Exam 2 Ch 6 OCE1001 HW and Study questions

How does the inclination of Earth's axis change over the course of a year? The inclination of Earth's axis becomes shallower. The inclination of Earth's axis becomes steeper. The inclination of Earth's axis becomes shorter. The inclination of Earth's axis becomes longer. The inclination of Earth's axis does not change.

The inclination of Earth's axis does not change.

Why is sunlight more concentrated at the equator compared to the polar regions?

The sun comes in at a high angle at the equator compared to a low angle at the poles.

A jet stream generally diverges above a low-pressure (warm) center. However, at Earth's surface, air converges at a low-pressure center. If the divergence of the jet stream is greater than the convergence of air at the surface low-pressure center below it, what will happen to the surface winds? The surface winds will likely get stronger. The surface winds will likely get weaker. The surface winds will not change. The surface winds will begin to move downward.

The surface winds will likely get stronger.

What causes Earth's seasons?

The tilt of the axis

What two factors explain why the prevailing westerlies blow toward the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and the southwest in the Southern Hemisphere? The two factors are the trade winds and the Coriolis effect. The two factors are the direction of circulation in the Ferrel cell and the Coriolis effect. The two factors are the direction of circulation in the Ferrel cell and the polar easterlies. The two factors are the direction of circulation in the Hadley cell and the Coriolis effect. The two factors are the direction of circulation in the Hadley cell and the polar easterlies.

The two factors are the direction of circulation in the Ferrel cell and the Coriolis effect.

Why aren't hurricanes formed on the equator?

There is no Coriolis

As a result of the Coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, winds always are deflected: to the left of their original direction. to the east of their original direction. to the right of their original direction. at a 45° angle from their original direction. at a 90° angle from their original direction.

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? directly at B to the north of B to the south of B to the east of B to the west of B

to the west of B

The wind belt(s) with strong, reliable, generally easterly winds is (are) the: polar easterlies. horse latitudes. trade winds. doldrums westerlies.

trade winds.

What is the fuel for a tropical cyclone?

warmth and moisture

If Earth rotated in the opposite direction, how would global atmospheric circulation be affected? The global wind belts would blow in the opposite east-west direction. Atmospheric circulation would be organized into a total of 8 circulation cells (4 in the Northern Hemisphere and 4 in the Southern Hemisphere). The global wind belts would blow in the opposite north-south direction. The atmospheric circulation cells would reverse direction.

The global wind belts would blow in the opposite east-west direction.

Why are anticyclones not generally associated with clouds and rain? Air in anticyclones undergoes cooling as the air rises. Air in anticyclones undergoes cooling as the air descends. Air in anticyclones undergoes warming as the air descends. Air in anticyclones undergoes warming as the air rises.

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. Air in cyclones undergoes warming as it rises. Air in cyclones undergoes warming as it falls. Air in cyclones undergoes cooling as it falls.

Air in cyclones undergoes cooling as it rises.

Where does the length of day remain the same throughout the year? at the Tropic of Capricorn at the equator at the Tropic of Cancer within 10 degrees of the South Pole within 10 degrees of the North Pole

At equator

Assuming a child sitting in the center attempts to throw the ball directly to child D, which child will likely catch the ball? E H C D

C

Why are the polar regions usually high atmospheric pressure zones?

Cold air descends in the areas.

An air mass designated as mP would have which temperature and moisture characteristics?

Cold and humid

A cold air mass moving into an area occupied by relatively warm air is called a(n) ________. cold front high pressure system warm front low pressure system occluded front

Cold front

Wind moving around a low-pressure region in the Northern Hemisphere would move in what manner?

Cyclonic

The Coriolis effect is a result of what?

Earth spinning on it's axis

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's axis always points in the same direction relative to the stars. Earth has a satellite called the Moon, which rotates around Earth. Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one orbit each year. Earth spins on its axis, completing one rotation each day.

Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. Earth's axis always points in the same direction relative to the stars. Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one orbit each year. Earth spins on its axis, completing one rotation each day. (All but middle)

A tropical cyclone with a wind speed of 220 km/hr. would be classified as Category ________ on the Saffir-Simpson Scale of hurricane intensity. One Two Three Four Five

Four

The prevailing westerly winds blow in which of the following directions in the Southern Hemisphere? From northeast to southwest From northwest to southeast From southeast to northwest From southwest to northeast

From northwest to southeast

Which atmospheric circulation cell is closest to the equator?

