Deck 5: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Question 1

Atmospheric pressure readings and conversions.Scales express barometric air pressure in millibars and inches of mercury (Hg),with average air pressure values and recorded pressure extremes. Normal sea level pressure has a value of

A)1013.2 millibars.
B)28.50 inches of lead.
C)32.01 inches of mercury.
D)500 millibars.
E)32.01 inches of mercury

Answer 1

A

Question 2

An aneroid barometer

A)uses a meter long tube for measuring air pressure.
B)uses a chamber that expands or contracts with changes in air pressure.
C)requires the use of mercury.
D)is a hypothetical instrument for measuring air pressure.
E)is placed in a white louvered box.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A(n)is an instrument used to measure wind speed.

A)anemometer
B)wind vane
C)barometer
D)sling psychrometer
E)thermometer

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A(n)is an instrument used to measure wind direction.

A)anemometer
B)wind vane
C)barometer
D)sling psychrometer
E)thermometer

Question 5

An increase in air pressure will cause the mercury in a barometer to

A)rise.
B)fall.
C)freeze.
D)boil.
E)condense.

Question 6

The average height of a column of mercury (Hg)in a barometer at sea level is
A)1013 inches.

A)760 mm (76 cm).
B)dependent on the temperature.
C)29.00 millibars.
D)32.01 inches.

Question 7

Atmospheric pressure readings and conversions.Scales express barometric air pressure in millibars and inches of mercury (Hg),with average air pressure values and recorded pressure extremes. The Earth's lowest barometric pressures are associated with

A)hurricanes (typhoons).
B)frontal systems (cold and warm fronts).
C)cold and dry climates.
D)sea level.
E)very cold temperatures.

Question 8

is used in a barometer because .

A)Water;it is liquid at normal air temperature
B)Water;it is denser than mercury
C)Mercury;it will rise more than water will under the same air pressure
D)Mercury;it is denser than water
E)Alcohol;it will not freeze in extreme cold weather

Question 9

Air flow is initiated by the

A)Coriolis force.
B)pressure gradient force.
C)friction force.
D)centrifugal force.
E)gravitational force.

Question 10

Which of the following is not true of the wind?

A)It is initiated by the pressure gradient force.
B)It blows from regions of high pressure to regions of low pressure.
C)The direction of flow can be affected by the rotation of Earth.
D)Air blows from regions of hotter air to regions of colder air.
E)Winds are named based on the direction from which they blow.

Question 11

The Beaufort wind scale measures wind speed

A)with an anemometer.
B)by observed effects.
C)using satellites.
D)with a wind vane.
E)utilizing a barometer.

Question 12

Atmospheric pressure readings and conversions.Scales express barometric air pressure in millibars and inches of mercury (Hg),with average air pressure values and recorded pressure extremes. The highest surface air pressure ever recorded occurred when the air was

A)very cold.
B)very hot.
C)very wet.
D)very high above the surface of Earth.
E)moderately warm.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a determinant of wind speed and direction?

A)electromagnetic force
B)pressure gradient force
C)Coriolis force
D)friction force
E)gravitational force

Question 14

Winds are named based on

A)the direction from which they originate.
B)the direction in which they are blowing.
C)the scientist who first described them.
D)the altitude at which they occur.
E)consensus by the World Meteorological Organization.

Question 15

Evangelista Torricelli developed the first

A)aneroid barometer.
B)mercury barometer.
C)anemometer.
D)water-based barometer.
E)vacuum pump barometer.

Question 16

Airplanes measure their altitude using

A)a mercury barometer.
B)an anemometer.
C)a hygrometer.
D)an aneroid barometer.
E)sextants.

Question 17

The horizontal motion of air relative to Earth's surface is

A)barometric pressure.
B)wind.
C)convection flow.
D)a result of equalized pressure across the surface.
E)conduction.

Question 18

Evangelista Torricelli,a pupil of Galileo,determined

A)atmospheric pressure is uniform in the troposphere.
B)winds flow from airs of high to low pressure.
C)large-scale circulations of winds.
D)air pressure varied with weather conditions.
E)wind speed is a function of pressure gradients.

