Question 1

What is necessary in order for clouds to form when the atmosphere is absolutely stable?

Accepted Answer

A)  an environmental lapse rate less than 5°C 
B)  a lifting mechanism other than convection (such as a front) 
C)  a high degree of subsidence 
D)  cooling of the air mass from below 
A)  an environmental lapse rate less than 5°C 
B)  a lifting mechanism other than convection (such as a front) 
C)  a high degree of subsidence 
D)  cooling of the air mass from below B

Question 2

Adiabatic processes are only important for air:

Accepted Answer

A)  that is saturated. 
B)  masses which remain near the earth's surface. 
C)  that is polluted. 
D)  which is rising or sinking. 
E)  that is stagnant. 
A)  that is saturated. 
B)  masses which remain near the earth's surface. 
C)  that is polluted. 
D)  which is rising or sinking. 
E)  that is stagnant. D

Question 3

The stability of an air layer refers to its:

Accepted Answer

A)  albedo. 
B)  overall density. 
C)  pressure as measured at its base. 
D)  tendency to either sustain or suppress upward vertical motions. 
A)  albedo. 
B)  overall density. 
C)  pressure as measured at its base. 
D)  tendency to either sustain or suppress upward vertical motions. D

Question 4

For a given mass of rising air, the dry adiabatic rate will always be higher than the wet adiabatic rate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

A__________ is an instrument used to measure humidity.

Accepted Answer

A)  aquimeter. 
B)  hydrometer. 
C)  hygrometer. 
D)  humidimeter. 
A)  aquimeter. 
B)  hydrometer. 
C)  hygrometer. 
D)  humidimeter.

Question 6

When discussing the water vapor in the air, meteorologists prefer to use absolute humidity rather than mixing ratio.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

An air parcel rises over a mountain and cools adiabatically. Which lifting mechanism has acted on this parcel?

Accepted Answer

A)  convective lifting 
B)  convergence 
C)  frontal wedging 
D)  orographic lifting 
A)  convective lifting 
B)  convergence 
C)  frontal wedging 
D)  orographic lifting

Question 8

A convergence of winds near the surface is associated with cloud production because it:

Accepted Answer

A)  increases the wind speed. 
B)  increases the lapse rate. 
C)  forces the air to rise. 
D)  increases the dew point. 
E)  creates a vortex or spiral pattern. 
A)  increases the wind speed. 
B)  increases the lapse rate. 
C)  forces the air to rise. 
D)  increases the dew point. 
E)  creates a vortex or spiral pattern.

Question 9

Relative humidity indicates the:

Accepted Answer

A)  actual amount of water in the air. 
B)  chance of cloud formation. 
C)  nearness to saturation for the air. 
D)  chance for evaporation of water. 
E)  probability of precipitation. 
A)  actual amount of water in the air. 
B)  chance of cloud formation. 
C)  nearness to saturation for the air. 
D)  chance for evaporation of water. 
E)  probability of precipitation.

Question 10

The two changes of state that are the most important part of the water cycle for the atmosphere would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  condensation, freezing. 
B)  melting, freezing. 
C)  melting, sublimation. 
D)  evaporation, condensation. 
E)  condensation, melting. 
A)  condensation, freezing. 
B)  melting, freezing. 
C)  melting, sublimation. 
D)  evaporation, condensation. 
E)  condensation, melting.

Question 11

List and describe the four mechanisms that cause air to rise.

Accepted Answer

Essay response should include convective

Question 12

Frost that forms on cold glass is created by the process of:

Accepted Answer

A)  transpiration. 
B)  sublimation. 
C)  freezing. 
D)  deposition. 
A)  transpiration. 
B)  sublimation. 
C)  freezing. 
D)  deposition.

Question 13

The capacity of air to hold water vapor is temperature dependent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

List and describe the ways relative humidity changes in nature. Compare relative humidity to dew- point temperature.

Accepted Answer

Relative humidity is the ratio of how mu

Question 15

Describe the movement of water through the hydrologic cycle.

Accepted Answer

Water evaporates from the oceans and lan

Question 16

The atmosphere is most unstable when the temperature of the air ______ with height.