Hadley cell

Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the Coriolis effect? Choose all that apply. The Coriolis effect is maximized near the equator. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes an object to be deflected to the left of its intended direction. The Coriolis effect is absent at the poles. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes an object to be deflected to the right of its intended direction. The Coriolis effect influences the speed of a moving object.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes an object to be deflected to the left of its intended direction. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes an object to be deflected to the right of its intended direction.

As latitude increases, the effect of Coriolis __________.

Increases

What type of force is the Coriolis effect? gravitational tensional accelerating frictional fictitious

fictitious

Which of the following are influenced by Coriolis effect. baseball, when hit by a bat by someone located at the Equator ocean currents helicopter, on a flight rainbow

Ocean currents helicopter, on a flight

Based on the characteristics, what is the name of the wind belt being described as cold, dry winds generally from the east? Polar easterlies Trade winds Prevailing winds None of the above

Polar easterlies

A boundary or belt characterized by cold deserts occurs in which of the following regions? Equatorial (0 to 5 degrees) 5 to 30 degrees 30 degrees 30 to 60 degrees 60 degrees 60 to 90 degrees Poles (90 degrees)

Poles (90 degrees)

Polar high pressure occurs in which of the following regions? Equatorial (0 to 5 degrees) 5 to 30 degrees 30 degrees 30 to 60 degrees 60 degrees 60 to 90 degrees Poles (90 degrees)

Poles(90 degrees)

Areas of low pressure tend to have ______ air and _____ weather. rising, stormy sinking, clear rising, clear sinking, stormy

Rising, stormy

Which of the following is responsible for 90% of the deaths associated with hurricanes? Strong winds Fflooding Storm surge Fallen trees Landslides

Storm surge

Which oceanic climate region is characterized by strong westerly winds and periodic strong storms?

Temperate

How does the location of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) change over time? The ITCZ migrates north of the equator in winter and south of the equator in summer. The ITCZ migrates south of the equator in Northern Hemisphere winter and north of the equator in Northern Hemisphere summer. The ITCZ migrates north of the equator in Northern Hemisphere winter and south of the equator in Northern Hemisphere summer. The ITCZ migrates south of the equator in winter and north of the equator in summer.

The ITCZ migrates south of the equator in Northern Hemisphere winter and north of the equator in Northern Hemisphere summer.

Which way does air converge on a cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere? in a clockwise direction toward the equator toward the South Pole in a counterclockwise direction toward the North Pole

in a counterclockwise direction

Where are Hadley cells found? in the water near the poles in the atmosphere near the poles in the atmosphere near the equator in the water near the equator

in the atmosphere near the equator

How does air move near the top of a cyclone? in the opposite direction to air in the upper atmosphere in the opposite direction to air in the lower atmosphere in the same direction as air in the lower atmosphere in the same direction as air in the upper atmosphere

in the same direction as air in the upper atmosphere

What is a major problem with using wind as an energy source?

inconsistency in wind strength

Typically, the United States is influenced more by ________ air masses during the winter and more by ________ air masses during the summer. polar; tropical polar; arctic tropical; arctic arctic; polar arctic; tropical

polar; tropical

A person experiences a popping feeling in their ears during the takeoff or landing of an airplane or while driving on steep mountain roads due to changes in the ________ of the atmosphere. density movement pressure temperature water vapor content

pressure

Earth's atmosphere is heated primarily by __________. solar energy interacting with the ionosphere solar energy interacting with the stratosphere re-radiation of solar energy from Earth's surface back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation conduction of heat from Earth's surface latent heat of condensation in storms

re-radiation of solar energy from Earth's surface back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation

Due to Coriolis, objects in the Northern Hemisphere are deflected to the ______, and objects in the Southern Hemisphere are deflected to the________.

right; left

Air warmed by the land that rises and is replaced by cooler air from the ocean may produce a: cold front. tropical cyclone. sea breeze. land breeze. typhoon.

sea breeze.

The majority of hurricane destruction is a result of what?

storm surge

The largest loss of life from a hurricane is usually due to: low atmospheric pressure. storm surge. high winds. intense precipitation. none of the above.

storm surge.

The Sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky, directly overhead along the Tropic of Cancer, during the: summer solstice. autumnal equinox. ecliptic. vernal equinox. winter solstice.

summer solstice.

