Question 1

The atmospheric circulation cells that operate in the mid-latitudes are called cells.
A) Hadley
B) Ferrel
C) polar
D) trade wind

Accepted Answer

The Ferrel cells are the atmospheric circulation cells that operate in the mid-latitudes, between the Hadley cells near the equator and the polar cells near the poles.

Question 2

Winds generally move across the United States from .
A) north to south
B) east to west
C) south to north
D) west to east

Accepted Answer

Winds in the United States predominantly move from west to east due to the prevailing westerlies, which are winds found in the mid-latitudes.

Question 3

According to the atmospheric circulation model developed in the text, air tends to .
A) rise at 30 ° north and fall at 60 ° north
B) rise at 60 ° north and fall at 30 ° north
C) rise at 30 ° north and fall at 0 ° north
D) rise at 30 ° north and rise at 60 ° north

Accepted Answer

According to the atmospheric circulation model, air rises at 60° north due to low pressure and falls at 30° north due to high pressure, forming part of the Ferrel cell.

Question 4

Calm equatorial areas of low pressure are referred to as the .
A) doldrums
B) horse latitudes
C) trade winds
D) westerlies

Accepted Answer

The doldrums are calm equatorial areas of low pressure where the trade winds converge, often resulting in little to no wind.

Question 5

The turbulent layer of Earth's atmosphere in which nearly all weather occurs is called the .
A) stratosphere
B) mesosphere
C) asthenosphere
D) troposphere

Accepted Answer

The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, and it is where nearly all weather occurs.

Question 6

If you were standing on top of a high mid-Pacific island at 15 ° north latitude, from which direction would you expect the wind to come? (Hint: Don't  forget to consider the Coriolis effect!)
A) north
B) south
C) northwest
D) northeast

Accepted Answer

At 15° north latitude, the trade winds are influenced by the Coriolis effect, which deflects winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. This results in winds coming from the northeast.

Question 7

There are major atmospheric circulation cells in each hemisphere of Earth.
A) two
B) three
C) four
D) five

Accepted Answer

There are three major atmospheric circulation cells in each hemisphere: the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the Polar cell.

Question 8

The long-term statistical sum of weather in a geographic region is called .
A) weather
B) cyclonic circulation
C) the Coriolis Effect
D) climate

Accepted Answer

Climate refers to the long-term patterns and averages of weather in a particular region.

Question 9

The most abundant gaseous components of Earth's atmosphere are .
A) carbon dioxide and oxygen
B) nitrogen and hydrogen
C) nitrogen and carbon dioxide
D) nitrogen and oxygen

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen and oxygen are the most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere, with nitrogen making up about 78% and oxygen about 21%.

Question 10

Weather may be defined as .
A) long-term temperature and rainfall trends
B) short-term, localized states of the atmosphere
C) long-term changes in the composition of the atmosphere
D) short-term changes in the composition of the atmosphere

Accepted Answer

Weather refers to the short-term, localized states of the atmosphere, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions.

Question 11

Sunlight strikes polar latitudes at a angle, spreading the incoming heat over a large area.
A) low
B) high
C) near vertical
D) perpendicular

Accepted Answer

Sunlight strikes polar latitudes at a low angle, causing the energy to spread over a larger area, resulting in less concentrated heat.

Question 12

Which statement is true regarding the solar heating of Earth?
A) The heating of Earth is uniform across all latitudes.
B) Ice absorbs almost all of the solar energy that reaches the poles.
C) At the poles, more incoming solar radiation is absorbed than is reflected.
D) At the equator, more incoming solar radiation is absorbed than is reflected.

Accepted Answer

At the equator, the angle of incoming solar radiation is more direct, leading to higher absorption of solar energy compared to reflection.

Question 13

The Coriolis effect causes objects moving in the northern hemisphere to veer off course .
A) to the right, or clockwise when viewed from above
B) to the left, or counterclockwise when viewed from above
C) in an upward direction
D) in a downward direction

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis effect causes moving objects in the northern hemisphere to deflect to the right, or clockwise when viewed from above, due to Earth's rotation.

Question 14

Seasons are caused by .
A) changes in the weather
B) annual variation in the energy output of the sun
C) Earth's orbital tilt relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun
D) our being closer to the sun in summer

Accepted Answer

Seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the sun, which affects the angle and intensity of sunlight received at different times of the year.

Question 15

Warm air and cool air .
A) expands and sinks; expands and rises
B) contracts and rises; expands and sinks
C) expands and rises; contracts and sinks
D) expands and rises; expands and sinks

Accepted Answer

Warm air expands and rises because it is less dense, while cool air contracts and sinks because it is denser.

Question 16

In the world model of atmospheric circulation, the cells are located nearest to the equator.
A) Doldrums
B) Polar
C) Ferrel
D) Hadley

Accepted Answer

The Hadley cells are located nearest to the equator, extending from the equator to about 30 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.

Question 17

The dependable surface winds of Earth centered at about 15 ° north and south latitudes are called the .
A) westerlies
B) northerlies
C) trade winds
D) doldrums

Accepted Answer

The dependable surface winds centered at about 15° north and south latitudes are called the trade winds. These winds are consistent and blow from the east towards the equator.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true with regard to air?
A) Cold air can hold more water vapor than warm air.
B) Humid air is denser than dry air.
C) Warm air is less dense than cold air.
D) Water vapor in air can occupy up to 30% of air's volume.

Accepted Answer

Warm air is less dense than cold air because the molecules in warm air move faster and spread apart, reducing the density.

Question 19

One of the driving forces of atmospheric circulation is .
A) Earth's uneven solar heating
B) alternating high and low pressures
C) evaporation and condensation
D) the  Coriolis effect

Accepted Answer

Earth's uneven solar heating causes temperature differences, leading to pressure differences that drive atmospheric circulation.

Question 20

The volume of gases, water vapor, and airborne particles that envelops Earth is the .
A) weather
B) atmosphere
C) Coriolis Effect
D) biosphere

Accepted Answer

The atmosphere is the volume of gases, water vapor, and airborne particles that envelops Earth.

Quiz 5: Atmospheric Circulation

The atmospheric circulation cells that operate in the mid-latitudes are called cells.

Winds generally move across the United States from .

According to the atmospheric circulation model developed in the text, air tends to .

Calm equatorial areas of low pressure are referred to as the .

The turbulent layer of Earth's atmosphere in which nearly all weather occurs is called the .

If you were standing on top of a high mid-Pacific island at 15 ° north latitude, from which direction would you expect the wind to come? (Hint: Don't forget to consider the Coriolis effect!)

There are major atmospheric circulation cells in each hemisphere of Earth.

The long-term statistical sum of weather in a geographic region is called .

The most abundant gaseous components of Earth's atmosphere are .

Weather may be defined as .

Sunlight strikes polar latitudes at a angle, spreading the incoming heat over a large area.

Which statement is true regarding the solar heating of Earth?

The Coriolis effect causes objects moving in the northern hemisphere to veer off course .

Seasons are caused by .

Warm air and cool air .

In the world model of atmospheric circulation, the cells are located nearest to the equator.

The dependable surface winds of Earth centered at about 15 ° north and south latitudes are called the .

Which of the following statements is true with regard to air?

One of the driving forces of atmospheric circulation is .

The volume of gases, water vapor, and airborne particles that envelops Earth is the .