Accepted Answer

A)  decreases slightly 
B)  drops rapidly 
C)  is uniform 
D)  increases rapidly 
E)  increases slightly 
A)  decreases slightly 
B)  drops rapidly 
C)  is uniform 
D)  increases rapidly 
E)  increases slightly

Question 17

The moist adiabatic rate is different from the dry adiabatic rate because:

Accepted Answer

A)  saturated air is always unstable. 
B)  a parcel of saturated air weighs less than a parcel of unsaturated air. 
C)  latent heat is released inside a parcel of rising saturated air. 
D)  unsaturated air is always stable. 
E)  an unstable air parcel expands more rapidly. 
A)  saturated air is always unstable. 
B)  a parcel of saturated air weighs less than a parcel of unsaturated air. 
C)  latent heat is released inside a parcel of rising saturated air. 
D)  unsaturated air is always stable. 
E)  an unstable air parcel expands more rapidly.

Question 18

Thunderstorms are most likely to occur when the atmosphere is absolutely unstable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The average annual precipitation for the earth is equal to the annual amount of evaporated water.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

In your own words, describe the process that causes a cold glass of ice water to 'sweat.' Include a discussion of the flow of energy through this system, and use appropriate vocabulary.

Accepted Answer

Heat will always flow from where there i

What is necessary in order for clouds to form when the atmosphere is absolutely stable?

Adiabatic processes are only important for air:

The stability of an air layer refers to its:

For a given mass of rising air, the dry adiabatic rate will always be higher than the wet adiabatic rate.

A__________ is an instrument used to measure humidity.

When discussing the water vapor in the air, meteorologists prefer to use absolute humidity rather than mixing ratio.

An air parcel rises over a mountain and cools adiabatically. Which lifting mechanism has acted on this parcel?

A convergence of winds near the surface is associated with cloud production because it:

Relative humidity indicates the:

The two changes of state that are the most important part of the water cycle for the atmosphere would be:

List and describe the four mechanisms that cause air to rise.

Frost that forms on cold glass is created by the process of:

The capacity of air to hold water vapor is temperature dependent.

List and describe the ways relative humidity changes in nature. Compare relative humidity to dew- point temperature.

Describe the movement of water through the hydrologic cycle.

The atmosphere is most unstable when the temperature of the air ______ with height.

The moist adiabatic rate is different from the dry adiabatic rate because:

Thunderstorms are most likely to occur when the atmosphere is absolutely unstable.

The average annual precipitation for the earth is equal to the annual amount of evaporated water.

In your own words, describe the process that causes a cold glass of ice water to 'sweat.' Include a discussion of the flow of energy through this system, and use appropriate vocabulary.

Introduction to the Atmosphere

Heating Earths Surface and Atmosphere

Temperature

Forms of Condensation and Precipitation

Air Pressure and Winds

Circulation of the Atmosphere

Air Masses

Weather Patterns

Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

Hurricanes

Weather Analysis and Forecasting

Air Pollution

The Changing Climate

World Climates

Optical Phenomena of the Atmosphere

Filters

Exam 4: Moisture and Atmospheric Stability

What is necessary in order for clouds to form when the atmosphere is absolutely stable?

Adiabatic processes are only important for air:

The stability of an air layer refers to its:

For a given mass of rising air, the dry adiabatic rate will always be higher than the wet adiabatic rate.

A__________ is an instrument used to measure humidity.

When discussing the water vapor in the air, meteorologists prefer to use absolute humidity rather than mixing ratio.

An air parcel rises over a mountain and cools adiabatically. Which lifting mechanism has acted on this parcel?

A convergence of winds near the surface is associated with cloud production because it:

Relative humidity indicates the:

The two changes of state that are the most important part of the water cycle for the atmosphere would be:

List and describe the four mechanisms that cause air to rise.

Frost that forms on cold glass is created by the process of:

The capacity of air to hold water vapor is temperature dependent.

List and describe the ways relative humidity changes in nature. Compare relative humidity to dew- point temperature.

Describe the movement of water through the hydrologic cycle.

The atmosphere is most unstable when the temperature of the air ______ with height.

The moist adiabatic rate is different from the dry adiabatic rate because:

Thunderstorms are most likely to occur when the atmosphere is absolutely unstable.

The average annual precipitation for the earth is equal to the annual amount of evaporated water.

In your own words, describe the process that causes a cold glass of ice water to 'sweat.' Include a discussion of the flow of energy through this system, and use appropriate vocabulary.

Introduction to the Atmosphere

Heating Earths Surface and Atmosphere

Temperature

Forms of Condensation and Precipitation

Air Pressure and Winds

Circulation of the Atmosphere

Air Masses

Weather Patterns

Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

Hurricanes

Weather Analysis and Forecasting

Air Pollution

The Changing Climate

World Climates

Optical Phenomena of the Atmosphere

Filters