Question 19

An instrument used to measure air pressure is

A)a wind vane.
B)an aneroid barometer.
C)a mercury thermometer.
D)an anemometer.
E)thermometer.

Question 20

Sixteen wind directions identified on a wind compass.Winds are named for the direction from which they originate. If a wind is blowing from a compass direction of 202.5°,the wind is from the

A)north (N).
B)south (S).
C)northwest (NW).
D)south-southwest (SSW).
E)north-northeast (NNE).

Question 21

If there is a steeper pressure gradient,wind will be than areas with a gradual pressure gradient.

A)lighter
B)warmer
C)stronger
D)cooler
E)weaker

Question 22

The Coriolis force-an apparent deflection If an airplane flew from the North Pole due south along the 90° meridian and did not correct course,it would land

A)on the 90° meridian.
B)east of the 90° meridian.
C)west of the 90° meridian.
D)north of the 90° meridian.
E)south of the 90° meridian.

Question 23

A isoline of equal pressure plotted on a weather map is known as an

A)isotherm.
B)isoplat.
C)isobar.
D)isohyet.
E)isobath.

Question 24

Which of the following is true regarding the effects of the Coriolis force?

A)The amount of Coriolis deflection is uniform from equator to poles.
B)Coriolis deflection occurs only along parallels,not meridians.
C)The Coriolis force is zero at the poles,increasing to maximum along the equator.
D)The strength of the apparent deflection varies with speed of Earth's rotation.
E)Slowly moving objects are deflected more than rapidly moving objects.

Question 25

On a weather map of air pressure,what can you infer from a closer spacing of isobars?

A)little without knowing temperature patterns
B)a steep pressure gradient creating a slower flow of air
C)a steep pressure gradient creating a faster flow of air
D)higher pressures
E)a weak pressure gradient creating a slower flow of air

Question 26

Which of the following describes the pressure gradient force?

A)It drives air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure.
B)It decreases with height above the surface.
C)It causes apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.
D)It is the only force acting on atmospheric flows in the upper troposphere.
E)It exerts a virtually uniform force on the atmosphere.

Question 27

The deflection produced by the Coriolis force is caused by

A)Earth's rotation on its axis.
B)differing pressure gradients.
C)friction caused by gravitational force.
D)air temperature differences.
E)the uneven heating of Earth's surface.

Question 28

The frictional force effect on winds

A)is lessened in areas with rougher surfaces.
B)is negligible at altitudes above 500 m (~1,600 ft).
C)increases with increasing altitude.
D)is constant,regardless of time of day or year.
E)increases with altitude.

Question 29

Which is true of air flowing into low pressure center?

A)Air converges and ascends.
B)Air diverges and ascends.
C)Air converges and descends.
D)Air diverges and descends.
E)The air movement is called anticyclonic.

Question 30

Upper tropospheric winds that flow parallel to isobars are called

A)geostrophic winds.
B)NE trades winds.
C)easterlies.
D)westerlies.
E)Hadley cells.

Question 31

Three physical forces that produce winds: pressure gradient,Coriolis,and friction. The figure shows examples of

A)a high pressure center (anticyclone).
B)winds influenced by the pressure gradient force only.
C)wind movement based on the frictional force only.
D)geostrophic winds.
E)winds influenced by the Coriolis force only.

Question 32

The Coriolis force

A)drives air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure.
B)decreases with height above the surface.
C)causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.
D)is the only force acting on flows of air in the upper troposphere.
E)exerts a virtually uniform force on the atmosphere.

Question 33

In the absence of friction,the combined effect of the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force produces

A)geostrophic winds at altitude above the ground.
B)surface winds.
C)air flow from low to high pressure centers.
D)air flow in a north-south direction.
E)air flow perpendicular to the isobars.

Question 34

If surface winds were influenced only by the pressure gradient force and Coriolis force (i.e. ,without the frictional force),

A)winds would flow in a straight line from areas of higher to lower pressure.
B)winds would flow parallel to isobars and at high rates of speed.
C)there would be no winds at all.
D)the effects would vary depending on surface texture.
E)wind speed and direction would be reduced.

