EOS365 Midterm 1 MC Study Guide
Which of the following is a correct approximation of average sea-level atmospheric pressure? A) 1013.2 millibars B) 31 inches of mercury C) 99 kilopascals D) 20 pounds per square inch
A) 1013.2 millibars
The difference between the highest and lowest air pressure in the continental United States typically differs by about: A) 24 mb. B) 100 mb. C) 9 percent. D) 14 percent.
A) 24 mb.
The Coriolis effect is strongest at this latitude: A) 90 degrees. B) 45 degrees. C) 15 degrees. D) 0 degrees.
A) 90 degrees.
Ozone: A) absorbs ultraviolet light. B) typically reaches its greatest concentrations near the ground and near major cities. C) is very difficult to split into diatomic oxygen and monatomic oxygen. D) exists primarily in the troposphere.
A) absorbs ultraviolet light.
The relationship between air pressure and elevation is nonlinear because: A) air is compressible. B) air pressure changes with elevation. C) the equation of state is an exponential function. D) There is no clear relationship between temperature and elevation.
A) air is compressible.
Aerosols are typically removed from the atmosphere by: A) falling precipitation. B) settling to the ground due to the influence of gravity. C) chemical decomposition. D) traveling higher and higher above the earth until they escape into space.
A) falling precipitation.
The thermosphere: A) has a low heat content. B) would feel very hot to an astronaut. C) is characterized by a decrease in temperature as height increases. D) is part of the homosphere.
A) has a low heat content.
Which of the following are used to identify places of equal atmospheric pressure? A) isobars B) isotherms C) isohyets D) isotachs
A) isobars
This is the least likely reason for the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere: A) leakage into space from the upper atmosphere. B) incorporation into solid material. C) dissolution into oceans, lakes, and rivers. D) dissolution into raindrops.
A) leakage into space from the upper atmosphere.
The temperature is lowest here: A) mesopause. B) stratopause. C) tropopause. D) stratosphere.
A) mesopause.
This is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere: A) nitrogen. B) oxygen. C) carbon dioxide. D) water vapor
A) nitrogen.
The average length of time that individual molecules of a given substance remain in the atmosphere is called the: A) residence time. B) steady state. C) thermocline. D) travel time.
A) residence time.
Ozone is found primarily in the ________ and is important because of ________. A) stratosphere; its interaction with ultraviolet radiation B) troposphere; it enhances thunderstorm development C) mesosphere; it makes the mid-levels of the atmosphere cold D) thermosphere; it makes the upper levels of the atmosphere very warm
A) stratosphere; its interaction with ultraviolet radiation
The Coriolis force would be strongest on a(n): A) supersonic jet. B) baseball pitcher's 100 mile-per-hour fastball. C) flock of Canada geese migrating north. D) alien spaceship the size of New York City that is flying above a north-bound freeway at the speed of traffic.
A) supersonic jet.
The Coriolis Effect is zero at: A) the Equator B) the Poles C) the upper atmosphere D) sunrise
A) the Equator
Regarding isobars, it is true that: A) their spacing indicates the strength of the pressure gradient. B) they are drawn at 10 mb intervals in the United States. C) they depict areas having the same barometer reading. D) you will not find them on Canadian pressure charts.
A) their spacing indicates the strength of the pressure gradient.
Gradient flow: A) undergoes constant acceleration. B) is a geostrophic wind. C) occurs when wind flows parallel to the pressure gradient. D) maintains the same direction.
A) undergoes constant acceleration.
Regarding hydrostatic equilibrium and movements toward hydrostatic equilibrium, it is true that: A) upward vertical movements are likely to occur more rapidly than downward movements. B) air density has no effect on the up or down motion of air masses. C) a sparse atmosphere feels a stronger gravitational pull than does a dense atmosphere. D) the vertical pressure gradient force is no match for the force of gravity.
A) upward vertical movements are likely to occur more rapidly than downward movements.
Atmospheric gas: A) will, for a given amount of gas, experience an increase in pressure if the volume of the gas is decreased. B) undergoes abrupt pressure changes as height above the surface of the earth increases. C) has a smaller mean free path at higher elevations than at lower elevations. D) has no significant effect on sports events played at different elevations.
A) will, for a given amount of gas, experience an increase in pressure if the volume of the gas is decreased.
The difference between the atmosphere's "permanent" gasses and "variable" gasses is that: A) permanent gasses exchange rapidly between the atmosphere and the biosphere. B) variable gasses are so called because of their horizontal displacement. C) permanent gasses exhibit a constant proportion from the earth's surface to higher reaches of the atmosphere. D) variable gasses are dependent on storms for world-wide dispersion.
C) permanent gasses exhibit a constant proportion from the earth's surface to higher reaches of the atmosphere.
The Equation of State (Ideal Gas Law) gives a relationship between: A) pressure and wind speed. B) pressure, temperature, and density. C) pressure, density, and temperature. D) pressure, moisture content, and density. E) none of the above
C) pressure, density, and temperature.
This is the only atmospheric variable that always varies with distance above the ground: A) density. B) temperature. C) pressure. D) moisture content.
C) pressure.
This occurs around a high-pressure system when the Coriolis effect exceeds the pressure gradient force, causing air to turn: A) subgeostrophic flow. B) geostrophic flow. C) supergeostrophic flow. D) non-gradient flow
C) supergeostrophic flow.
Hydrostatic equilibrium occurs when: A) the force of gravity and the vertical pressure gradient both act to push air upward. B) the force of gravity and the vertical pressure gradient both act to push air downward. C) the force of gravity and the vertical pressure gradient have equal value and oppose each other. D) large air masses are moving either up or down.
C) the force of gravity and the vertical pressure gradient have equal value and oppose each other.
Wherever you find a mercury barometer, you'll also find a(n): A) meteorologist. B) anemometer. C) thermometer. D) home testing kit for mercury poisoning
C) thermometer.
An examination of a typical 500 mb height map shows that: A) pressure surfaces can change dramatically over a short distance. B) there is no usefulness in consulting height maps for other pressures. C) upper-atmosphere gradients are typically small. D) it takes strong gradients to produce strong winds.
C) upper-atmosphere gradients are typically small.
Which of the following would be considered to be a "variable" gas? A) argon B) oxygen C) water vapor D) carbon dioxide
C) water vapor D) carbon dioxide
What is the residence time of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere? A) 10 years B) 100 years C) 500 years D) 5000 years
D) 5000 years
The troposphere contains what % of the mass of the atmosphere? A) 20% B) 40% C) 60% D) 80%
D) 80%
Which of the following temperature scales is the only one to begin at the zero point? A) Argon B) Fahrenheit C) Celsius D) Kelvin
D) Kelvin
Carbon dioxide is an important variable gas because: A) it is widely distributed throughout the atmosphere. B) it is a "greenhouse" gas. C) it has been increasing steadily since the early 900s. D) all of the above
D) all of the above
Gravity is: A) a force. B) an acceleration. C) an attraction between any two masses. D) all of the above
D) all of the above
The percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (by hemisphere) varies by season because: A) plants grow in the warm season and not in the cold season. B) more residential heating is required during the cold season. C) less plant decay takes place during the cold season. D) all of the above
D) all of the above
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations: A) have decreased over the last few decades. B) increase with height above the tropopause. C) have not been reliably measured for the northern hemisphere. D) are highest in early spring.
D) are highest in early spring.
Mercury barometers: A) use mercury because it has a low density. B) are more cumbersome than water barometers. C) give direct measurements in millibars. D) are inverted into a pool of mercury.
D) are inverted into a pool of mercury.
Aerosols: A) include cloud droplets. B) have little effect on weather. C) are formed by physical processes, not chemical processes. D) can be either solid or liquid.
D) can be either solid or liquid.
The difference between speed and velocity is that velocity additionally incorporates: A) time. B) distance. C) mass. D) direction.
D) direction.
Methane: A) is a permanent gas. B) is a good reflector of thermal radiation. C) is removed from the atmosphere by the digestive processes of cattle. D) has increased in concentration over the last 50 or so years.
D) has increased in concentration over the last 50 or so years.
Nitrogen: A) is a variable gas. B) has a short residence time. C) is a relatively unstable gas. D) has little effect on climate.
D) has little effect on climate.
The troposphere: A) has height that is relatively consistent at about ten kilometers. B) stays about the same temperature above three kilometers. C) contains a bit less than half the atmosphere's mass. D) is characterized in part by vertical mixing of air.
