Question 1

The pressure gradient force is directed from higher pressure toward lower pressure:
A)only at the equator.
B)at all places on earth except for the equator.
C)only in the Northern Hemisphere.
D)only in the Southern Hemisphere.
E)at all places on earth.

Accepted Answer

The pressure gradient force is a fundamental force that affects the motion of the atmosphere all over the earth's surface. It is directed from higher pressure to lower pressure and is responsible for creating winds, which are crucial for weather patterns and climate. Therefore, the pressure gradient force is present at all places on earth.

Question 2

On an isobaric weather chart,the spacing of the height contours indicates the magnitude of the __________ force.
A)pressure gradient
B)Coriolis
C)thermal

Accepted Answer

Isobaric weather charts depict pressure systems at a constant pressure level. The spacing of height contours indicates the magnitude of the pressure gradient force, which is responsible for air movement along the pressure gradient from high to low pressure.

Question 3

The _________ force is the force that causes the wind to blow.
A)Coriolis
B)pressure-gradient
C)friction

Accepted Answer

The pressure-gradient force is the difference in air pressure that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, resulting in wind. The Coriolis force affects the direction of wind but does not directly cause it, and friction acts to slow down and disrupt wind flow.

Question 4

On an upper-level chart,normally we find warm air associated with __________ pressure,and cold air associated with __________ pressure.
A)high,high
B)high,low
C)low,low
D)low,high

Accepted Answer

On an upper-level chart, warm air is typically found associated with a high-pressure system and cold air is associated with a low-pressure system. Therefore, the best choice is B, with warm air associated with high pressure and cold air associated with low pressure.

Question 5

A surface low pressure center is generally associated with __________ on an upper level isobaric chart.
A)a trough
B)a ridge
C)zonal flow
D)convergence

Accepted Answer

A surface low pressure center is generally associated with a trough on an upper level isobaric chart. A trough is an elongated area of low pressure and is often associated with unsettled weather, such as precipitation and thunderstorms.

Question 6

Net convergence of air would cause surface pressure to __________ and net divergence would cause surface pressure to __________.
A)increase,decrease
B)increase,increase
C)decrease,decrease
D)decrease,increase

Accepted Answer

Net convergence of air at the surface leads to an accumulation of mass and thus an increase in surface pressure. Conversely, net divergence involves the outward movement of air from a region, leading to a decrease in mass and a subsequent decrease in surface pressure.

Question 7

The contour lines drawn on a 500 mb chart are lines of constant:
A)pressure.
B)altitude.
C)density.
D)wind direction.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The contour lines drawn on a 500...

Question 8

On an isobaric surface,
A)altitude is constant.
B)temperature is constant.
C)pressure is constant.
D)both a and c

Accepted Answer

On an isobaric surface, pressure is constant. This is the defining characteristic of an isobaric surface.

Question 9

A station at an altitude of 900 m (about 3,000 feet)above sea level measures an air pressure of 930 mb.Under normal conditions,which of the values below do you think would be the most realistic sea level pressure for this station?
A)840 mb
B)930 mb
C)1,020 mb
D)1,830 mb

Accepted Answer

Air pressure decreases as altitude increases. Therefore, we need to add to the measured pressure to estimate the sea level pressure. Using the standard atmospheric pressure lapse rate of 1 mb per 10 m of altitude, we can estimate that the sea level pressure for the given altitude would be approximately 1,020 mb (i.e. 900 m of altitude x 1 mb per 10 m of altitude + 930 mb measured pressure). Therefore, the most realistic sea level pressure for this station is 1,020 mb.

Question 10

Low __________ on a constant height chart corresponds to low __________ on a constant pressure chart.
A)pressures,pressures
B)pressures,heights
C)heights,pressures
D)heights,heights

Accepted Answer

Low pressures on a constant height chart correspond to low heights on a constant pressure chart. This is because at a given height, areas of low pressure indicate lower air density and thus lower altitudes when viewed on a constant pressure surface.

Question 11

On an upper-level chart the wind tends to blow:
A)at right angles to the isobars or contour lines
B)parallel to the isobars or contours
C)at an angle between 10 and 30 to the contours and towards lower pressure
D)at constant speed

Accepted Answer

On an upper-level chart, the wind tends to blow parallel to the isobars or contour lines due to the Coriolis effect. This is known as geostrophic flow. Option A is incorrect because the wind does not blow at right angles to the isobars or contour lines on upper-level charts. Option C is incorrect because the angle between the wind and contours varies depending on the pressure gradient force. Option D is incorrect because wind speed can vary on upper-level charts.

Question 12

Lines connecting points of equal pressure are called:
A)isobars.
B)millibars.
C)contours.
D)isotherms.
E)a coordinate grid.

