GEOG 104 Ch. 6
What is true about the Subtropical High Pressure System? (Select all that apply.) A : It is characterized by denser, warmer air. B : It is found at slightly higher latitudes than the ITCZ. C : It is composed of drier, descending air. D : It is formed by the warming of air in the upper atmosphere.
A : It is characterized by denser, warmer air. B : It is found at slightly higher latitudes than the ITCZ. D : It is formed by the warming of air in the upper atmosphere.
Which of the following is a way that air temperature can affect air pressure? (Select all that apply.) A : Surface cooling causes air to become denser. B : Surface cooling causes air to retain starting density. C : Surface heating causes air to become denser. D : Surface heating causes air to become less dense.
A : Surface cooling causes air to become denser. B : Surface cooling causes air to retain starting density. D : Surface heating causes air to become less dense.
Which of the following processes help to balance the difference in surface heating between the poles and the Equator? (Select all that apply.) A : circulation B : convection C : conduction D : advection
A : circulation B : convection D : advection
Which of the following is associated with high-pressure systems? (Select all that apply.) A : clear or fair weather B : clockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere C : counterclockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere D : warmed, rising air
A : clear or fair weather B : clockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere C : counterclockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere
Which of the following is associated with tropical circulation? (Select all that apply.) A : warm temperatures B : the ITCZ C : air rising D : high pressure
A : warm temperatures B : the ITCZ C : air rising
Which of the following is an accurate analysis of a pressure map? A: Arrows indicate wind moving from high to low. B: Wider spaced isobars indicate faster wind speeds. C: Closer spaced isobars indicate slower wind speeds. D: Arrows indicate straight-line paths of wind.
A: Arrows indicate wind moving from high to low.
Which of the following is the correct compass heading for a wind referred to as an "easterly"? A: east to west B: northeast to southeast C: west to east D: southeast to south
A: east to west
Very cold air is usually associated with A: high pressure. B: low density. C: cyclones. D: high humidity.
A: high pressure.
Which of the following forces is at work in geostrophic winds? (Select all that apply.) A : frictional force B : Coriolis force C : gravity D : pressure gradient force
B : Coriolis force C : gravity D : pressure gradient force
Which of the following is associated with low-pressure systems? (Select all that apply.) A : clockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere B : cloudy or stormy weather C : warmed, rising air D : clockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere
B : cloudy or stormy weather C : warmed, rising air D : clockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere
Coriolis force is caused by which of the following? A: Earth's tilt B: Earth's rotation C: gravity D: Earth's revolution
B: Earth's rotation
Which of the following explains why winds at ground level are slower and move in irregular ways? A: Unequal heating of Earth changes the surface characteristics over which wind flows. B: Friction force creates drags and impediments created by surface features. C: Pressure gradient force sends wind flowing over a smooth, uniform surface. D: Coriolis force works as Earth rotates eastward and deflects wind's path.
B: Friction force creates drags and impediments created by surface features.
Where is the friction force at its strongest? A: high in the stratosphere B: at ground level C: over the Equator D: at about 1500 m or 5000 ft
B: at ground level
Why is air pressure usually lower at higher altitudes than at lower ones? A: barometrics B: gravity and molecular density C: migration of low-pressure systems D: colder temperatures
B: gravity and molecular density
The primary task of the global circulation is to A: cause vertical motion and convection in the atmosphere. B: redistribute the excess heat accumulated near the equator. C: bring about an unequal pressure distribution over different parts of the world. D: bring moisture and precipitation to dry regions.
B: redistribute the excess heat accumulated near the equator.
High pressure at the surface is usually associated with which of the following? A: surface heating B: surface cooling C: air rising D: air stagnating
B: surface cooling
Low pressure at the surface is associated with which of the following? A: air stagnating B: surface heating C: surface cooling D: air sinking
B: surface heating
Which of the following describes the pressure gradient force? A: It is the only force acting on atmospheric flows in the upper troposphere. B: It decreases with height above the surface. C: It attempts to move air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure. D: It causes apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.
C: It attempts to move air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure.
What is true about the polar circulation? A: It forms the polar easterlies, which are winds that flow from west to east. B: It is a complex circulatory loop where air flows and warms at the Polar Front. C: It is made up of very cold, dry air that forms the Polar Front in both hemispheres. D: It creates a system called the Polar Low, which is a weak mass of ascending air.
C: It is made up of very cold, dry air that forms the Polar Front in both hemispheres.
Which of the following is true of the pressure gradient force? A: High-pressure systems move away from low-pressure systems. B: Air flows to balance a pressure difference between distant locations. C: The greater the pressure difference between two areas, the faster the air flows between them. D: The lesser the pressure difference, the faster the air flows.
C: The greater the pressure difference between two areas, the faster the air flows between them.
On a weather map of air pressure, what can you infer if isobars are spaced widely from one another? A: The tilt of the Earth on its axis varies slightly from one time of the year to the next. B: The Earth is not a perfect sphere. C: Wind speeds in this area will be slow. D: The Sun is not at the center of the Earth's orbit and the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit varies over time.
C: Wind speeds in this area will be slow.
The horizontal flow of air from a high-pressure system to a low-pressure system is which of the following? A: conduction B: convection C: advection D: radiation
C: advection
Monsoonal winds are caused by which of the following? A: the Tradewinds B: increased precipitation C: the seasonal migration of the ITCZ D: the Westerlies
C: the seasonal migration of the ITCZ
Which of the following describes the force of friction? A: It attempts to move air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure. B: It is the only force acting on atmospheric flows in the upper troposphere. C: It causes apparent deflection of winds from a straight path. D: It decreases with height above the surface.
D: It decreases with height above the surface.
What is true about the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)? A: It is characterized by clear skies and dry weather. B: It is fueled by diverging airflow called the trade winds. C: It forms the equatorial ridge of more dense and less buoyant air. D: It is associated with an area of low atmospheric pressure.
D: It is associated with an area of low atmospheric pressure.
What initiates the global atmospheric circulation at the tropics? A: unequal periods of cold and warm temperatures B: equal periods of cold and warm temperatures C: extremely cold temperatures D: extremely warm temperatures
D: extremely warm temperatures
In the absence of friction, the combined effect of the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force produces A: airflow perpendicular to the isobars. B: surface winds. C: airflow from low- to high-pressure centers. D: geostrophic winds.
D: geostrophic winds.
Very warm air is usually associated with A: high density. B: anticyclones. C: no humidity. D: low pressure.
D: low pressure.
The summer monsoon of Asia is associated with A: winds from the north. B: the dry season. C: relatively high pressure in southern Asia. D: relatively low pressure in southern Asia.
D: relatively low pressure in southern Asia.
Deflection in the Northern Hemisphere caused by Coriolis force is toward which direction when viewed from the North Pole? A: south B: the left C: north D: the right
D: the right
What is the primary purpose of midlatitude circulation? A: to mix warm polar air with warm tropical air B: to mix cool polar air with cool tropical air C: to mix warm polar air with cool tropical air D: to mix cool polar air with warm tropical air
D: to mix cool polar air with warm tropical air
What is the ultimate cause for all wind patterns and pressure systems on Earth? A: Earth's rotation B: Coriolis force and mixing of air C: constant amount of solar radiation D: unequal heating of land surfaces
D: unequal heating of land surfaces
Anticyclones in the Northern Hemisphere are characterized by _________ flow and _______ motion.
clockwise; sinking
