Question 1

The energy released by a hurricane comes from

Accepted Answer

A) cold Atlantic waters. 
B) spiraling winds. 
C) warm, moist air above warm, tropical oceans. 
D) the Sun. 
A) cold Atlantic waters. 
B) spiraling winds. 
C) warm, moist air above warm, tropical oceans. 
D) the Sun. C

Question 2

Does a rising moist air mass or a descending moist air mass produce precipitation? Why?

Accepted Answer

Both! Although precipitation actually falls from a descending moist air mass, the production of rain (or snow)requires both descending and rising air or, downdrafts and updrafts. Recall that most water droplets in clouds are so small that they evaporate before reaching the ground. Updrafts allow the water droplets more time in the cloud where they can grow in size. Once the weight of the drop is greater than the force of the updraft, the drop descends growing larger as it falls through the moist air. As the drops descend, they create a downdraft which, once created, yields precipitation.

Question 3

The changing of a substance from a liquid into a vapor or gas is called

Accepted Answer

A) condensation. 
B) evaporation. 
C) dew point. 
D) saturation point. 
A) condensation. 
B) evaporation. 
C) dew point. 
D) saturation point. B

Question 4

Temperature in the air is decreased by the process of

Accepted Answer

A) moisture condensation. 
B) moisture evaporation. 
C) contact with warm surfaces. 
D) solar radiation. 
A) moisture condensation. 
B) moisture evaporation. 
C) contact with warm surfaces. 
D) solar radiation.

Question 5

The Chinook wind is a warm, dry wind that descends the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. What makes these winds so warm and dry?

Accepted Answer

As air rises on the windward side, it ex

Question 6

What are the three main atmospheric lifting mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Convectional lifting due to the unequal

Question 7

We are warmed by condensation because water molecules in the air that strike our bodies

Accepted Answer

A) transfer some of their kinetic energy to us. 
B) gain kinetic energy as they change state. 
C) form an insulating layer on our bodies. 
D) none of these 
A) transfer some of their kinetic energy to us. 
B) gain kinetic energy as they change state. 
C) form an insulating layer on our bodies. 
D) none of these

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of adiabatic warming?

Accepted Answer

A) Cyclone. 
B) Chinook. 
C) Drought. 
D) Tornado. 
A) Cyclone. 
B) Chinook. 
C) Drought. 
D) Tornado.

Question 9

Air becomes saturated when its temperature

Accepted Answer

A) falls to a point where water vapor molecules evaporate. 
B) rises to a point where water vapor molecules condense. 
C) rises to a point where water vapor molecules evaporate. 
D) falls to a point where water vapor molecules condense. 
A) falls to a point where water vapor molecules evaporate. 
B) rises to a point where water vapor molecules condense. 
C) rises to a point where water vapor molecules evaporate. 
D) falls to a point where water vapor molecules condense.

Question 10

The downdraft in a thunderstorm is strengthened as

Accepted Answer

A) warm moist air sinks in the thunder cell. 
B) dry air is drawn into the cloud, raindrops evaporate, and the air chills. 
C) cold moist air condenses. 
D) precipitation particles grow and fall. 
A) warm moist air sinks in the thunder cell. 
B) dry air is drawn into the cloud, raindrops evaporate, and the air chills. 
C) cold moist air condenses. 
D) precipitation particles grow and fall.

Question 11

Warm air rises and cool air sinks. So when an air parcel rises it becomes

Accepted Answer

A) cooler. 
B) warmer. 
C) more stable. 
D) less stable. 
A) cooler. 
B) warmer. 
C) more stable. 
D) less stable.

Question 12

Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are very common

Accepted Answer

A) along the Gulf Coast. 
B) in the northeastern part of the United States. 
C) in the Central Plains. 
D) on the western slopes of the Rockies. 
A) along the Gulf Coast. 
B) in the northeastern part of the United States. 
C) in the Central Plains. 
D) on the western slopes of the Rockies.

Question 13

Tornadoes are rapidly rotating winds that blow counterclockwise around a small area of intense

Accepted Answer

A) high pressure. 
B) low pressure. 
A) high pressure. 
B) low pressure.