D) is characterized in part by vertical mixing of air.
The effect of friction on air: A) increases wind speed. B) increases with height. C) increases the Coriolis force. D) is relevant only within the planetary boundary layer.
D) is relevant only within the planetary boundary layer.
In this atmospheric layer, the temperature is relatively constant for the first 10 kilometers, then it increases: A) troposphere. B) mesosphere. C) thermosphere. D) stratosphere
D) stratosphere
The maximum concentrations of ozone are found in the: A) troposphere. B) mesosphere. C) ionosphere. D) stratosphere.
D) stratosphere.
This prevents wind from following the direction of the horizontal pressure gradient force: A) friction with the ground. B) the earth's magnetic field. C) interaction with the solar wind. D) the Coriolis effect.
D) the Coriolis effect.
The region of the earth's atmosphere below 80 km is called: A) the stratosphere. B) upper hemisphere. C) the alpha quadrant. D) the homosphere.
D) the homosphere.
The pressure gradient force is proportional to: A) the speed necessary to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium. B) the change in temperature expressed in Kelvin degrees. C) the change in air density. D) the slope of the isobars.
D) the slope of the isobars.
Air pressure is: A) measured in pascals by American meteorologists. B) independent of the density of air. C) independent of the temperature of air. D) the sum of the partial pressures of its constituent gases.
D) the sum of the partial pressures of its constituent gases.
The four layers of the atmosphere from the top down are: A) troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere. B) thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, troposphere. C) stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, troposphere. D) thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere.
D) thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere.
The basic unit of pressure measurement for atmospheric pressure is: A) millibar. B) pascal. C) kilopascal. D) inches of mercury. E) all of the above
E) all of the above
The horizontal pressure gradient force (pgf): A) is solely responsible for air movement. B) can affect the direction of wind flow. C) is always directed from high pressure to low pressure. D) is strongest where the temperature differentials are the greatest. E) all of the above
E) all of the above
The weather event that annually takes the most human life is the: A) hurricane. B) tornado. C) flood. D) lightning. E) extreme cold.
E) extreme cold.
Given that the circumference of a circle is 360 degrees, it follows that the earth rotates about this many degrees per hour: A) 10. B) 15. C) 36. D) 360.
B) 15.
The Coriolis force: A) is constant. B) affects the direction of motion. C) affects the speed of motion. D) is caused by pressure gradient forces.
B) affects the direction of motion.
Cyclones: A) experience Coriolis effects that deflect air to the right in the Southern Hemisphere. B) are associated with low-pressure systems. C) are associated with supergeostrophic winds. D) are typically regions of fair weather.
B) are associated with low-pressure systems.
This is NOT a variable gas: A) water vapor. B) argon. C) ozone. D) carbon dioxide.
B) argon.
A recording barometer is called a what? A) sling psychrometer B) barograph C) hydrograph D) meteorograph
B) barograph
The recent alternative explanation for the disappearance of Earth's early atmosphere sees this as the primary causative agent: A) volcanic outgassing. B) collisions of Earth with other large bodies. C) periodic energy pulses from the surface of the Sun. D) gravitational attraction of the Moon.
B) collisions of Earth with other large bodies.
Height maps for the United States: A) are updated twice a week. B) correspond to different approximate elevation levels. C) are done for 500 mb only. D) have little practical application in weather forecasting
B) correspond to different approximate elevation levels.
The pressure gradient force: A) can be measured by knowing the sea level pressure of just one point. B) creates wind if it is horizontal. C) will not necessarily result in the movement of air. D) is unrelated to the speed of air movement.
B) creates wind if it is horizontal.
The stratosphere: A) is part of the heterosphere. B) has a low moisture content compared to the troposphere. C) typically gets colder as elevation increases. D) is where much of Earth's weather occurs.
B) has a low moisture content compared to the troposphere.
Water vapor: A) can comprise up to five percent of the total mass of the atmosphere. B) has evaporation as its primary source. C) typically increases in concentration at higher altitudes within the troposphere. D) does not absorb infrared radiation.
B) has evaporation as its primary source.
Anticyclones: A) have air spiraling into them at lower elevations. B) have clockwise winds in the Northern Hemisphere. C) do not have winds in the upper atmosphere that follow height contours. D) are associated with subgeostrophic winds.
