Exam 13: The Atmosphere in Motion

Consider the figure as evidence in evaluating the truthfulness of the following statement: "Particular barometer readings always correspond to specific types of weather."

When the pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis force, high altitude ________ move parallel to isobars.

You are getting ready to go for a hike on a summer day. You check the barograph and discover that the pressure tendency has been rising for several hours. Based on this information, what gear should you be sure to pack for your hike?

Winds occurring as a result of upper-level flow are generally faster than the surface winds directly below.

On the basis of vegetation patterns, cloud cover, and sea surface patterns (choppy or calm), identify the directions that the prevailing trade winds blow over the Hawaiian islands. Draw an arrow on this image to express your answer. NASA image

Lines on a weather map connecting places of equal air pressure are called ________.

All of the following instruments are used to measure air pressure except for ________.

Above a height of a few kilometers, the Coriolis effect is equal to and opposite the pressure gradient force, which results in ________ winds that blow parallel to the isobars.

In Eurasia, the land becomes cold in the winter and develops a seasonal high-pressure system from which surface flow is directed off the land. In the summer, in contrast, the opposite occurs: The landmasses are heated and develop a low-pressure cell, which permits air to flow onto the land. This "switch" in directions of airflow into or off of the continent gives rise to ________.

The pressure gradient force is always directed parallel to the isobars.

Match the item in the first column with the correct description in the second column. A)a night-time wind in coastal regions, moving seaward B)a day-time wind in coastal regions, moving inland C)a surface region of low atmospheric pressure around which winds spiral inwards D)a surface region of high atmospheric pressure around which winds spiral outwards E)a device that measures wind speed, but not direction F)a device that measures wind direction, but not speed G)the equatorial low-pressure zone H)air movement the occurs between the equator and the subtropical high -1)cyclone 2)anticyclone 3)anemometer 4)wind vane 5)sea breeze 6)land breeze 7)intertropical convergence zone 8)trade wind

Examine the figure. Which of the four lettered columns shows the correct order of slowest wind symbols (top)to fastest wind symbols (bottom)?

Examine the barograph shown in the photograph. Based on the data available there, would you expect rainy or clear weather to be more likely? Explain.

The driving force of wind is the horizontal air pressure gradient that results from unequal heating of Earth's surface by the Sun.

Discuss the major factors that influence the global distribution of precipitation.

Widely spaced isobars indicate strong winds.

Air flows from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure.

Examine the figure. Compare the precipitation maps in parts A and B with the atmospheric pressure patterns depicted in parts C and D. Does A or B match up with C? Which one matches with D? Explain.

The zone of subsiding dry air which encircles the globe near 30° latitude, north and south, is known as the ________.

While some barometers express atmospheric pressure in millibars, others use ________ as their basic unit of measurement.