Question 14

Lightning is very common in thunderstorms. Lightning results from

Accepted Answer

A) an imbalance in energy. 
B) a separation of electrical charge within the cloud. 
C) air expansion. 
D) rising warm updrafts. 
A) an imbalance in energy. 
B) a separation of electrical charge within the cloud. 
C) air expansion. 
D) rising warm updrafts.

Question 15

Why does dew form on the ground during clear, calm summer nights?

Accepted Answer

The ground and objects on the ground are

Question 16

Lightning occurs as

Accepted Answer

A) water droplets in a cloud interact with one another, making the cloud electrically charged. 
B) electrical energy flows from a cloud to the ground. 
C) the surrounding air expands. 
D) electric energy flow from cloud to ground as interaction of water droplets electrically charge the cloud. 
A) water droplets in a cloud interact with one another, making the cloud electrically charged. 
B) electrical energy flows from a cloud to the ground. 
C) the surrounding air expands. 
D) electric energy flow from cloud to ground as interaction of water droplets electrically charge the cloud.

Question 17

When warm air moves into a cold air mass, the less-dense warmer air rides up over the colder, denser air. This is very similar to

Accepted Answer

A) orographic lifting. 
B) adiabatic lifting. 
C) temperature inversion. 
D) what happens during a tornado. 
A) orographic lifting. 
B) adiabatic lifting. 
C) temperature inversion. 
D) what happens during a tornado.

Question 18

Is it possible for the temperature of an air mass to change if no thermal energy is added or subtracted? Defend your answer.

Accepted Answer

Yes! Recall that temperature is proporti

Question 19

The evaporation of raindrops in the atmosphere

Accepted Answer

A) cleans the air. 
B) warms the air. 
C) cools the air. 
D) occurs only above tropical waters. 
A) cleans the air. 
B) warms the air. 
C) cools the air. 
D) occurs only above tropical waters.

Question 20

A drop in pressure is an indication of

Accepted Answer

A) an approaching cold front. 
B) orographic lifting. 
C) adiabatic expansion. 
D) a stationary front. 
A) an approaching cold front. 
B) orographic lifting. 
C) adiabatic expansion. 
D) a stationary front.

Exam 25: Driving Forces of Weather

The energy released by a hurricane comes from

Does a rising moist air mass or a descending moist air mass produce precipitation? Why?

The changing of a substance from a liquid into a vapor or gas is called

Temperature in the air is decreased by the process of

The Chinook wind is a warm, dry wind that descends the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. What makes these winds so warm and dry?

What are the three main atmospheric lifting mechanisms?

We are warmed by condensation because water molecules in the air that strike our bodies

Which of the following is an example of adiabatic warming?

Air becomes saturated when its temperature

The downdraft in a thunderstorm is strengthened as

Warm air rises and cool air sinks. So when an air parcel rises it becomes

Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are very common

Tornadoes are rapidly rotating winds that blow counterclockwise around a small area of intense

Lightning is very common in thunderstorms. Lightning results from

Why does dew form on the ground during clear, calm summer nights?

Lightning occurs as

When warm air moves into a cold air mass, the less-dense warmer air rides up over the colder, denser air. This is very similar to

Is it possible for the temperature of an air mass to change if no thermal energy is added or subtracted? Defend your answer.

The evaporation of raindrops in the atmosphere

A drop in pressure is an indication of

Patterns of Motion and Equilibrium

Newtons Laws of Motion

Momentum and Energy

Gravity, Projectiles, and Satellites

Fluid Mechanics

Thermal Energy and Thermodynamics

Heat Transfer and Change of Phase

Static and Current Electricity

Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Waves and Sound

Light

Atoms and the Periodic Table

The Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity

Elements of Chemistry

How Atoms Bond and Molecules Attract

Mixtures

How Chemicals React

Two Classes of Chemical Reactions

Organic Compounds

Rocks and Minerals

Plate Tectonics and Earths Interior

Shaping Earths Surface

Geologic Timereading the Rock Record

The Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climatic Effects

The Solar System

Stars and Galaxies

The Structure of Space and Time

Prologue: the Nature of Science

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