Question 35

The Coriolis force-an apparent deflection Objects and wind moving over distance and time on Earth's surface are

A)always deflected from a straight path to the west in the Southern Hemisphere.
B)affected only by the pressure gradient and friction force.
C)always deflected to the right by the friction force.
D)apparently deflected from a straight path to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
E)uniformly affected regardless of the latitude at which the objects and winds are found.

Question 36

Which of the following would cause the Coriolis force to increase?

A)increase in wind speed
B)occurrence closer to the equator
C)increase in friction
D)movement over very small areas
E)Nothing;the Coriolis force is a constant.

Question 37

Which of the following is true of high pressure areas?

A)Air ascends and converges.
B)Air descends and diverges.
C)Air ascends and diverges.
D)Air descends and converges.
E)They are called cyclones.

Question 38

If Earth did not rotate,air would flow

A)perpendicular to the isobars,i.e. ,straight across the isobars.
B)to the right of its direction of motion in the Northern Hemisphere.
C)to the left of its direction of motion in the Northern Hemisphere.
D)parallel to the isobars.
E)in a circular pattern.

Question 39

In the Northern Hemispheres,winds spiraling counterclockwise into a low pressure area are

A)cyclonic.
B)anticyclonic.
C)geostrophic..
D)meridional.
E)Coriolis.

Question 40

Air flow in a Northern Hemisphere high pressure zone is

A)downward,outward and clockwise.
B)downward,outward and counterclockwise.
C)inward,upward and clockwise.
D)inward,upward and counterclockwise.
E)downward,inward and clockwise.

Question 41

The Aleutian low and Icelandic low are

A)dominant in the winter and weaken or disappear in the summer.
B)dominant in the summer and weaken or disappear in the winter.
C)dominant in the spring and fall and weaken or disappear in the summer and winter.
D)dominant year-round,but tend to be strongest in the summer.
E)dominant in the summer and winter and weaken or disappear in the spring and fall.

Question 42

Which of the following is associated with the Sahara and the Arabian Deserts?

A)subpolar lows
B)world's equatorial rain forests
C)subtropical high pressure
D)major agricultural regions
E)intertropical convergence zone

Question 43

On Earth between 30° north and the equator,winds flow from the as they flow out of the pressure zone toward the ITCZ.

A)NE;subtropical high
B)NW;subtropical high
C)SE;subtropical high
D)SW;subtropical high
E)NE;polar high

Question 44

Between 20° to 35° north and 20° to 35° south are

A)the largest zone of water surpluses in the world.
B)warm and wet conditions,and the world's great tropical forests.
C)the world's arid and semi-arid desert regions.
D)cyclonic systems of low pressure.
E)converging winds resulting in moist,warm rising air.

Question 45

During the winter,the Bermuda High migrates to the and becomes the .

A)east;Aleutian Low
B)west;Pacific High
C)west;Aleutian Low
D)west;Azores High
E)east;Azores High

Question 46

Winds that blow predominantly from the northeast and the southeast and converging at the ITCZ are the

A)westerlies.
B)polar easterlies.
C)horse latitudes.
D)trade winds.
E)jet streams.

Question 47

Which of the following is an example of primary circulation?

A)migratory high and low pressure systems
B)the monsoons
C)general circulation of the atmosphere
D)land and sea breezes
E)Santa Ana winds

Question 48

Which of the following primary pressure areas are produced by thermal factors,rather than dynamic factors?

A)subtropical high and subpolar low
B)equatorial low and polar high
C)equatorial low and Bermuda High
D)Aleutian Low and Icelandic Low
E)Azores High and Icelandic Low

Question 49

Calm winds associated weak pressure gradient and the vertical ascent of air in the ITCZ are known as

A)Hadley cells.
B)the horse latitudes.
C)the doldrums.
D)westerlies.
E)Azores High.

Question 50

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)is associated with

A)the horse latitudes.
B)the principal midlatitude circulations.
C)the equatorial low-pressure trough.
D)subtropical high-pressure development.
E)year-round exceptionally dry conditions.

Question 51

Which of the following is an example of tertiary circulation?