Accepted Answer

Lines connecting points of equal pressure are called isobars. Millibars are a unit of measurement for atmospheric pressure. Contours are lines on a map connecting points of equal elevation. Isotherms are lines connecting points of equal temperature. A coordinate grid is a system of coordinates used to locate points on a two-dimensional plane.

Question 13

Pressure changes:
A)more rapidly in the horizontal direction than in the vertical.
B)more rapidly in the vertical direction than in the horizontal.
C)at the same rate in the horizontal and vertical directions.
D)more rapidly in the vertical over land than over the ocean.

Accepted Answer

Pressure changes more rapidly in the vertical direction than in the horizontal. This is because pressure is primarily influenced by changes in altitude or height, which occur in the vertical direction. In contrast, the horizontal pressure gradient force is generally weaker than the vertical force, which leads to slower pressure changes horizontally.

Question 14

The force that would cause a stationary parcel of air to begin to move horizontally is called the:
A)Coriolis force.
B)pressure gradient force.
C)centripetal force.
D)frictional force.

Accepted Answer

The pressure gradient force is the force that moves air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. If there is a difference in pressure between two areas, the air will move from high to low pressure, creating wind.

Question 15

If the earth's gravitational force were to increase,atmospheric pressure at the ground would:
A)increase.
B)decrease.
C)remain the same.
D)cause the atmosphere to expand vertically.

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric pressure at the ground is directly related to the weight of the air above it. If the earth's gravitational force were to increase, the weight of the air above the ground would increase, causing an increase in atmospheric pressure.

Question 16

Which of the following can influence wind direction?
A)Coriolis force
B)pressure gradient force
C)centripetal force
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Coriolis force, pressure gradient force, and centripetal force all play a role in determining wind direction. The Coriolis force is caused by the rotation of the Earth and influences the direction of objects moving over long distances. The pressure gradient force is responsible for the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. Centripetal force is the force that keeps objects moving in circular paths and can affect wind direction in areas of curved or circular motion.

Question 17

Which of the following forces can not act to change the speed of the wind?
A)pressure gradient force
B)frictional force
C)Coriolis force
D)none of the above

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis force acts to deflect the wind direction, but does not change the speed of the wind. The pressure gradient force and frictional force can both act to change the speed of the wind. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 18

If a liquid with a lower density than mercury were used in a barometer the height of the column in the barometer would:
A)increase.
B)decrease.
C)remain the same.
D)not provide an accurate measure of atmospheric pressure.

Accepted Answer

Using a liquid with a lower density than mercury in a barometer would require a taller column to balance the atmospheric pressure, hence the height of the column would increase.

Question 19

The surface pressures at the bases of warm and cold columns of air are equal.Air pressure in the warm column of air will __________ with increasing height __________ than in the cold column.
A)decrease,more rapidly
B)decrease,more slowly
C)increase,more rapidly
D)increase,more slowly

Accepted Answer

Air pressure decreases with increasing altitude in both warm and cold air columns. However, because warm air is less dense than cold air, the decrease in pressure with height occurs more slowly in a warm air column than in a cold air column.

Question 20

Warm air aloft is associated with constant pressure surfaces that are found
At __________ altitude than normal and __________ than normal atmospheric pressure aloft.
A)higher,higher
B)higher,lower
C)lower,higher
D)lower,lower

Accepted Answer

Warm air aloft causes the air to expand, leading to higher altitudes for constant pressure surfaces and higher atmospheric pressure aloft.

Quiz 7: Atmospheric Motions

The pressure gradient force is directed from higher pressure toward lower pressure:

On an isobaric weather chart,the spacing of the height contours indicates the magnitude of the __________ force.

The _________ force is the force that causes the wind to blow.

On an upper-level chart,normally we find warm air associated with pressure,and cold air associated with pressure.

A surface low pressure center is generally associated with __________ on an upper level isobaric chart.

Net convergence of air would cause surface pressure to and net divergence would cause surface pressure to .

The contour lines drawn on a 500 mb chart are lines of constant:

On an isobaric surface,

A station at an altitude of 900 m (about 3,000 feet) above sea level measures an air pressure of 930 mb.Under normal conditions,which of the values below do you think would be the most realistic sea level pressure for this station?

Low on a constant height chart corresponds to low on a constant pressure chart.

On an upper-level chart the wind tends to blow:

Lines connecting points of equal pressure are called:

Pressure changes:

The force that would cause a stationary parcel of air to begin to move horizontally is called the:

If the earth's gravitational force were to increase,atmospheric pressure at the ground would:

Which of the following can influence wind direction?

Which of the following forces can not act to change the speed of the wind?

If a liquid with a lower density than mercury were used in a barometer the height of the column in the barometer would:

The surface pressures at the bases of warm and cold columns of air are equal.Air pressure in the warm column of air will with increasing height than in the cold column.

Warm air aloft is associated with constant pressure surfaces that are found At altitude than normal and than normal atmospheric pressure aloft.