Question 1

Which of the following is associated with an ENSO event?

Accepted Answer

During an ENSO event, specifically El Niño, there is higher pressure over the western Pacific and lower pressure over the eastern Pacific, leading to a reversal of the normal trade winds and oceanic conditions.

Question 2

Which of the following is true about electricity generated by wind?

Accepted Answer

Electricity generated by wind has become increasingly cost-competitive with traditional fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and nuclear, making it an attractive option for many countries looking to transition to cleaner energy sources.

B) is incorrect as wind turbines have been installed in over 80 countries. 
C) is incorrect as wind energy is a clean source of energy that does not produce carbon dioxide emissions during electricity production. 
D) is incorrect as while wind turbines can pose a risk to birds, studies have shown that this risk can be mitigated through proper placement and design of turbines.

Question 3

Scientists think that melting Arctic Sea ice may have which of the following consequences?

Accepted Answer

Melting Arctic Sea ice can cause larger meanders in the jet stream, which can lead to prolonged weather conditions such as heatwaves, cold spells or droughts in certain regions of the world. This, in return, can alter agricultural harvests, energy supply, and water resources.

Question 4

The global spread of low-level radioactive contamination for Japan's Fukushima power plant in 2011 illustrates transboundary issues associated with atmospheric circulation.

Accepted Answer

The release of radioactive materials from the Fukushima power plant in Japan in 2011 was spread by atmospheric circulation, making it a transboundary issue that affected other countries beyond Japan.

Question 5

The great circulations in the ocean basins occur around which pressure systems and what are they known as?

Accepted Answer

The great circulations in the ocean basins occur around subtropical high pressure systems and are known as gyres. Subpolar lows also play a role in ocean circulation, but they do not drive the circulation patterns of the entire ocean basin.

Question 6

Wind speed is measured with an anemometer.

Accepted Answer

An anemometer is a device that is specifically designed to measure wind speed.

Question 7

As of 2012,which country had the highest installed wind energy capacity?

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Global Wind Energy Council, China had the highest installed wind energy capacity in 2012. Germany, the United States, and Ethiopia are not the correct answers based on data from that time period.

Question 8

Winds are named for the direction in which they are blowing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Winds are named for the direction in...

Question 9

Which natural oscillation in global circulation is associated with shifts in patterns of sea surface temperatures,air pressure,and winds between the northern and tropical western Pacific?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which natural oscillation in global circulation is...

Question 10

Which correctly pairs the manner in which Northern Hemisphere ocean currents move about high-pressure cells in comparison to how ocean currents move about high-pressure cells in the Southern Hemisphere ocean?

Accepted Answer

In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean currents move around high-pressure cells in a clockwise direction, while in the Southern Hemisphere, currents move counterclockwise around high-pressure cells. This is due to the Coriolis effect, which causes the direction of rotation to be opposite in each hemisphere. Therefore, choice C is the correct pairing.

Question 11

Which lists the location where the western intensification causes water to pile up and the direction this forces strong water currents to flow?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which lists the location where the western...

Question 12

Which best describes the El Niño-Southern Oscillation?

Accepted Answer

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a periodic shift of high and low pressure zones over the western and eastern Pacific, respectively, usually occurring every 2 to 12 years. This results in changes in ocean temperatures and weather patterns across the globe.

Question 13

An aneroid barometer measures air pressure using mercury or other liquids.

Accepted Answer

An aneroid barometer measures air pressure using a flexible metal box called an aneroid cell rather than mercury or other liquids. The cell expands or contracts in response to changes in air pressure, which is then read on a dial or display.

Question 14

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation is associated with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation is associated with flooding in the southwest United States, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, and Peru. This occurs when warmer ocean waters in the eastern Pacific lead to increased rainfall and flooding in these regions.

Question 15

The eruption of Mt.Pinatubo in 1991 produced few atmospheric effects.

Accepted Answer

The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 produced significant atmospheric effects, including the release of sulfur dioxide and ash into the atmosphere, which caused a cooling effect on the Earth's surface temperature. The eruption also caused a depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Question 16

Hurricane Wilma set a new record for low barometric pressure in the Atlantic basin.

Accepted Answer

Hurricane Wilma set a new record for the lowest barometric pressure in the Atlantic basin, with a minimum central pressure of 882 millibars.

Question 17

Within Canada,where is the area best suited for wind energy development based on predicted average wind speeds?

Accepted Answer

The Prairies have been identified as the area best suited for wind energy development based on predicted average wind speeds. The region experiences strong and consistent winds which make it an ideal location for wind turbines.

Question 18

Normal sea level pressure has a standard value of 1013.2 mb of Hg.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The standard sea level pressure is generally accepted to be 1013.2 millibars ("mb") or hectopascals ("hPa"), which is equivalent to 29.92 inches of mercury ("Hg").

Question 19

Which of the following is true of thermohaline circulation?

Accepted Answer

Thermohaline circulation consists of deep currents caused by differences in temperature and salinity. It is a slow and steady process, unlike surface currents that can be wind-driven and faster. The deep currents transported by thermohaline circulation are important for regulating the Earth's climate, as they transport heat and nutrients around the planet. While it may carry less volume than surface currents, it is still a significant process in ocean circulation.

Question 20

A barometer is a device used for the measurement of air pressure.

Accepted Answer

A barometer is indeed a device used for the measurement of air pressure.

Quiz 6: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations