Question 1

In a surface-based anticyclone, tropospheric air:&#10;A) rises and diverges aloft&#10;B) sinks and diverges at the surface&#10;C) flows inward at the surface&#10;D) flows outward in air aloft

Accepted Answer

In a surface-based anticyclone, sinking air causes higher pressure at the surface. This sinking air also leads to divergence at the surface, as the air cannot sink indefinitely and must spread out horizontally. This divergence at the surface is what characterizes an anticyclone, as opposed to a cyclone where convergence at the surface is present.

Question 2

When reading a surface weather chart, centers of highs and lows are represented by pressure lines called:&#10;A) isotherms&#10;B) isobars&#10;C) contours&#10;D) wiggles

Accepted Answer

Centers of highs and lows are represented by isobars, which are lines of equal pressure.

Question 3

Below what altitude is half of the weight of the atmosphere found?&#10;A) 2 km&#10;B) 5 km&#10;C) 10 km&#10;D) 30 km

Accepted Answer

Half of the weight of the atmosphere is found below approximately 5 km. This is because the atmosphere's density decreases with altitude, and the majority of the atmospheric mass is concentrated closer to the Earth's surface.

Question 4

When pressure lines are closer together on a weather chart, the pressure gradient force is ___ and winds are ___.&#10;A) greater, faster&#10;B) weaker, slower&#10;C) greater, slower&#10;D) weaker, faster

Accepted Answer

When pressure lines are closer together, the pressure gradient force is greater, which will cause winds to be faster. This is because air moves from high pressure to low pressure, and the greater the difference in pressure between two points, the stronger the force driving the air from high to low pressure. Therefore, when the pressure gradient force is greater, the resulting winds will be faster.

Question 5

The Coriolis force is caused by _____.&#10;A) friction&#10;B) Earth's revolution&#10;C) Earth's rotation&#10;D) temperature differences

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis force is a phenomenon that is caused by the rotation of the Earth. As the Earth rotates, objects appear to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection is known as the Coriolis force.

Question 6

The Coriolis force would be greatest when wind:&#10;A) velocity is low, latitude is low&#10;B) velocity is low, latitude is high&#10;C) velocity is high, latitude is low&#10;D) velocity is high, latitude is high

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis force increases with both the speed of the moving object and the latitude. At higher latitudes, the effect is stronger, and it also grows with the velocity of the wind. Therefore, the greatest Coriolis force occurs when both wind velocity and latitude are high.

Question 7

Warm, dry wind flowing from the Great Basin toward the southern California coast in fall and winter is called:&#10;A) a katabatic wind&#10;B) a mountain wind&#10;C) a Santa Ana wind&#10;D) a sea breeze&#10;E) dust devil

Accepted Answer

The warm, dry wind flowing from the Great Basin toward the southern California coast in fall and winter is called the Santa Ana wind.

Question 8

Geostrophic wind:&#10;A) flows parallel to contour lines&#10;B) flows from high pressure to low pressure&#10;C) depends on friction&#10;D) is slower than surface winds

Accepted Answer

Geostrophic winds flow parallel to contour lines due to the balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force. They do not depend on friction and can be faster than surface winds.

Question 9

During the day, land heats faster than water, causing ____ pressure to form over land and ___ pressure over coastal water.&#10;A) low, high&#10;B) high, low&#10;C) neither is correct

Accepted Answer

During the day, land heats up faster than water, leading to the air above the land becoming warmer and less dense, which results in lower pressure. Conversely, the water heats up more slowly, keeping the air above it cooler and denser, thus creating higher pressure over coastal waters.

Question 10

During the night, cool, dry wind flowing downhill is called:&#10;A) a valley breeze&#10;B) a mountain breeze&#10;C) a Chinook&#10;D) a Santa Ana

Accepted Answer

This type of wind is called a mountain breeze, as it flows downhill from higher elevations to lower elevations. A valley breeze, on the other hand, would flow uphill from lower elevations to higher elevations. Chinooks and Santa Anas are both types of warm, dry winds that are associated with specific regions and weather patterns.

Question 11

Surface air converges and rises in:&#10;A) an anticyclone&#10;B) a cyclone&#10;C) a land breeze&#10;D) a sea breeze

Accepted Answer

The answer of Surface air converges and rises in:&#10;A) an...

Question 12

The _____ are the most consistent winds in the atmosphere.&#10;A) trade winds&#10;B) mid-latitude westerlies&#10;C) polar easterlies&#10;D) monsoon winds

Accepted Answer

The answer of The _____ are the most consistent winds...

Question 13

In the southern hemisphere, winds flow ________ around an anticyclone.&#10;A) counter-clockwise and converging&#10;B) clockwise and converging&#10;C) clockwise and diverging&#10;D) counterclockwise and diverging

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the southern hemisphere, winds flow ________...

Question 14

Atmospheric pressure is measured near the Earth's surface with a(n):&#10;A) anemometer&#10;B) barometer&#10;C) hygrometer&#10;D) pressometer

Accepted Answer

The answer of Atmospheric pressure is measured near the Earth's...

Question 15

Near the Earth's surface, friction:&#10;A) reduces both the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force&#10;B) reduces the Coriolis force, but not the pressure gradient force&#10;C) reduces the pressure gradient force, but not the Coriolis force&#10;D) does not affect either the Coriolis force or the pressure gradient force

Accepted Answer

The answer of Near the Earth's surface, friction:&#10;A) reduces both...

Question 16

The main forces that control the wind are:&#10;A) pressure gradient force, centrifugal force, and Coriolis force&#10;B) Coriolis force, centrifugal force, and friction&#10;C) Coriolis force, pressure gradient force, and friction&#10;D) Coriolis force, pressure gradient force, and gravity

Accepted Answer

The answer of The main forces that control the wind...

Deck 8: Air Pressure and Winds