Meteorology. Circle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer

Transcription

1 Chapter 6 Worksheet 2 Meteorology Name: Circle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer 1) A steep pressure gradient: a. produces light winds. b. produces strong winds. c. is only possible in the tropics. d. would be depicted by widely spaced isobars. 2) What do isobars represent on a map? a. lines connecting points of equal air pressure b. the lowest pressures on the map c. the highest pressures on the map d. areas of convergence in the upper atmosphere 3) The Coriolis effect occurs because of this characteristic of the earth: a. its magnetic field. b. its atmosphere. c. its rotation. d. its dense core. 4) Horizontal variations in air pressure cause a force which makes the wind blow. These pressure variations are caused by: a. warm temperatures in the stratosphere. b. greenhouse effect. c. non circular shape of Earth. d. Earth's rotation. e. uneven heating of the earth's surface. 5) Circulations in the earth's atmosphere are fundamentally caused by: a. heating of the ozone layer. b. frontal storm systems. c. ocean currents. d. gravity. e. temperature contrasts between different locations. 6) The overall strength of a circulation system is determined by: a. the latitude. b. no one factor is more important than the others. c. friction between the ground and the air. d. its pressure gradient. e. air temperature.

2 7) A plane takes off from City A headed for City B, located directly to the north. The pilot flies directly north, but arrives at a city some distance to the west of City B. What can be said of the airplane? a. It probably has a broken compass. b. It was blown off course by upper atmospheric winds. c. It was flying in the Northern Hemisphere. d. It was flying in the Southern Hemisphere. 8) Refer to the map above. The black lines on the map are called and they represent lines of equal. a. isobars; pressure b. isotherms; temperature c. isotherms; pressure d. isodrosotherms; humidity 9) Refer to the map above. Which of the following areas has the highest pressure gradient? a. Southwestern Texas b. Southern California c. Southern Florida d. Lake Michigan/Southeastern Wisconsin 10) Refer to the map above. Which of the following areas is most likely to be experiencing rain or other significant weather? a. the Great Lakes region b. the Southwest c. Western Canada d. the Pacific Northeast

3 11) Refer to the map above. What best explains the high wind speeds found immediately around the low pressure center (L)? a. the dramatically lower temperatures in the area b. increased friction c. the comparatively high pressure gradient in the area d. the higher humidity associated with low pressures 12) Which of these factors influence the magnitude of the Coriolis force? a. wind direction b. latitude c. wind speed d. both wind speed and latitude 13) As seen by an observer on Earth, the Coriolis effect is an illusion; no deflection can actually be measured. a. false b. false, but only near the poles c. true, but only near the poles d. true 14) The Coriolis effect is important only for motions that: a. do not involve a pressure gradient. b. cover short distances. c. are slow. d. are near the earth's surface. e. cover long distances. 15) The Coriolis effect influences the wind by: a. decreasing the wind speed. b. changing the direction of the wind. c. increasing the wind speed. d. starting the air motion. 16) With respect to the Coriolis force, which association is NOT correct? a. Northern Hemisphere deflection to the right of the wind's original direction b. North Pole strongest deflection c. Low wind speeds strongest deflection d. deflection always at a 90 degree angle to the direction of air flow 17) Upper air winds: a. are greatly influenced by friction. b. are generally faster than surface winds. c. are unaffected by the Coriolis force. d. do not influence surface weather. 18) The wind speed normally increases with height in the layer of air next to the ground. This illustrates the fact that: a. friction is present only close to the ground. b. the lowest part of the atmosphere is turbulent. c. temperature decreases with height. d. pressure decreases with height.

4 19) The geostrophic wind concept is most like the real atmospheric winds: a. in an anticyclone. b. near the surface. c. near the equator. d. in a cyclone. e. at high altitudes. 20) When geostrophic conditions exist in the atmosphere, the net force on the moving air is: a. called a centrifugal force. b. zero. c. large when the wind speed is slow. d. called a centripetal force. e. large since the wind speed is fast. 21) The geostrophic wind describes a situation where the air moves: a. very fast. b. upward. c. from pole to equator. d. very slowly. e. parallel to the isobars. 22) What does Buys Ballot's Law state? a. If you stand with your back to the wind, there is low pressure on your left and high pressure on the right. b. If you stand with your back to the wind, there is low pressure on your right and high pressure on your right. c. If you stand with your back to the wind, there is low pressure directly in front of you. d. If you stand facing into the wind and you are facing north, the wind is geostrophic. 23) A cyclone is generally defined by meteorologists as: a. an area of high pressure. b. an area of low pressure. c. an intense, violent storm. d. a tornado on the ground. Circle T if the statement is true or F if the statement is false T F 24) The most important force causing the air's motion is due to the earth's rotation. T F 25) The speed of the wind at a place is primarily determined by the barometric pressure at that place. T F 26) A steep pressure gradient indicates strong winds. T F 27) The sea breeze is a simple thermal circulation that does not involve a pressure gradient. T F 28) The most fundamental reason for all atmospheric motions is the non uniform heating of the earth by the Sun. T F 29) The main cause of the sea breeze is the unequal heating of land and water. T F 30) Vertical air movement is necessary for the creation of a sea breeze. T F 31) The Coriolis effect causes all moving objects to deflect to their right in the northern hemisphere.

5 T F 32) The Coriolis effect only applies to atmospheric motions; aircraft, rockets, people, etc. are not influenced. T F 33) An isobar is a line connecting points of equal humidity. T F 34) The Coriolis effect is strongest at the equator and diminishes in strength poleward. T F 35) Gradient winds follow a curved path. Answer the following questions 36) The tendency of a particle to travel in a straight line creates an imaginary outward force called acceleration. 37) Name the three forces that act to cause the air's motion. 38) What is the fundamental cause of horizontal pressure differences in the atmosphere?