Chapter 6 Oceanography
Which of the following is the correct order of formation of sea ice as it forms directly from seawater?
(START) Slush; Pancake Ice; Ice Floes; Sea Ice (FINISH)
Why does wind between the equator and 30 degrees south come out of the southeast?
Cooled air moves north toward the equator and is deflected toward the west by the Coriolis effect.
Which of the following countries is the world leader (by percentage of its energy use) in wind power?
Denmark
The prevailing westerly winds blow in which of the following directions in the Southern Hemisphere?
From northwest to southeast
Which areas of Earth experience the most precipitation?
areas near the ITCZ
Where does the length of day remain the same throughout the year?
at the equator
Which way does air move in an anticyclone in the Southern Hemisphere?
down, and in a counterclockwise direction
When would you expect the low-pressure cell over the North Pole to be most developed?
during the Northern Hemisphere winter
What did the NASA satellite measure as it made passes above Hurricane Arthur in 2014?
the extent and intensity of the rain bands
The thickness of sea ice is limited primarily by __________.
the insulating nature of the ice itself
The oceanic climate region(s) where the majority of strong tropical cyclonic storms are produced is:
tropical.
The lowermost portion of the atmosphere where most weather occurs is called the:
troposphere.
All the following are true of the movement of Earth's atmosphere except :
warm air is less dense than cool air so it tends to sink toward the Earth's surface.
The average albedo of Earth's surface is about:
30%
What category hurricane was Ike?
4
At what latitude(s) on Earth is the speed of rotation the greatest?
0 degrees
The polar front is labeled number:
1 (latitude line closest to the North Pole)
At what wind speed does a tropical storm become a hurricane?
120 kilometers (74 miles) per hour
A hurricane blows onto the East Coast of the United States on September 16, 2017. The maximum sustained wind speed is 176 kilometers (109 miles) per hour and the sea level height is pushed 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) above normal. What category is this hurricane?
2
The Trade Winds are one type of prevailing wind pattern. How many other types of prevailing winds are there among earth's global wind patterns?
2
The westerlies wind belt is the area corresponding to number:
2
Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of ________.
23.5°
A boundary or belt characterized by light, variable winds, dry, clear, fair weather with little precipitation occurs in which of the following regions?
30 degrees
Storms are most common in which of the following regions?
30 to 60 degrees
The prevailing westerlies occur in which of the following regions?
30 to 60 degrees
How big can the diameter of a hurricane become?
500 miles
A boundary or belt characterized by variable winds and stormy, cloudy weather year round occurs in which of the following regions?
60 degrees
The polar front occurs in which of the following regions?
60 degrees
A boundary or belt characterized by cold, dry winds generally from the east, occurs in which of the following regions?
60 to 90 degrees
At what latitude(s) are most major deserts of the world located?
90 degrees north and south latitude 30 degrees north and south latitude
The organized, denser portion of Hurricane Katrina (not including the wispy outer spiral bands) was:
900 km in diameter on August 28 at 9 P.M.
Which of the following will cause the highest air pressure at the surface?
A column of cool, dense air
Which of the following will cause the lowest air pressure at the surface?
A column of warm, less dense air
Why is warm, moist air considered the "fuel" for a hurricane?
Air cools as it rises. As air cools, water vapor will condense out as liquid water. Condensation releases heat, providing energy to the hurricane.
Why are anticyclones not generally associated with clouds and rain?
Air in anticyclones undergoes warming as the air descends.
Why are cyclones generally associated with clouds and rain?
Air in cyclones undergoes cooling as it rises.
Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the anatomy of a hurricane?
Air moves from high to low pressure and curves to the right due to the Coriolis effect in the Northern Hemisphere. Warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, creating a low pressure system. Torrential rain and thunderstorms are common within the spiral rain bands.
Of the following statements about the tilt of Earth's axis, which one is true?
An increase in Earth's tilt would cause colder winters and warmer summers.
Hurricane Katrina moved 425 km during which of these time periods?
August 28 at 10 A.M. to August 29 at 10 A.M.
Which of the following characteristics of Earth's relationship to the Sun explains the existence of Earth's seasons?
Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one orbit each year. Earth's axis always points in the same direction relative to the stars. Earth spins on its axis, completing one rotation each day.
Weather (short-term conditions of air temperature, wind speed/direction, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure) occurs because __________.
Earth's surface is heated unevenly by the Sun
A boundary or belt characterized by light, variable winds, abundant cloudiness and much precipitation occurs of the following regions?
Equatorial (0 to 5 degrees)
Earth's breeding ground for hurricanes occurs in which of the following regions?
Equatorial (0 to 5 degrees)
The Doldrums occur in which of the following regions?
Equatorial (0 to 5 degrees)
Why does air tend to rise in equatorial regions?
Equatorial regions receive more direct sunlight than other areas.
