oceanography chapter 6

T/F: The Coriolis effect describes how moving objects on Earth appear to follow curved paths due to Earth's rotation

true

most abundant greenhouse gas that also influences air density

water vapor

The lowermost portion of the atmosphere where most weather occurs is called the

troposphere

The strength of a hurricane is ranked from 1 to 5 on the

Saffir-Simpson Scale

The average albedo of Earth's surface is about

30%

Describe the difference between cyclonic and anti-cyclonic flow and show how the Coriolis effect is important in producing both clockwise and counterclockwise flow patterns

As air moves away from high-pressure regions and toward low-pressure regions, the Coriolis effect modifies its direction. In the Northern Hemisphere, air moving from high to low pressure curves to the right and results in a counterclockwise (cyclonic) flow of air around low-pressure cells. Similarly, as air leaves the high-pressure region and curves to the right, it establishes a clockwise (anti-cyclonic) flow of air around high-pressure cells

The apparent deflection of air masses to the right or left (depending on latitude) as they move from one latitude to another is called the

Coriolis effect

Describe the types of destruction caused by hurricanes. Which one causes the majority of fatalities and destruction?

Destruction from hurricanes is caused by high winds and flooding from intense rainfall. Storm surge, however, causes the majority of a hurricane's coastal destruction and loss of life. In fact, storm surge is responsible for 90% of the deaths associated with hurricanes

T/F: An iceberg is a variety of sea ice

False

The intensity of tropical cyclones is measured by meteorologists using the __________ scale

Saffir-Simpson

Describe the physical properties of the atmosphere, including its composition, temperature, density, water vapor content, pressure, and movement

The atmosphere is composed almost entirely of nitrogen and oxygen. The lowest portion of the atmosphere is the troposphere, which is the area where temperature gets cooler with altitude. Warm air is less dense and so it rises. Cold air is denser, so it sinks. Warm air can also hold more water vapor than cold air because the air molecules are moving more quickly and encounter more water vapor. Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch at sea level and decreases with increasing altitude. Air always moves from high-pressure regions toward low-pressure regions

Of the following statements about the doldrums, which is/are true?

This is also known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

The percentage of solar radiation reflected from the surface of Earth back into space is known as the

albedo

Inter-tropical Convergence Zone

area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator

Winds blowing out of the north toward the south in the southern hemisphere will appear to

be deflected toward the east

Earth's polar regions (above 60° latitude) are classified as deserts because __________

cold, dry sinking air in the polar high regions produces little precipitation

A zone of high atmospheric pressure results when there is relatively __________ air aloft

cool, dry

Low-pressure regions in the northern hemisphere rotate

counterclockwise

T/F: The autumnal equinox occurs when the sun is directly overhead along the equator in March

false

T/F: The trade winds can be found between 30° and 60°N and S latitudes

false

T/F: Within the troposphere, the atmosphere gets warmer with increasing altitude

false

T/F:A maritime polar air mass is likely to be dry and cold

false

Tropic of Cancer

located at 23.5° N latitude

Polar easterlies

prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes

Air warmed by the land that rises and is replaced by cooler air from the ocean may produce a

sea breeze

The Sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky, directly overhead along the Tropic of Cancer, during the

summer solstice

The two factors that are most important in determining the density of air are

temperature and water vapor content

Which of the following are valid names of boundaries between global wind belts or at the poles?

the horse latitudes

The thickness of sea ice is limited primarily by

the insulating nature of the ice itself

Of the following characteristics or features, which is/are associated with middle latitude storms, such as those that originate in the North Pacific Ocean between 40 and 60 degrees latitude?

the prevailing westerlies

The wind belt(s) with strong, reliable, generally easterly winds is (are) the

trade winds

the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere

tropopause

T/F: The angle at which direct sunlight strikes the ocean's surface is important in determining the amount of solar energy that is absorbed

true

T/F: The large atmospheric circulation cells that occur between the equator and 30° latitude in each hemisphere are called Hadley cells

true

T/F: Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air

true

T/F:The Saffir-Simpson scale rates the relative intensity of tropical cyclones

true

The temperate regions are characterized by

westerly winds