day? cirrocumulus cirrus cumulus nimbostratus
nimbostratus
A person trapped outside during a thunderstorm should lie in a ditch or other low-lying area. get out of a car and take shelter under a tree. stay away from trees, water, and tall objects. run away from the thunderstorm as quickly as possible.
stay away from trees, water, and tall objects.
Which atmospheric layer is where Earth's northern and southern lights occur?
thermosphere
On a warm summer day, a severe storm happens, and a tornado forms. Which layer of the atmosphere is experiencing this storm?
troposphere
Which gas is most abundant in Earth's atmosphere? oxygen nitrogen water vapor carbon dioxide
nitrogen
Which phrases identify the names of the main wind belts? Check all that apply. polar easterlies polar westerlies prevailing westerlies tropical easterlies trade breezes
polar easterlies prevailing westerlies tropical easterlies
Sleet forms from which type of precipitation? snowflakes ice crystals rain droplets snow
rain droplets
Which tool enhances weather forecasts by enabling monitoring, which is necessary for predicting global weather and environmental events? map satellite weather balloon automated weather station
satelitte
During the night, you woke up to strong rains and wind. You're not exactly sure which kind of storm occurred. In the morning, you see that a tree in your yard is split in two. This is the only damage and debris in the area. What type of storm most likely caused the damage? cyclone hurricane thunderstorm tornado
thunderstorm
Which condition is necessary for water droplets to condense and form clouds? dry air ice crystals in air tiny particles in air rising temperatures
tiny particles in air
Which considerations are used to calculate a windchill factor? Select two options. wind speed air pressure wind direction air temperature atmospheric heating
wind speed air temp
Which blow from west to east, following the boundary between hot and cold air?
jet stream
Study the diagram. What is forming in the diagram?
a hurricane
Which type of heat transfer causes a person sitting by the fire to feel warm? absorption conduction convection radiation
radiation
Which atmospheric layer gets warmer as altitude increases? mesosphere stratosphere thermosphere troposphere
stratosphere
Which condition causes storms to occur? freezing of water droplets sudden change in air pressure condensation of water vapor rapid heating of upper atmosphere
sudden change in air pressure
Study the image, which shows an air mass moving into a region. (moist air moving north from the gulf) What type of weather will this region most likely experience due to the incoming air mass? thick fog with cold air sunny skies with warm air thunderstorms and heavy rain cooler temperatures with no rain
thunderstorms and heavy rain
In your current location, the weather is much like this picture: cloudy and drizzly. The weather has been like this for several days. The good news is that the weather report says warmer weather is coming soon. Which type of front most likely caused this weather? occluded front stationary front warm front cold front
warm front
What does a weather balloon do? Select three options.
warns about severe weather measures conditions in the upper atmosphere collects data that predicts changes in the atmosphere
Which tools do meteorologists use to help create weather forecasts? Select three options.
weather service maps data from instruments personal observations
The jet stream is one of the key winds that moves air masses. In which direction does the jet stream in the United State generally move air masses? east to west north to south south to north west to east
west to east
Which factor causes surface ocean currents? gravity tide wind temperature
wind
Examine the weather map. Which high temperature range is most likely represented by the orange areas? 60-69 degrees 70-79 degrees 80-89 degrees 90-99 degrees
90-99 degrees
Which major type of air mass forms over warm water?
C. maritime tropical
Study the image. Which point shows the trade winds? 1 2 3 4
2 (pointing at yellow arrows around the equator)
Which process releases the energy that eventually produces lightning in a thunderstorm?
A. troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
what happens to jet streams as they get closer to the equator ?
They blow faster
The image shows a diagram explaining a concept. Which concept does the diagram show?
air pressure
How is energy measured? Select two options.
in temperature in wavelength
What do the numbers on the map represent? air pressure temperatures humidity levels amount of precipitation
temps
What does relative humidity measure?
the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the amount the air can hold
What percent of solar radiation is filtered by clouds and may cause sunburn on cloudy days? 3 percent 14 percent 22 percent 31 percent
22 percent
Which statements about tornadoes are true? Check all that apply. About 12,000 tornadoes hit the United States every year. A tornado looks like a funnel. Tornadoes are deadly atmospheric storms that cause millions in damages each year. Tornadoes can reach wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour. Kansas is the state with the most tornadoes. You will always notice a funnel before a tornado strikes.
A tornado looks like a funnel. Tornadoes are deadly atmospheric storms that cause millions in damages each year. Tornadoes can reach wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour.
How does the weather caused by a warm front compare to the weather caused by a cold front? A warm front brings fog, but a cold front brings clouds that form from dry air. A warm front brings rapid changes in weather, but a cold front brings slow changes in weather. A warm front brings widespread cloud cover, but a cold front brings intense sun coverage. A warm front brings rain in humid air on occasion, but a cold front brings thunderstorms in summer.
A warm front brings rain in humid air on occasion, but a cold front brings thunderstorms in summer.
Which statement best describes what the arrows represent? Air continuously blows away from the equator. Air flows in different directions over long distances. Air moves from regions of low pressure to high pressure. Air circulates in an upward direction, creating surface winds.
