Deck 7: Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation

Question 1

The temperature at which an air mass reaches water vapor saturation.

A) absolute humidity
B) maximum humidity
C) dew-point
D) specific humidity
E) relative humidity

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The measurable amount of water vapor that is in a definable body of air

A) humidity
B) maximum humidity
C) hydrologic cycle
D) specific humidity
E) relative humidity

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The wet adiabatic lapse rate is

A) the average change in temperature of still air with altitude.
B) changes in temperature that occur due to variations in air pressure.
C) the rate at which an unsaturated body of air cools while lifting or warms while descending.
D) the altitude at which water changes from the vapor to the liquid phase.
E) the rate at which a saturated body of air cools as it lifts.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

A drop of water contains ______ of molecules of H₂O.

A) trillions
B) billions
C) millions
D) thousands
E) hundreds

Question 5

Which of the following is not a factor in evapotranspiration?

A) specific humidity wnd direction
B) net radiation plant life
C) relative humidity
D) air temperature
E) wind speed

Question 6

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is

A) the average change in temperature of still air with altitude.
B) the change in temperature that occurs due to variations in air pressure.
C) the rate at which an unsaturated body of air cools while lifting or warms while descending.
D) the altitude at which water changes from the vapor to the liquid phase.
E) the rate at which a saturated body of air cools as it lifts.

Question 7

Select all of the following that affect evapotranspiration rates.

A) net radiation
B) air temperature
C) relative humidity
D) wind speed
E) specific humidity

Question 8

The vast majority of water on the Earth is stored in

A) ice sheets and glaciers.
B) freshwater lakes and streams.
C) the atmosphere.
D) the oceans.
E) groundwater.

Question 9

Transpiration is the

A) measurable amount of water vapor that is in a definable body of air.
B) combined process of evaporation and precipitation.
C) main process through which water changes from the liquid to the vapor phase.
D) passage of water from leaf pores to the atmosphere.
E) process through which water changes from the vapor to the liquid phase.

Question 10

The maximum amount of water vapor that a definable body of air can hold at a given temperature

A) humidity
B) maximum humidity
C) hydrologic cycle
D) specific humidity
E) relative humidity

Question 11

Place the following labels on the figure:
"oceans"
"ice sheets,glaciers"
"groundwater"
"rivers,streams"
"atmosphere"
"fresh water lakes"
"salt beds,inland seas"

Question 12

Level of condensation is

A) the average change in temperature of still air with altitude.
B) changes in temperature that occur due to variations in air pressure.
C) the rate at which an unsaturated body of air cools while lifting or warms while descending.
D) the altitude at which water changes from the vapor to the liquid phase.
E) the rate at which a saturated body of air cools as it lifts.

Question 13

: Part 1: When the _________ reaches 100%,the air is saturated and can hold no more water vapor.

A) absolute humidity
B) maximum humidity
C) dew point
D) specific humidity
E) relative humidity

Question 14

When water changes its physical state,_________ heat energy is either lost or gained.

A) convective
B) conductive
C) radiative
D) sensible
E) latent

Question 15

How could you tell convectional uplift was taking place around you?

Question 16

Liquid water is transformed into water vapor through which of the following? (select one or more)

A) condensation
B) freezing
C) evaporation
D) transpiration
E) sublimation

Question 17

The environmental lapse rate is

A) the average change in temperature of still air with altitude.
B) changes in temperature that occur due to variations in air pressure.
C) the rate at which an unsaturated body of air cools while lifting or warms while descending.
D) the altitude at which water changes from the vapor to the liquid phase.
E) the rate at which a saturated body of air cools as it lifts.

Question 18

The ratio between the measurable amount of water vapor that is in a definable body of air and the maximum amount of water vapor that a definable body of air can hold at a given temperature

A) relative humidity
B) maximum humidity
C) hydrologic cycle
D) specific humidity
E) total humidity

Question 19

Evapotranspiration is the

A) measurable amount of water vapor that is in a definable body of air.
B) combined process of evaporation and transpiration.
C) process through which water changes from the liquid to the vapor solid phase.
D) passage of water from leaf pores to the atmosphere.
E) process through which water changes from the vapor to the liquid phase.

Question 20

Stable air is

A) a body of air that has a relatively low environmental lapse rate compared to potential average uplifting air.
B) a body of air that has a relatively high environmental lapse rate compared to potential average uplifting air.
C) the side of a mountain range that faces prevailing winds.
D) the side of a mountain range that faces opposite the prevailing wind direction.
E) the body of land on the leeward side of a mountain range that is relatively dry and hot due to adiabatic warming.

