exam review 1

Question 2

What are the top two gases in our atmosphere and their percentages?

Answer 2

Nitrogen - 78%, Oxygen - 21%

Question 3

Why is carbon dioxide important?

Answer 3

It is a greenhouse gas that blocks UV rays from the sun that are harmful.

Question 4

What is happening to the level of CO2 in our atmosphere?

Answer 4

It is increasing.

Question 5

What caused the ‘hole’ in the ozone layer?

Answer 5

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC).

Question 6

Explain the difference between radiation, conduction, and convection.

Answer 6

Radiation - transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves (Ex. sun → earth). Conduction - transfer of thermal energy when objects are in contact (Ex. metal handle heating up). Convection - transfer of thermal energy by movement of heated currents.

Question 7

What are the five layers of the atmosphere?

Answer 7

Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere.
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Question 8

Where do meteors burn up in the atmosphere?

Answer 8

Mesosphere.

Question 9

Where do weather and storms occur in the atmosphere?

Answer 9

Troposphere.

Question 10

Where do auroras occur in the atmosphere?

Answer 10

Thermosphere.

Question 11

Where is the ozone layer located?

Answer 11

Stratosphere.

Question 12

What are the two ingredients necessary for cloud formation?

Answer 12

Water Vapor and Cloud condensation nuclei (sea salt, dust, smoke, pollen).

Question 13

Give examples of three different things that could function as cloud condensation nuclei.

Answer 13

Salt, dust, smoke, pollen

Question 14

For a cloud to form, what must happen to the mixture?

Answer 14

Experience low pressure

Question 15

What do meteorologists use to measure atmospheric pressure?

Answer 15

Barometer

Question 16

What causes wind?

Answer 16

Movement of air along Earth’s surface from areas of high to low pressure

Question 17

What is the Coriolis Effect and what impact does it have?

Answer 17

Because of the Earth’s rotation, winds appear to be deflected to the east or west based on our perspective (even though wind systems actually flow directly north or south).

Question 18

Describe the characteristics of each of these air masses: mP, cp, mT, cT, A.

Answer 18

mP: Maritime Polar (humid and cool)
cp: Continental Polar (dry and cool)
mT: Maritime Tropical (humid and warm)
cT: Continental Tropical (dry and warm)
A: Arctic (extremely cold)

Question 19

What is a weather front?

Answer 19

When two air masses of different temperatures, pressure, and/or humidity collide.

Question 20

Draw the symbols that show a cold front moving north.

Answer 20

A cold front symbol points in the direction the front is moving (any direction).

Question 21

Draw the symbols that show a warm front moving east.

Answer 21

A warm front symbol points in the direction the front is moving (any direction).

Question 22

Draw the symbols that show a stationary front.

Answer 22

A stationary front symbol points in the direction the front is moving (any direction).

Question 23

Which type of front is often associated with strong storms?

Answer 23

cold fronts

Question 24

Which type of front can cause rain that lasts for several days?

Answer 24

Stationary front

Question 25

Which type of front will cause a sudden increase in temperatures when it passes?

Answer 25

warm front

Question 26

What do the black lines on this weather map represent?

Answer 26

iso bars - of equal pressure

Question 27

What causes an area of high pressure (H)?

Answer 27

sinking air

Question 28

What type of weather is associated with a high pressure system?

Answer 28

Clear skies

Question 29

What causes an area of low pressure (L)?

Answer 29

rising air

Question 30

What type of weather is associated with low pressure?

Answer 30

clouds

Question 31

What direction does air circulate around a low pressure system?

Answer 31

counter-clockwise

Question 32

What direction does air circulate around a high pressure system?

Answer 32

Clockwise

Question 33

What do cirrus clouds look like?

Answer 33

thin, wispy

Question 34

What do stratus clouds look like?

Answer 34

flat, featureless

Question 35

What do cumulus clouds look like?

Answer 35

putty-like (popcorn)

Question 36

What does the prefix 'nimbo-' tell you about a cloud?

Answer 36

gray, rain cloud

Question 37

How are most weather forecasts today put together?

Answer 37

using computer models - digital forecasts

Question 38

What causes charges to separate within a cloud, setting the stage for lightning?

Answer 38

Ice crystals and water droplets collide, causing some particles to ionize.

Question 39

Where, in the cloud do positive charges build up?

Answer 39

Positive charges build up at the top of the cloud.

Question 40

Where in the cloud do negative charges build up?

Answer 40

Negative charges build up at the bottom of the cloud.

Question 41

Describe the motion of the charges as they leave the cloud.

Answer 41

They move in small steps, kind of looking like a 'stopped ladder.'

Question 42

Why does lightning tend to strike the tallest objects?

Answer 42

The negative charges meet the tallest objects first, which tend to accumulate positive charges.

Question 43

What causes the sound we call 'thunder'?

Answer 43

The movement of the air as lightning strikes causes a sonic boom, which we call thunder.

Question 44

What is the difference between sleet and freezing rain?

Answer 44

Sleet consists of frozen raindrops or partially melted ice, while freezing rain occurs on impact.

Question 45

Where, in the US, do most tornadoes form?

Answer 45

Most tornadoes form in the middle of the country in the spring, often referred to as 'tornado alley.'

Question 46

What type of air masses collide to form a tornado?

Answer 46

A cold front collides with warm air masses to form a tornado.

Question 47

In what position does the rotating cylinder of air begin?

Answer 47

The rotation is first horizontal on the ground, then an updraft lifts the column up.

Question 48

How are tornadoes classified?

Answer 48

Tornadoes are classified by wind speed, duration, Enhanced Fujita Scale, and amount of destruction.