Air flows in different directions over long distances.
How does altitude affect air pressure and density? Check all that apply.
Air is less dense on a mountaintop than at sea level. More force pushes on the air at the bottom of an air column. As you descend a mountain, air molecules are closer together.
Study the image, which describes how rapid changes in weather conditions occur. Based on the arrows, what does the image represent? Air masses are barely moving. Air masses are colliding with each other. Jet streams are forming in the upper atmosphere. Weather conditions are remaining steady and unchanged.
Air masses are colliding with each other.
Which statements correctly describe the properties of air? Select three options.
Air pressure is created by the weight of the atmosphere pushing on Earth's surface. Denser air is heavier than less dense air. Air is less dense at higher altitudes.
Which statements about Earth's atmosphere are correct? Check all that apply. The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is oxygen. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is important for plants. The troposphere shields Earth from chunks of rock from space. The stratosphere is located 50 to 80 kilometers from Earth's surface. The troposphere gets colder the higher you go. The ozone in the stratosphere protects us from ultraviolet radiation. The amount of water vapor in the air is nearly constant.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is important for plants. The troposphere gets colder the higher you go. The ozone in the stratosphere protects us from ultraviolet radiation.
Which interactions are part of the greenhouse effect? Select three options. Gases in the atmosphere absorb heat. Dust particles scatter and reflect light from the Sun. Green visible light is trapped in Earth's atmosphere. Earth's surface radiates energy back into the atmosphere. Gases in the atmosphere radiate heat back to the surface.
Gases in the atmosphere absorb heat. Earth's surface radiates energy back into the atmosphere. Gases in the atmosphere radiate heat back to the surface.
As altitude increases, what happens to air pressure? It fluctuates. It increases. It decreases. It stays the same.
It decreases.
Earth's atmosphere
Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%)
Which statements describe global winds? Select three options. They flow in different directions. They travel over short distances. They generate land breezes. They are affected by the rotation of Earth. They blow away from poles to the equator.
They flow in different directions. They are affected by the rotation of Earth. They blow away from poles to the equator.
How do ice and water on the ground affect incoming solar radiation? They filter 22 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface. They reflect 4 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface. They absorb 100 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface. They scatter 5 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface.
They reflect 4 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface.
How do computers play a role in meteorology? Select three options. They use equations to predict future weather. They collect data from weather stations. They draw weather maps. They measure temperature, humidity, and wind speed. They send out microwaves to make radar measurements.
They use equations to predict future weather. They collect data from weather stations. They draw weather maps.
How does convection occur in the troposphere? The Sun's rays heat Earth's surface. Warm air rises and cool air sinks. The warm ground heats the air above it. The Sun's electromagnetic waves reflect off clouds.
Warm air rises and cool air sinks.
Which statements about wind are true? Check all that apply. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. Wind moves from low pressure areas to high pressure areas. Winds are named for the direction toward which wind is flowing. An anemometer is a tool for measuring wind speed. The wind-chill factor has a cooling effect.
Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. An anemometer is a tool for measuring wind speed. The wind-chill factor has a cooling effect.
Which statements describe aspects of what causes wind to blow? Select two options. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. Wind moves from low pressure areas to high pressure areas. Differences in air pressure are due to unequal heating. Differences in air pressure are caused by oceans. Wind is caused by the Coriolis effect.
Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. Differences in air pressure are due to unequal heating.
Which scenario describes the damage caused by a tornado? a flooded city on the coast with trees damaged by high winds a section of forest with trees that are burned or split in half a beach that has been severely damaged because of storm surge a path of destruction up to 50 miles long with destroyed trees and homes
a path of destruction up to 50 miles long with destroyed trees and homes
Which descriptions refer to cirrus clouds? Select three options. are fluffy are wispy produce snow form at high altitudes form from ice crystals
are wispy form at high altitudes form from ice crystals
How do the magnetic and electrical components of electromagnetic waves travel in relation to each other? at right angles toward each other in a circular motion parallel to each other
at right angles
On a warm, pleasant day, you notice some clouds in the sky. The clouds are very high up in the sky and look quite thin. Which type of clouds are in the sky? cirrus cumulus stratus fog
cirrus
Study the image of an air mass. (a cold air mass blowing over the US from the north) Which major type of air mass is moving into the area? maritime polar continental polar maritime tropical continental tropical air
continental polar
Thunderstorms require lift to form. Which of these factors causes lift in the atmosphere? radiation conduction water vapor convection
convection
Which is a type of heat transfer that causes the air at the top floor of a building to be hotter than the air at the bottom floor of a building? conduction convection radiation reflection
convection
Which are forms of frozen water? Select three options. dew frost hail rain sleet
frost hail sleet
During an evening hike, you see a shooting star just like the one pictured here. In which layer of the atmosphere does this shooting star occur?