Part complete The polar easterly winds blow in which of the following directions in the Northern Hemisphere?
From northeast to southwest
The trade winds blow in which of the following directions in the Northern Hemisphere?
From northeast to southwest
How do high pressure systems behave in the Northern Hemisphere?
High pressure systems rotate clockwise due to air turning to the right as it moves from high pressure to low pressure.
Which of the following statements is/are true regarding low pressure systems?
In the Northern Hemisphere, low pressure systems are cyclonic. Rising air in a Northern Hemisphere low pressure system is akin to opening a valve by turning it to the left.
Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the Coriolis effect?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes an object to be deflected to the right of its intended direction. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes an object to be deflected to the left of its intended direction.
What is the typical path for a North Atlantic hurricane to follow?
It begins in the low latitudes of the Atlantic, is pushed westward by the trade winds, curves to the right due to the Coriolis effect, and then, once it is in the midlatitudes, it is pushed to the east by the prevailing westerlies.
What was so notable about Hurricane Katrina?
It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. It was a very strong category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 280 kilometers (175 miles) per hour. It was one of the top five deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
What was so notable about Hurricane Sandy?
It was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, in terms of diameter and extent.
When are the Sun's rays perpendicular to Earth's surface at the equator?
March Equinox September Equinox
When do all locations on Earth experience equal lengths of day and night?
March Equinox September Equinox
Which of the following features in illustrated in the photo?
Pancake Ice
Which of the following features in illustrated in the photo?
Pressure Ridges
Why is heavy rain associated with hurricane formation?
Rising, moist air cools. As air cools, water condenses and eventually falls.
The strength of a hurricane is ranked from 1 to 5 on the:
Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Which of the following statements regarding sea-surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico during the time period covered by the animation is correct?
Sea-surface temperature decreased after the passage of Hurricane Katrina due to the latent heat of condensation.
Which of the following climatic regions exists at the following location: Latitude: 60°S Longitude: 170°W?
Subpolar
Which of the following climatic regions exists at the following location: Latitude: 30°S Longitude: 80°E?
Subtropical
Which of the following climatic regions exists at the following location: Latitude: 40°S Longitude: 20°W?
Subtropical
Why is the direction of rotation in the Northern Hemisphere opposite the direction of rotation in the Southern Hemisphere?
The Coriolis effect causes opposite deflections in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere.
Why don't tropical storms that form on the equator develop into hurricanes?
The Coriolis effect is absent.
How does the location of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) change over time?
The ITCZ migrates south of the equator in Northern Hemisphere winter and north of the equator in Northern Hemisphere summer.
Judge the following sentence according to the criteria given below: The rate of sea ice formation slows as sea ice thickens BECAUSE the ice insulates the underlying water from freezing due to its poor heat conduction.
The assertion and the reason are both correct, and the reason is valid.
Which of the following statements about sea-surface temperatures during the time period covered by the animation is correct?
The coldest temperature in the Gulf of Mexico was 27°C.
Which of the following statements is/are true about the formation or movement of hurricanes?
The cyclonic flow of air currents in a hurricane is a result of the Coriolis effect. The latent heat stored in water vapor provides the energy that fuels the storm. Hurricanes are storms that form over warm ocean water. Hurricanes generally travel from the east toward the west because of the trade winds.
How does the inclination of Earth's axis change over the course of a year?
The inclination of Earth's axis does not change.
Which of the following statements regarding moving air is/are true?
The movement of air is called wind. Air always moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Due to the Coriolis effect, objects are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. Cyclonic flow is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Which of the following statements is/are true about middle latitude storms (between 30 and 60 degrees latitude) in the United States?
The polar front generates strong storms because different air masses converge there. The jet stream can steer polar air masses far to the south and tropical air masses far to the north. Maritime polar air masses travel from west to east, causing winter storms.
Which of the following statements about water temperatures at 25° N, 84° W from August 25 to August 30 is correct?
The temperature decreased from 32°C to 27°C.
Of the following statements about the trade winds, which is/are true?
The trade winds are strong and steady winds. The trade winds generally blow from the east to the west. The trade winds are found between about 5 and 30 degrees north or south latitude.
What is the air that sinks at latitudes of 30 degrees north and south like?
This air is cool and dry.
Which of the following is not one of the names associated with huge rotating masses of low pressure characterized by strong winds and torrential rain?
Vortex
In which direction would winds move at the poles if Earth rotated in the opposite direction?
Wind from the north pole would move to the southeast, and the wind from the south pole would move to the northeast.
Which of the following statements regarding the wind belts and the wind belt boundaries is/are true?
Winds blow from high to low pressure. Winds are named according to the direction they come from. Deserts are found in Greenland and Antarctica.
