CFA 2: Weather & Climate

Convection in Action

100

Convection currents are formed in the atmosphere when cold air pushes warm air upward.

Which property of the air is most responsible for the formation of convection currents?

A. chemical composition

B. thermal conductivity

C. density differences

D. specific heat 

C. density differences

200

Which of these has the greatest capacity for storing thermal energy from the Sun?

A. air

B. land

C. oceans

D. plants 

C. oceans

300

Not all of the energy from the Sun that hits Earth’s atmosphere actually enters the atmosphere. Some of the energy is reflected away from Earth. The figure below shows what happens to Earth’s incoming solar energy.

How much of the incoming solar energy can affect processes on Earth?

A. 100%

B. 77% 

C. 71%

D. 48%

C. 71%

400

Uneven heating of Earth causes convection currents.

What part of this process is being demonstrated in this diagram?

A. Heat causes gases to expand.

B. Heat causes gases to contract.

C. As air cools, currents flow clockwise.

D. As air cools, currents flow counterclockwise. 

A. Heat causes gases to expand.

500

Which of these best explains the cause of convection currents in Earth’s atmosphere?

A. Heat from Earth’s core heats the land only at the equator.

B. Glaciers moving away from the poles cool Earth unevenly.

C. Sunlight is more concentrated in some places on Earth than others.

D. The light and heat reflected from the Moon varies as the Moon changes phases. 

C. Sunlight is more concentrated in some places on Earth than others.

Air-Mass Match-Up

100

The arrow on the map below shows the location of an air mass over the Gulf of Mexico.

Which are the most likely characteristics of this air mass?

A. cool and dry

B. cool and humid

C. warm and humid

D. warm and dry 

C. warm and humid

200

The diagram shows the movement of air.

Which factor is most responsible for the movement of the air shown?

A. uneven heating of the air

B. imbalance in organisms breathing the air

C. sunlight getting blocked by the land

D. different levels of liquid in the air 

A. uneven heating of the air

300

What is the main source of energy that drives all weather patterns?

A. the Sun

B. oceans

C. the Moon

D. mountains 

A. the Sun

400

How does air density affect air pressure?

A. Warm air rises, creating an area of low pressure under it.

B. Cool air rises, creating an area of low pressure.

C. Warm air sinks, creating an area of high pressure under it

D. Cool air rises, creating an area of high pressure under it. 

A. Warm air rises, creating an area of low pressure under it.

Where Air Masses Form

100

What are the characteristics of maritime polar air masses?

A. cool and dry

B. warm and dry

C. cool and humid

D. warm and humid 

C. cool and humid

Weather Front Face-Off

100

The diagram shows a weather map.

According to this map, a cold front is moving through which state?

A. New Mexico

B. Illinois

C. Oregon

D. Nevada 

C. Oregon

Weather Maps & Predictions

100

This weather map shows a variety of high- and low-pressure systems across the country.

Which of the following is the most likely cause of the high- and low-pressure systems?

A. lunar gravity

B. global warming

C. magnetic field

D. solar energy

D. solar energy

200

The diagram below shows a weather map.

Which city is most likely to experience the cold front first?

A. Athens

B. Dayton

C. Marietta

D. Steubenville 

B. Dayton

300

The weather maps show temperatures and rain chances for four locations over a two-day period.

Rain chances increase in which numbered location?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4 

B. 2