B) have clockwise winds in the Northern Hemisphere.
The most costly average annual weather event is: A) tornadoes. B) hurricanes. C) extreme hot or cold episodes. D) floods
B) hurricanes.
This was probably the predominant gas in Earth's earliest atmosphere: A) argon. B) hydrogen. C) water vapor. D) nitrogen.
B) hydrogen.
Air pressure: A) constantly changes in order to avoid equilibrium. B) is the force exerted in all directions by a column of air rising upward from the point of measurement. C) is exerted downward only. D) is independent of the force of gravity.
B) is the force exerted in all directions by a column of air rising upward from the point of measurement.
Horizontal pressure changes are ________ than vertical pressure changes. A) greater B) less than C) about the same D) None of the above. There are no horizontal pressure changes.
B) less than
The high levels of atmospheric nitrogen are due primarily to the fact that: A) the earth is constantly bombarded by small, house-sized comets. B) nitrogen has a very long residence time. C) nitrogen is the major component of the gas emitted from volcanoes. D) nitrogen is produced by many species of bacteria.
B) nitrogen has a very long residence time.
Geostrophic flow: A) undergoes a constant, or near constant, acceleration. B) occurs when the pressure gradient force equals the Coriolis force. C) occurs in atmospheric levels with substantial friction. D) can occur in all levels of the atmosphere.
B) occurs when the pressure gradient force equals the Coriolis force.
Horizontal pressure gradients: A) are typically quite large. B) often range over distances of hundreds of kilometers when viewed in large scale. C) are smallest when measured across a hurricane. D) can be quite large when compared with the average value of the air pressure.
B) often range over distances of hundreds of kilometers when viewed in large scale.
The pressure at the bottom of the atmosphere is referred to as: A) reference pressure. B) sea level pressure. C) lowest pressure system. D) constant surface pressure.
B) sea level pressure.
The equation of state is not dependent upon this: A) the density of the gas. B) the composition of the gas. C) the temperature of the gas. D) the pressure of the gas.
B) the composition of the gas.
The "stratosphere" warms because of: A) dust and dirt deposited by volcanoes. B) the interaction of ozone and ultraviolet light. C) the injection of moisture by meteors. D) the injection of moisture by high-flying jet aircraft.
B) the interaction of ozone and ultraviolet light.
All other variables equal, humid air is less dense than drier air because: A) water molecules are negatively charged and thus repel other molecules. B) the molecular weight of water is less than that of either diatomic oxygen or diatomic nitrogen. C) some of the water in humid air will condense, and the latent heat released will expand the air. D) water molecules have a lower average velocity than does diatomic nitrogen.
B) the molecular weight of water is less than that of either diatomic oxygen or diatomic nitrogen.
The highest temperatures are typically found in the: A) troposphere. B) thermosphere. C) mesosphere. D) stratosphere.
B) thermosphere.
Aneroid barometers are so called because: A) they use aneroids to measure air pressure. B) they measure air pressure without using a liquid. C) they are a hybrid pressure measuring device. D) None of the above. There is no such thing as an "aneroid barometer".
B) they measure air pressure without using a liquid.
Relatively speaking, the earth's atmosphere is: A) very thick when compared to the earth's diameter. B) very thin when compared to the earth's diameter. C) stops at the top of the troposphere. D) stops when we reach "space."
B) very thin when compared to the earth's diameter.
Pressure decreases with altitude by 50% with every increase in altitude of how much? A) 1 mile B) 1 km C) 5.5 km D) 10 km
C) 5.5 km
What do you notice concerning the percentage of permanent gasses throughout the atmosphere (all levels)? A) It varies significantly from the surface up. B) It varies significantly only at the tropopause. C) It is the same throughout the atmosphere from the surface up. D) It varies only in the mesosphere.
C) It is the same throughout the atmosphere from the surface up.
The lowest layer in the atmosphere is called the: A) Thermosphere B) Ionosphere C) Planetary Boundary layer D) hydrosphere
C) Planetary Boundary layer
The ozone layer: A) is in the troposphere. B) is composed of nearly half ozone. C) absorbs ultraviolet energy. D) radiates gamma rays toward Earth.
C) absorbs ultraviolet energy.