Question 21

Uplift of air that occurs when bubbles of warm air rise within an unstable body of air is known as

A) convectional uplift.
B) orographic uplift.
C) frontal uplift.
D) convergent uplift.
E) cyclonic uplift.

Question 22

Uplift that occurs along the boundary of contrasting bodies of air.

A) convectional uplift
B) orographic uplift
C) frontal uplift
D) convergent uplift
E) cyclonic uplift

Question 23

Low clouds associated with long-term rain or snow events are called

A) cirrus clouds.
B) nimbostratus clouds.
C) cumulus clouds.
D) cumulonimbus clouds.
E) stratus clouds.

Question 24

A body of air that has a relatively high environmental lapse rate compared to average potential uplifting air.

A) stable air
B) unstable air
C) windward side
D) leeward side
E) rain shadow

Question 25

The windward side of a mountain range is

A) a body of air that has a relatively low environmental lapse rate compared to potential uplifting air.
B) a body of air that has a relatively high environmental lapse rate compared to potential uplifting air.
C) the side of a mountain range that faces prevailing winds.
D) the side of a mountain range that faces opposite the prevailing wind direction.
E) the body of land on the leeward side of a mountain range that is relatively dry and hot due to adiabatic warming.

Question 26

Cumulus clouds are

A) thin, wispy clouds that develop high in the troposphere.
B) low clouds affiliated with long-term rain or snow events.
C) individual puffy clouds that develop due to convection.
D) low clouds that grow to great heights during short-term, severe storms.
E) layered sheets of clouds that have a thick and dark appearance.

Question 27

Uplift that occurs when a flowing body of air encounters a mountain range.

A) convectional uplift
B) orographic uplift
C) frontal uplift
D) convergent uplift
E) cyclonic uplift

Question 28

Frontal uplift is uplift of air that occurs

A) when bubbles of warm air rise within an unstable body of air.
B) when a flowing body of air encounters a mountain range.
C) along the boundary of contrasting bodies of air.
D) when large bodies of air meet in a central location.
E) when bubbles of warm air rise within a stable body of air.

Question 29

Thin,wispy clouds that develop high in the troposphere are called

A) cirrus clouds.
B) nimbostratus clouds.
C) cumulus clouds.
D) cumulonimbus clouds.
E) stratus clouds.

Question 30

Low clouds that grow to great heights during short-term,severe storms are

A) cirrus clouds.
B) nimbostratus clouds.
C) cumulus clouds.
D) cumulonimbus clouds.
E) stratus clouds.

Question 31

Convectional uplift is uplift of air that occurs

A) when bubble of warm air rise within an unstable body of air.
B) when a flowing body of air encounters a mountain range.
C) along the boundary of contrasting bodies of air.
D) when large bodies of air meet in a central location.
E) when bubbles of warm air rise within a stable body of air.

Question 32

Layered sheets of clouds that have a thick and dark appearance are known as

A) cirrus clouds.
B) nimbostratus clouds.
C) cumulus clouds.
D) cumulonimbus clouds.
E) stratus clouds

Question 33

Uplift of air that occurs when large bodies of air meet in a central location.

A) convectional uplift
B) orographic uplift
C) frontal uplift
D) convergent uplift
E) cyclonic uplift

Question 34

Cumulonimbus clouds are

A) thin, wispy clouds that develop high in the troposphere.
B) low clouds affiliated with long-term rain or snow events.
C) individual puffy clouds that develop due to convection.
D) low clouds that grow to great heights during short-term, severe storms.
E) layered sheets of clouds that have a thick and dark appearance.

Question 35

Nimbostratus clouds are

A) thin, wispy clouds that develop high in the troposphere.
B) low clouds affiliated with long-term rain or snow events.
C) individual puffy clouds that develop due to convection.
D) low clouds that grow to great heights during short-term, severe storms.
E) layered sheets of clouds that have a thick and dark appearance.

Question 36

Individual puffy clouds that develop due to convection are

A) cirrus clouds.
B) nimbostratus clouds.
C) cumulus clouds.
D) cumulonimbus clouds.
E) stratus clouds.