A)migratory high and low pressure systems
B)subtropical high pressure systems
C)general circulation of the atmosphere
D)weather patterns
E)land-sea breezes

Question 52

Which of the following primary pressure areas are produced by dynamic factors,rather than thermal factors?

A)subtropical high and subpolar low
B)equatorial low and polar high
C)equatorial low and Bermuda high
D)polar high and Icelandic Low
E)Azores High and equatorial low

Question 53

Which of the following is true of Hadley cells?

A)They dominate the polar circulation.
B)Upper-air flow moves northward and southward into the subtropics.
C)They are associated with the subpolar low pressure systems.
D)They occur at great depth in the oceans.
E)The westerlies emerge as a result of these cells.

Question 54

The winds converging at the equatorial low are known as

A)polar easterlies.
B)westerlies.
C)doldrums.
D)jet streams.
E)trade winds.

Question 55

Which of the following is an example of secondary circulation?

A)migratory high and low pressure systems
B)weather patterns
C)general circulation of the atmosphere
D)mountain and valley breezes
E)Santa Ana winds

Question 56

Which of the following is not true of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)?

A)Constant high Sun altitude and daylength create energy surpluses.
B)Warm,moisture-laden airs converge along the ITCZ.
C)A band of precipitation is associated with the ITCZ.
D)Lighter,less dense air,rising air characterize the ITCZ.
E)The ITCZ is stationary throughout the year.

Question 57

Regions of windless,hot,dry air in the subtropical highs are colloquially known as

A)Hadley cells.
B)the doldrums.
C)the horse latitudes.
D)westerlies.
E)ITCZ.

Question 58

The tropical atmospheric circulation associated with rising winds along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)and descending air in the subtropics are called

A)polar cells.
B)Ferrel cells.
C)Rosby waves.
D)Hadley cells.
E)jet streams.

Question 59

Which of the following matches is incorrect relative to air circulation?

A)anticyclone - high pressure center
B)cyclone - low pressure center
C)anticyclone - clockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere
D)cyclone - counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
E)cyclone - clockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere

Question 60

The intertropical convergence zone is characterized by

A)convergence and uplift of warm surface air.
B)convergence and subsidence of cold surface air.
C)divergence and uplift of warm surface air.
D)divergence and subsidence of cold surface air.
E)low rainfall and cool conditions.

Question 61

Light and variable winds-which caused difficulties for mariners in the days of sailing ships- occur under the

A)subpolar low and equatorial low.
B)subpolar low and subtropical high.
C)equatorial low and subtropical high.
D)equatorial low and subpolar low.
E)westerlies and trade winds.

Question 62

Sea-breezes

A)result from water heating and cooling faster than land surfaces.
B)form because of higher pressure over the land than the sea.
C)involve onshore (toward the land)air flows that develop in the afternoon.
D)occur because warmer air is denser and settles to the surface of the land.
E)tend to cause higher temperatures on land as winds blow towards the sea.

Question 63

During the day along the coast,the wind tends to blow toward the because .

A)land;land heats more rapidly than water
B)land;land heats more slowly than water
C)water;water heats more slowly than land
D)water;water heats more rapidly than land
E)areas of highest pressure;land and water have similar specific heat

Question 64

Subtropical high-pressure system in the Atlantic The western side of subtropical high pressure cells

A)tends to be cool and moist.
B)produces surface winds that pass over warm ocean currents.
C)has strong subsidence resulting in dry,semi-arid and arid surface conditions.
D)remains in the same position all year;i.e. ,they do not migrate with the high Sun.
E)corresponds with Earth's major desert regions.

Question 65

Subtropical high-pressure system in the Atlantic The subtropical high pressure system in the Atlantic and associated cool and warm currents

A)bring cool waters to the eastern shores of the United States.
B)influence the warm and dry conditions in the Bahamas.
C)circulate warm ocean currents along the western African coast.
D)contribute west African deserts (dry,stable climate).
E)result in heavy rainfall on the western side of continents.

Question 66

Which of the following is false regarding the jet streams?