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 __________. hurricanes do not occur in the eastern Pacific the Coriolis effect, necessary for the rotation of hurricanes, does not exist outside the tropics the western deserts keep the humidity too low for hurricanes to form the ocean water near the U.S. coast does not get warm enough to supply the needed heat energy for hurricanes the Rocky Mountains serve as a barrier to keep storms away from the coast

the ocean water near the U.S. coast does not get warm enough to supply the needed heat energy for hurricanes

The Coriolis effect is caused by __________. the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) Earth's magnetic field the rotation of Earth changes in Earth's rotational velocity the curvature of Earth

the rotation of the earth

What two features are many of Earth's deserts associated with? the subtropical highs and warm ocean currents found along the west coasts of continents the subtropical lows and warm ocean currents found along the west coasts of continents the subtropical lows and cool ocean currents found along the west coasts of continents the subtropical highs and cool ocean currents found along the west coasts of continents

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 the Earth's geographic North and South Poles are leaning in similar ways toward the Sun. the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly toward the Sun the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly away from the Sun

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 the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly away from the Sun The time of the year when Earth's geographic North and South Poles are leaning in similar ways toward the Sun

the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly toward the Sun

Ch 6 HW Questions

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Ch 6 Study Module Questions

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At what latitude(s) on Earth is the speed of rotation the greatest? 90 degrees north and south 60 degrees north and south 30 degrees north and south 0 degrees The speed of rotation is the same everywhere on Earth.

0 degrees

1. _____ winds are created when cold air descending the sheltered (leeward) side of the Rockies is warmed by compression. 2. A circulation pattern consisting of a light wind blowing into the city from the countryside is characteristic of a __________ . 3. A _________ is the result of the air over land heating, expanding, and rising, thereby creating a low-pressure area into which cooler air from over the ocean can move. 4. Heated air from mountain slopes gliding up along that slope results in a _______________.

1. Chinook 2. Country Breeze 3. Sea Breeze 4. Valley Breeze

The density of mercury is 13.5 times greater than the density of water. If you were to build a barometer that used water instead of mercury to record the standard pressure at sea level, what would be the height of that barometer? Assume that the mercury barometer is 76 centimeters, or 29.92 inches, long (this is the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level). 5.63 centimeters (2.21 inches) 110.29 centimeters (43.42 inches) 1026 centimeters (403.92 inches) 89.5 centimeters (35.24 inches)

1026 centimeters (403.92 inches)

If you were the captain of a sailing ship, which of the following latitudes would you want to avoid MOST? 0 degrees 45 degrees 10 degrees 20 degrees 30 degrees

30 degrees

The prevailing westerlies occur in which of the following regions? Equatorial (0 to 5 degrees) 5 to 30 degrees 30 degrees 30 to 60 degrees 60 degrees 60 to 90 degrees Poles (90 degrees)

30 to 60 degrees

Which of the following will cause the lowest air pressure at the surface? A column of cool, less dense air A column of warm, dense air A column of cool, dense air A column of warm, less dense air

A column of warm, less dense air

The weather on four different summer days is described below. On which day would you expect the greatest temperature range? Which day would have the smallest range in temperature? Drag the appropriate items into their respective bins.

greatest temp range: clear skies in day and night intermed: cloudy day and clear night, clear day and cloudy night least: cloudy day and night

Rank from highest to lowest wind speed.

Kansas, Idaho, Ohio, and Washington

During the course of a sunny day a __________-pressure region sets up over land and a ___________-pressure region sets up over the ocean.

Low; high

When are the Sun's rays perpendicular to Earth's surface at the equator? June Solstice March Equinox December Solstice September Equinox

March Equinox September Equinox

When do all locations on Earth experience equal lengths of day and night? December Solstice September Equinox March Equinox June Solstice

March Equinox September Equinox

What is the major gas contributing to dry air?

N2

Circulation in the atmosphere is influenced by whether the planetary body is rotating or nonrotating. Sort the following features by whether they apply to a rotating Earth, a nonrotating Earth, or neither. Drag the appropriate items into their respective bins.