By volume, how much more water vapor is there in the Earth's atmosphere than is there carbon dioxide? A) twice B) three times C) almost 7 times D) nearly 10 times
C) almost 7 times
Which of the following is shown as a heavy blue line with triangles? A) dry line B) warm front C) cold front D) occluded front
C) cold front
Volcanic outgassing: A) created the earth's first atmosphere. B) has had little effect on the earth's atmosphere. C) emits large amounts of water vapor. D) emits very little carbon dioxide.
C) emits large amounts of water vapor.
The ionosphere: A) is characterized by the neutral state of its constituent atoms. B) begins in the lower stratosphere. C) ends in the thermosphere. D) has a relatively constant temperature
C) ends in the thermosphere.
A geostrophic wind: A) follows the pressure gradient force. B) curves around to flow toward its original source. C) flows perpendicular to the pressure gradient force. D) is usually not affected by the Coriolis force.
C) flows perpendicular to the pressure gradient force.
The atmosphere is a mixture of: A) precipitation and air. B) particulate matter and water. C) gas molecules, small particulates, and moisture. D) moisture and gas molecules only.
C) gas molecules, small particulates, and moisture.
The Coriolis force: A) determines the motion in which water will spiral down a drain. B) causes a deflection to the right in the Southern Hemisphere. C) has a greater effect the longer it acts. D) operates independently of Newton's Second Law.
C) has a greater effect the longer it acts.
If a column of air is heated, it will: A) have a lower pressure at its base. B) become more dense. C) have a smaller vertical pressure gradient. D) contract.
C) have a smaller vertical pressure gradient.
Ozone depletion: A) is highest over the Arctic. B) occurs in a process that consumes one chlorine atom for each molecule of ozone broken apart. C) is considered a serious problem in most developed countries. D) is slowed by chlorofluorocarbons.
C) is considered a serious problem in most developed countries.
The atmosphere: A) has vertical wind speeds that are typically around one-tenth that of horizontal wind speeds. B) is about as deep as the planet is wide. C) is more than 99 percent contained within the first 60 miles from the earth's surface. D) has not changed substantially in composition since the earth formed over four billion years
C) is more than 99 percent contained within the first 60 miles from the earth's surface.
The heterosphere: A) lies below the homosphere. B) contains primarily heavy gases. C) is populated primarily by variable gases. D) is named for its chemical homogeneity.
C) is populated primarily by variable gases.
Carbon dioxide: A) comprises up to two percent of the atmospheric gases. B) is being removed from the atmosphere faster than it is being inputted. C) is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. D) is not present in significant amounts in the atmosphere of Venus
C) is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis.
The troposphere: A) is thinnest at the tropics. B) maintains a relatively constant temperature. C) is thicker in summer. D) often disappears near the poles in winter
C) is thicker in summer.
Sea level pressure: A) is usually less than surface pressure. B) is used in the United States, but not in Canada. C) is used to correct for elevation differences at different locations. D) usually disregards the effect of temperature on air pressure.
C) is used to correct for elevation differences at different locations.
Which of the following units of pressure measurement is used by Canadian meteorologists? A) inches of mercury B) pounds per square inch C) kilopascals D) millibars
C) kilopascals
Mercury barometer readings must be corrected for all of the following factors, except: A) temperature. B) changes in the acceleration of gravity with latitude. C) moisture content of the air. D) elevation above sea level.
C) moisture content of the air.
Respiration: A) occurs only when the Sun is shining. B) releases oxygen into the air. C) must give off less carbon than is fixed through photosynthesis if a plant is to experience net growth. D) does not affect the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
C) must give off less carbon than is fixed through photosynthesis if a plant is to experience net growth.
Vertical pressure changes _________ with height. A) incrementally B) uniformally C) non-linearly D) linearly
C) non-linearly
The evolution to an oxygen-rich atmosphere: A) was heavily dependent upon aerobic bacteria. B) would have occurred even if carbon dioxide had not been present. C) occurred at the same time the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide were decreasing. D) required large amounts of atmospheric nitrogen.
C) occurred at the same time the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide were decreasing.
The "ionosphere" is so designated because: A) satellites have a difficult time flying through it. B) visible sunlight is deflected by it. C) of the electrical charges of atoms associated with it. D) no radio waves can pass through it.
C) of the electrical charges of atoms associated with it.