mesosphere
Which atmospheric layer prevents meteoroids from reaching Earth's surface? mesosphere stratosphere thermosphere troposphere
mesosphere
Which front forms widespread clouds, rain, or snow? cold front warm front occluded front stationary front
occluded front
Which factors cause air masses to move in the United States? Check all that apply. prevailing easterlies prevailing westerlies jet stream trade winds front
prevailing westerlies jet stream
Which option identifies the two natural wind patterns that move air masses in the United States? prevailing westerlies and jet streams polar easterlies and jet streams trade winds and prevailing westerlies trade winds and polar easterlies
prevailing westerlies and jet streams
Comparing Severe Storm Formation Which factor is needed for both thunderstorms and hurricanes to form? warm ocean water land heated by the Sun rising, moist air rising, dry air
rising, moist air
Which tools do meteorologists use to collect data about the weather? Select three options. satellites weather fronts maps and charts weather balloons automated weather stations
satellites weather balloons automated weather stations
One evening, you see the northern lights, which are shown in the image. In which layer of the atmosphere do the northern lights occur?
thermosphere
Look at the diagram showing the different wavelengths in sunlight. Which has a wavelength of 350 nanometers? red light violet light infrared light ultraviolet light
ultraviolet
Study the image, which shows warm and cold air fronts. At which point does warm air begin to rise before colliding with cold air? 1 2 3 4
3 (red arrow moving up)
Which is the most common type of precipitation?
B. rain
Which belt is a global wind belt found in the middle latitudes?
D. prevailing westerlies
Which statements about humidity are true? Check all that apply. Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. Warm air holds less water vapor than cold air. Warm areas promote less evaporation. Areas with a large amount of surface water have high humidity levels. Warm tropical areas have very humid air.
Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. Areas with a large amount of surface water have high humidity levels. Warm tropical areas have very humid air.
Which important safety measures should be taken during a hurricane? Select two options.
Move away from windows. Seek shelter on higher ground.
Which statement describes an important role of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere?
Plants use carbon dioxide to make food.
Study the images of two different fronts. Based on arrow movement, why is the front shown in item A different from the front shown in item B? Warm air rises above cold air in item A, while two air masses collide in item B. Cold air mixes with warm air in item A, while two air masses barely move in item B. Warm air is pushed upward near cold air in item A, while a boundary forms in item B. Two air masses form a boundary in item A, while warm air rises above cold air in item B. A = cold vs warm B = over the ocean, clouds at an angle
Two air masses form a boundary in item A, while warm air rises above cold air in item B.
Study the image. What do the arrows at point 3 indicate?
Warm air is cooling quickly.
Where is the safest place to take shelter in a tornado? a basement a bedroom a car a yard
a basement
What path do global winds follow due to the Coriolis effect?
a curved path
One day you experience violent thunderstorms followed by a few days of colder weather. Which type of front most likely moved through your area? occluded front stationary front warm front cold front
cold front
Which is a form of heat transfer that is reduced by using a pot holder when taking a hot dish out of an oven? absorption conduction convection radiation
conduction
Which phrases describe air density? Select three options. increases as altitude increases equals mass divided by volume pushes molecules in one direction exerts more pressure as it increases measures how tightly molecules are packed
equals mass divided by volume exerts more pressure as it increases measures how tightly molecules are packed
Which descriptions refer to short-range forecasts? Select two options. fairly accurate cover five days or less do not require computers cover more than 10 days impacted by butterfly effect
fairly accurate cover five days or less
Which refers to solid ice that condenses and forms on surfaces like grass or windows?
frost
What information does the National Weather Service produce? Select three options. simple maps newspaper maps maps with isobars maps with isotherms weather service maps
maps with isobars maps with isotherms weather service maps
What do isotherms show? points of equal humidity points of equal wind speed points of equal air pressure points of equal temperature
points of equal temperature
Which blow toward the low-pressure areas of the westerlies? jet streams trade winds horse latitudes polar easterlies
polar easterlies
The image below shows a weather service map. Which details best describe this map? Select three options.
shows isobars shows isolines was probably used by meteorologists
Which phrase best describes humidity? the amount of precipitation that falls the temperature of air that causes condensation the amount of water vapor in the air the condensation that forms on a cooler surface
the amount of water vapor in the air
A front refers to the location where two air masses meet. an air mass that extends across a large area. a large body of air moved by global wind patterns. a place on Earth's surface affected by uneven heating.
the location where two air masses meet.
Severe storms all have extremely strong winds that can cause a lot of environmental damage. Which storm below has the strongest winds? cyclone hurricane thunderstorm tornado
tornado
Which weather event is capable of destroying homes and uprooting trees due to a low-pressure area at its center? cyclone hurricane thunderstorm tornado
tornado
Which factors cause weather patterns? Check all that apply. diverse landscapes motion in space oceans seasons solar radiation fronts
diverse landscapes motion in space oceans solar radiation
Which type of weather do anticyclones bring? hot, humid rainy, cloudy dry, clear days of light drizzle
dry, clear
You're reading from the journal of a European explorer from the early 1600s. In one passage, the explorer describes sitting on the Atlantic Ocean with little wind. He describes the area as being quite far north of the equator and having high pressure. In which type of global wind was this explorer sailing? doldrums horse latitudes jet stream polar easterlies
horse lat