Question 37

Orographic uplift is uplift of air that occurs

A) when bubbles of warm air rise within an unstable body of air.
B) when a flowing body of air encounters a mountain range.
C) along the boundary of contrasting bodies of air.
D) when large bodies of air meet in a central location.
E) when bubbles of warm air rise within a stable body of air.

Question 38

Water can move upward in thin tubes all by itself,defying gravity!

Question 39

Water can change from a vapor to a solid through a process known as sublimation without entering a liquid phase.

Question 40

Melting /freezing absorbs/releases more heat energy than condensation/evaporation.

Question 41

The body of land on the leeward side of a mountain range that is relatively dry and hot due to adiabatic warming.

A) stable air
B) unstable air
C) windward side
D) leeward side
E) rain shadow

Question 42

Water molecules have both a positive and a negative end.

Question 43

What is the name given to thin and wispy clouds?

A) cumulus
B) stratus
C) cirrus
D) fog
E) nimbus

Question 44

What is the name given to layered clouds?

A) cumulus
B) stratus
C) cirrus
D) fog
E) nimbus

Question 45

What is the name given to ground-level clouds?

A) cumulus
B) stratus
C) cirrus
D) fog
E) nimbus

Question 46

.What is the name given to clouds that are producing rain in convection-cell thunderstorms?

A) cumulus
B) nimbostratus
C) cirrus
D) cumulonimbus

Question 47

When water turns to ice,it releases heat in a process called the latent heat of freezing.

Question 48

How much does water expand when it freezes?

A) 9%
B) 0%
C) -4%
D) 15%

Question 49

Water is capable of moving upward against the pull of gravity through thin openings; this movement is called

A) hydrogen bonding.
B) gravitational uplift.
C) capillary action.
D) hydrology.

Question 50

The side of a mountain range that faces opposite of the prevailing wind direction.

A) stable air
B) unstable air
C) windward side
D) leeward side
E) rain shadow

Question 51

Water drops are round because of magnetic forces.

Question 52

What is the name given to puffy clouds?

A) cumulus
B) stratus
C) cirrus
D) fog
E) nimbus

Question 53

If water is cooling from 100˚C,when will it reach its maximum density?

A) 100˚C
B) 0˚C
C) 25˚CC
D) 4˚C

Question 54

What percentage of the total amount of energy in the atmosphere is held as latent energy?

A) 60%
B) 12%
C) 30%
D) 5%

Question 55

How much energy per gram is absorbed as latent energy when liquid water evaporates?

A) 80 calories
B) 100 calories
C) 680 calories
D) 600 calories

Question 56

A drop of water contains about a million molecules.

Question 57

How much energy per gram is absorbed as latent energy when liquid water sublimates?

A) 80 calories
B) 100 calories
C) 680 calories
D) 600 calories

Question 58

Death Valley is 856 feet below sea level.

Question 59

The dry adiabatic lapse rate refers to the average change in temperature of still air with altitude.

Question 60

There are three kinds of measurements of humidity.

Question 61

97% of all of the water on the Earth is marine (salt)water.

Question 62

Relative humidity refers to the measure of how much water vapor is in the air.

Question 63

The wet adiabatic lapse rate applies to air masses that are rising and have reached saturation.

Question 64

It has reached 134° F in Death Valley.

Question 65

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is 10 °C per 1000 m of elevation.

Question 66

The hydrologic cycle refers to the movement of water from one reservoir to another by various processes.

Question 67

Water vapor flows from areas of low density to areas of high density.

Question 68

Specific humidity refers to the measurable amount of water vapor that is in a definable body of air.

Question 69

A sling psychrometer is used to measure humidity.

Question 70

Relative humidity refers to the maximum amount of water vapor that a definable body of air can hold at a given temperature.

Question 71

If we raise an air mass,its relative humidity decreases.

Question 72

The dew-point temperature refers to the temperature at which an air mass reaches saturation.

Question 73

The dry adiabatic lapse rate applies to both rising and descending air.

Question 74

The wet adiabatic lapse rate is 10 °C per 1000 m of elevation.

Question 75

Some species of trees can transpire about 80 gallons of water a day.

Question 76

About 1% of all the water available on the Earth is available for human,plant,and animal use.

Question 77

Cool air can hold more moisture than warm air.

Question 78

Advection fog develops when warm air flows over a cooler surface.

Question 79

Radiation fog can only form as long as no temperature inversions exist in the lower troposphere.

Question 80

Stable air is air in which strong convection can occur.