class set

When air rises over the open ocean, a low pressure system is formed. Which factor increases the potential of a low pressure system developing into a hurricane in the Northern Hemisphere?

*D. warm water temperatures in the tropics

Which of these is associated with hurricanes?

A. a storm that forces strong winds toward the ground B. a storm that develops in warm air closer to the equator C. a storm that develops many highpressure thunderstorm clouds *D. a storm that causes an area of low pressure beneath the warm air

Highaltitude cirrus clouds are primarily formed from which substance?

A. carbon dioxide gas *B. solid ice crystals C. nitrogen compounds D. ozone molecules

The average rainfall in Nevada is about 7 inches per year. The most likely reason for the low amount of rainfall is the

A. high elevations of deserts. B. location north of the equator. *C. lack of moisture in the air. D. great distance from the ocean.

If cyanobacteria had failed to appear on Earth, how would the evolution of Earth's atmosphere most likely be different?

*B. Earth's atmosphere would consist of volcanic gases and water vapor.

Hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean lasts from June to November. Which factor makes an Atlantic hurricane less likely to form during the month of March?

*B. cool ocean waters

The best description of the troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere with the

*B. greatest density.

What major and potentially catastrophic events can be predicted to occur in the Northern Hemisphere between the months of June and November?

*B. hurricanes

Scientists theorize that the original atmosphere of Earth was stripped away by the solar wind shortly after the formation of the planet. The Jovian planets are far enough from the Sun that the solar wind has less of an impact. Studies of the Jovian planets suggest the early atmosphere of Earth was mainly composed of which two gases?

*B. hydrogen and helium

Which element makes up most of the air we breathe.

*B. nitrogen

Which gas makes up the greatest percentage of Earth's atmosphere?

*B. nitrogen

Some jet airplanes fly in a layer of the atmosphere where temperature generally increases with altitude. What is this layer of the atmosphere?

*B. stratosphere

Which provides the oldest evidence for oxygen accumulation in Earth's atmosphere?

*B. the earliest sediments of oxidized rock

In which layer of the atmosphere does most of Earth's weather occur?

*B. the troposphere, which is the lowest layer

An increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is associated with an increase in global temperature. Which property of carbon dioxide is responsible for this temperature increase?

*C. Carbon dioxide keeps heat in the atmosphere from escaping into space.

A weather balloon is about 2 meters wide when it is near the ground. It grows to about 6 meters wide at higher altitudes. Which change most likely makes the balloon become wider at higher altitudes?

*C. The air pressure surrounding the balloon decreases.

Atmospheric greenhouse gases help heat the atmosphere by

*C. absorbing infrared radiation released by Earth.

Which two factors are most responsible for a flash flood?

*C. how much rain is falling and how long the rain lasts

In the nitrogen cycle, where is nitrogen found as an element?

*C. in the air

One substance found on Earth is more stable as an elemental gas than as part of a solid compound. As a result, this substance is very abundant in the atmosphere. Which substance exhibits these traits?

*C. nitrogen

The temperature of the stratosphere increases with altitude because of the presence of

*C. ozone.

Earth can be viewed as an engine and heat exchange is part of the engine system. Which would be an example of a transfer of energy from the atmosphere to the lithosphere?

*D. A hurricane moves from the Gulf of Mexico onto land.

Which of these statements best describes temperature as elevation in the atmosphere increases?

*D. Temperature generally decreases with elevation in the troposphere.

How is the stratosphere different from the troposphere?

*D. The temperature of the stratosphere warms at higher altitude.

How do the conditions for a tornado differ from the conditions for a hurricane?

*D. Tornadoes form over land, while hurricanes form over bodies of water.

The saturation of surface rock with oxygen early in Earth's history reflected a change in Earth's atmosphere. This change directly made which life process possible?

*D. aerobic respiration

What instrument should be used to monitor atmospheric pressure changes as a weather system approaches?

*D. barometer

Which of these gases, on average, has the lowest volume in the atmosphere of Earth?

*D. carbon dioxide

Which condition is associated with most warm fronts?

*D. cloud formations bringing precipitation

Which type of activity would most likely be included on a weather map?

*D. hurricane

The latitudes at which hot deserts are found are defined in part by enough direct solar heating to produce the high temperatures. Which of these is another primary factor that defines these deserts?

*D. location where atmospheric convection results in a dry air mass

In which layer of Earth's atmosphere does weather occur?

*D. troposphere

On Mount Everest the temperature decreases as the altitude increases. The summit of this mountain is in which atmospheric layer?

*D. troposphere

Which layer of the atmosphere contains the greatest amount of water vapor?

*D. troposphere

An air mass travels north over the Pacific Ocean, from the tropics, and then eastward across the United States. Which weather pattern can be expected?

*D. warm and wet

What is the primary cause of rainstorms?

*A. Earth is heated by the Sun.

Which group of organisms is most responsible for changing the composition of Earth's early atmosphere?

*A. algae

When a plane flies, it travels through air that contains gases, liquids, and solids. This area is best described as the

*A. atmosphere.

In the United States, lightning occurs most often in Florida. Which of these is a cause of lightning?

*A. discharge between rain clouds and Earth

Which four elements make up most of the human body?

*A. oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen

The reading on a barometer rises when the air

*A. pressure increases.

Which trait is common in gases that contribute to Earth's greenhouse effect?

*A. the ability to trap heat

Hurricanes are large tropical storms with heavy winds that exceed 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes produce heavy rains and may give rise to tornadoes. What is the source of the energy contained in hurricanes?

*A. thermal energy of ocean waters B. kinetic energy of ocean waves C. thermal energy of coastal lands D. mechanical energy of moving air

When cold air is at the tops of mountains, the air

*A. will flow toward areas of lower pressure in valleys.

Which best explains why air temperatures near mountaintops are often much colder than air temperatures near sea level?

*B. Air near mountaintops is less dense.

Which statement is describing climate?

A. It snowed 12 centimeters last night. *B. Last winter was colder than normal. C. There is a thunderstorm watch for the local area. D. The temperature will be between 32°C and 37°C all week.

A highspeed wind, called a jet stream, is moving from the west to the east across the United States. Which characteristic of this jet stream is most important in predicting weather patterns?

A. The jet stream controls the speed of surface wind. B. The jet stream controls the direction of surface wind. C. The jet stream separates moist northern air from dry southern air. *D. The jet stream separates cold northern air from warm southern air.

Meteorologists categorize hurricanes based on the SaffirSimpson scale. The scale measures the intensity and destructive potential of hurricanes. Which factor has the most significant effect on the strength of a hurricane?

A. the initial speed of a hurricane B. the direction that the hurricane rotates C. the number of hurricanes that form in a year *D. the temperature of the water below the hurricane

An air mass in a valley travels up a mountainside. What causes the movement of this air?

A. tidal pull of the moon's gravity B. evaporation of water from soil in the valley *C. warming by solar energy reradiated from the ground D. cooling effect of ice crystals in the air over the mountain