Non rotating:-all surface air flows toward the equator-one pair of convection cells Rotating:-equatorial and subpolar air-presence of trade winds-three pairs of convection cells Neither:-all surface air flows poleward-air sinks at equator

At which latitude on the Earth is the speed of Earth's rotation the slowest? 30 degrees N and S Equator North and South poles 60 degrees N and S

North and South poles

Which wind belt curves to the right due to the Coriolis effect and blow from northeast to southwest? Southeast trade winds Northeast trade winds Polar easterly wind belts Prevailing westerly wind belts

Northeast trade winds

In which layer of the atmosphere is all weather generated? Tropopause Troposphere Stratosphere Ozone layer

Troposphere

In which layer of the atmosphere do temperatures decrease with increasing altitude?

Trotosphere

What are tropical cyclones called in the western North Pacific Ocean? Anti-cyclones Cyclones Hurricanes Typhoons

Typhoons

The Coriolis effect is due to changes in the ________ of Earth with latitude. pressure temperature chemical composition density velocity

Velocity

You are enjoying time at the beach on a warm summer day. It is late afternoon, and a breeze has started to develop. For most of the day, the winds were calm; the breeze only started within the past hour or so. Based on these details, what can you say about this breeze? Select all of the options that apply to this scenario. Select all that apply. The breeze is most likely a warm breeze coming from the nearby area of land. Warm land has now sufficiently heated the overlying air, so that cooler air over the ocean is now moving onshore as a sea breeze. The breeze is most likely a cool breeze coming from the water. Land was warmed by the Sun all day. Now that it's afternoon, the air over the ocean will begin to cool, drawing air from land.

Warm land has now sufficiently heated the overlying air, so that cooler air over the ocean is now moving onshore as a sea breeze. The breeze is most likely a cool breeze coming from the water.

Why is air with significant amounts of water vapor less dense than dry air?

Water vapor has less mass than the constituents of dry air.

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern. Autumnal equinox Summer solstice Westerlies Vernal equinox Ecliptic

Westerlies

The movement of air from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area is referred to as what?

Wind

What drives Hadley cell circulation pressure from air systems heating from volcanism heating from the Sun pressure from wind patterns

heating from the Sun

What is a tropical cyclone called in North and South America?

hurricane

Which of the following surfaces has the highest albedo?

ice

Increases in atmospheric and oceanic warming worldwide will most likely result in an increase in which ice structures?

icebergs

Which way does air converge on a cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere? toward the equator in a counterclockwise direction toward the South Pole toward the North Pole in a clockwise direction

in a clockwise direction

What is an anticylone? a center of low atmospheric temperature a center of low atmospheric pressure a center of high atmospheric temperature a center of high atmospheric pressure

a center of high atmospheric pressure

What is a cyclone? a center of high atmospheric pressure a center of low atmospheric temperature a center of high atmospheric temperature a center of low atmospheric pressure

a center of low atmospheric pressure

Understanding wind movement is increasingly important as wind power becomes more common. Wind turbines are driven by air and create electricity, so faster air means more power. Air close to Earth's surface doesn't move as quickly because it is slowed by friction with Earth's surface. Wind turbines are tall in order to access the faster-moving air above Earth's surface. Which of the following options describe the features of the ideal location to erect wind turbines in order to generate the most electricity? Select the two that apply. a strong pressure gradient close to the ground flat, elevated land a weak pressure gradient

a strong pressure gradient flat, elevated land

The percentage of solar radiation reflected from the surface of Earth back into space is known as the __________. solar footprint albedo ecliptic declination equinox

albedo

A day when the sun is directly over the equator at solar noon is referred to as what?

an equinox

Which areas of Earth experience the most precipitation? areas near the polar front areas near the subtropical highs areas near the ITCZ

areas near the ITCZ

In the Northern Hemisphere, September 23 is known as ________. vernal equinox winter solstice summer solstice autumnal equinox

autumnal equinox

In which direction must the merry-go-round be pushed to simulate the Coriolis effect on Earth? clockwise clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere counterclockwise back and forth clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

counterclockwise

What physical property of air allows some parcels to rise and others to sink?

density

What is the name of the boundary between the two trade wind belts?

doldrums

Which way does air move in an anticyclone in the Northern Hemisphere? up, and in a counterclockwise direction down, and in a counterclockwise direction down, and in a clockwise direction up, and in a clockwise direction

down, and in a clockwise direction

Which way does air move in an anticyclone in the Southern Hemisphere? up, and in a counterclockwise direction up, and in a clockwise direction down, and in a clockwise direction down, and in a counterclockwise direction

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 fall during the Northern Hemisphere summer during the Northern Hemisphere spring during the Northern Hemisphere winter

during the Northern Hemisphere winter