A)Core speeds can exceed 300 kmph (190 mph).
B)They weaken during each of the hemisphere's summer and strengthen during its winter.
C)They occur above the subtropics and the polar front.
D)They have no known effect on surface weather systems.
E)They can be several hundred kilometers wide and over 2 km thick.

Question 67

The polar high pressure cells

A)are the strongest of the four primary pressure areas.
B)are cyclonic in nature.
C)produce the weak,variable polar easterlies.
D)are more pronounced at the North Pole than at the South Pole.
E)are associated with the polar front.

Question 68

The most prominent movement in the upper-level westerly geostrophic wind flows are the

A)Rossby waves.
B)jet streams.
C)cyclones.
D)anticyclones.
E)Ferrel cells

Question 69

The area of conflict between colder and warmer air masses in the subpolar region

A)is most distinctive during summer months in each respective hemisphere.
B)is unrelated to the formation of cyclonic storms.
C)is termed the polar front.
D)is referred to as the subtropical contact zone.
E)encircles Earth at about the latitude of the polar high.

Question 70

Which association is incorrect?

A)Equatorial low - Hot/Dry
B)Polar High - Cold/Dry
C)Subpolar low - 60° N/S
D)Subtropical High - 20-35° N/S
E)ITCZ - 20-35° N/S

Question 71

Mountain and valley breezes

A)are characterized by warmer air descending mountain slopes during the day and valley air ascending the mountain slopes at night.
B)are caused by valley floors heating more quickly than valley slopes during the day and cooling more rapidly at night.
C)involve warm air rising upslope during the day,creating an area of low pressure;at night it is reversed with a low pressure area forming on the valley floor.
D)are secondary wind systems.
E)result from daytime high pressure systems developing upslope.

Question 72

The 2014 winter storm dubbed the "polar vortex" was associated with moving further south than usual.

A)Hadley cells
B)Rossby waves
C)the jet stream
D)monsoons
E)Ferrel cells

Question 73

are waving undulations within the upper-air westerly wind flow.

A)Hadley cells
B)Rossby waves
C)The jet stream
D)Monsoons
E)Ferrel cells

Question 74

The polar high pressure system is best characterized as

A)converging and ascending cool air.
B)cold and dry with weak anticyclonic high pressure.
C)strong cyclonic activity during the long summer months.
D)cool and moist year-round.
E)an area of contrast between cold and warm air.

Question 75

Santa Ana winds

A)bring cool,moisture-laden air from the east to the southern California coast.
B)are not associated with pressure gradients in the way other winds are.
C)flow from lower to higher elevation,expanding and cooling in the process.
D)blow eastward,bringing moisture laden air from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Basin.
E)create wildfire conditions by bringing heat and dryness as they flow southwest.

Question 76

Which is true of upper atmospheric circulation?

A)It refers to the winds in the thermosphere.
B)These winds are unrelated to surface weather patterns and of no consequence to the atmosphere's general circulation.
C)Middle and upper tropospheric circulation is an important component of the atmosphere's general circulation.
D)These winds flow principally from the east in the mesosphere.
E)These stratospheric winds are responsible for the movement of CFCs to the poles,contributing to ozone depletion.

Question 77

Dry,warm downslope winds occurring on the leeward side of Cascades and Rockies are called

A)bora.
B)mistral.
C)chinooks.
D)taku.
E)monsoons.

Question 78

On Earth between 30° and 60° north,winds flow from the as they flow out of the pressure zone toward the pressure zone.

A)northeast;subtropical high;subpolar low
B)west-southwest;subtropical high;subpolar low
C)northeast;subpolar low;subtropical high
D)west-southwest;subpolar low;subtropical high
E)southeast;ITCZ;subtropical high

Question 79

Katabatic winds are

A)localized winds associated with sea-breezes.
B)another name for mountain-valley breezes.
C)unrelated to pressure differences.
D)regional-scale,gravity-driven winds that bring high density air downslope.
E)usually weaker than local winds,but significant due to the area they cover.

Question 80

The dominant surface winds from the subtropics to high latitudes are the

A)westerlies.
B)trade winds.
C)polar easterlies.
D)geostrophic winds.
E)jet streams.