What is an anticylone?
a center of high atmospheric pressure
What is a cyclone?
a center of low atmospheric pressure
What is a tropical cyclone?
a low-pressure disturbance that develops over warm, tropical waters
The percentage of solar radiation reflected from the surface of Earth back into space is known as the __________.
albedo
In the figure above, which shows a snapshot of atmospheric pressures and winds in a typical January. At which of the labeled locations would you expect to find clear, sunny skies?
b
Winds blowing out of the north toward the south in the southern hemisphere will appear to:
be deflected toward the east.
Which of the following locations has/have the potential to reliably harness wind power as a renewable energy source?
between 5 and 30 degrees latitude between 30 and 60 degrees latitude
If a 19th-century mariner was sailing across the Pacific, where might he or she have gotten stuck, needing to "throw the horses overboard?"
c
A cold air mass moving into an area occupied by relatively warm air is called a/an:
cold front.
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
In which direction must the merry-go-round be pushed to simulate the Coriolis effect on Earth?
counterclockwise
Low-pressure regions in the northern hemisphere rotate:
counterclockwise.
Which of the following names mean "tropical cyclone"?
cyclone, typhoon, hurricane
In the figure above, where on the diagram are the northeast trade winds?
d
Idealized pressure belts and wind systems are significantly modified by Earth's tilted axis of rotation and:
differences in the heat capacities of the ocean and land.
Which way does air move in an anticyclone in the Northern Hemisphere?
down, and in a clockwise direction
In the figure above, which shows Earth's main wind belts (green arrows), atmospheric circulation cells (red and blue arrows), and places where clear skies (sun icons) and cloudy conditions (cloud icons) prevail. Where on the diagram does rising air create a low pressure system?
e, i
Light and variable winds, warm and humid conditions, and frequent rainfall are characteristic of __________ oceanic climate zones.
equatorial
What type of force is the Coriolis effect?
fictitious
The intensity of solar radiation received at lower latitudes (near the equator) compared to higher latitudes (near the poles) is:
greater
What drives Hadley cell circulation?
heating from the Sun
As discussed in the video, air always moves from _____ atmospheric pressure regions to _____ atmospheric pressure regions.
high;low
When ice forms from seawater, the remaining seawater will have a:
higher salinity.
Which way does air converge on a cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere?
in a clockwise direction
Which way does air converge on a cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere?
in a counterclockwise direction
In coastal regions, sea breezes happen ________ and land breezes happen ________.
in the afternoon; at night
Where are Hadley cells found?
in the atmosphere near the equator
How does air move near the top of a cyclone?
in the same direction as air in the upper atmosphere
The strength of a hurricane stems from water's:
latent heat of condensation
Where are tropical cyclones found?
lower and middle latitudes
The two most abundant components of dry air are:
nitrogen and oxygen.
Typically, the United States is influenced more by ________ air masses during the winter and more by ________ air masses during the summer.
polar; tropical
Earth's atmosphere is heated primarily by __________.
re-radiation of solar energy from Earth's surface back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation
Even though it's on the same spinning planet, the Coriolis effect influences moving objects and diverts them to the _____ of their intended direction in the Northern Hemisphere and to the _____ of their intended direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
right; left
Air warmed by the land that rises and is replaced by cooler air from the ocean may produce a:
sea breeze.
Which way would wind travel in the region between 30 and 60 degrees latitude if Earth stopped rotating?
south in the Southern Hemisphere and north in the Northern Hemisphere
The oceanic climate region that is characterized by sea ice coverage in the winter and open water with low sea surface temperature in the summer is:
subpolar.
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.
What term is used to describe the effect on air movement produced by Earth's rotation?
the Coriolis effect
Hurricanes frequently make landfall on the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts, but rarely, if ever, occur on the Pacific coast. The primary reason for the rarity of west coast hurricanes is that __________.
the ocean water does not get warm enough to supply the needed heat energy for hurricanes
The Coriolis effect is caused by __________.
the rotation of Earth
What two features are many of Earth's deserts associated with?
the subtropical highs and cool ocean currents found along the west coasts of continents
What is the December solstice?
the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly away from the Sun
What is the June solstice?
the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly toward the Sun
As a result of the Coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, winds always are deflected:
to the right of their original direction.
You just got your pilot's license, and you want to fly your plane from point A to point B. You remember from your oceanography class that you must account for the Coriolis effect when aiming for your destination. Where must you aim to land at point B?
to the west of B
The air surrounding of the eye of the hurricane is ________ air moving ________.
warm moist; upward
What conditions are required for a hurricane to form?
warm ocean temperatures the Coriolis effect
The temperate regions are characterized by:
westerly winds
The atmospheric high-pressure cells over North America in the map suggest that the atmospheric patterns shown most likely represent which season for the northern hemisphere?
winter
The Coriolis effect is _____ at the equator and is _____ at the poles.
zero; strongest
