Elements of Weather
Which type of weather data is measured using a barometer?
A. wind speed
B. relative humidity
C. precipitation
D. air pressure
D. air pressure
Water vapor cools and condenses from a gas to a liquid during condensation. What happens when this process happens near the ground?
A. water evaporates from the ocean
B. water runs off into lakes and streams
C. fog forms
D. precipitation falls to the Earth
C. fog forms
The latitude of a place affects its climate. Which sentence best describes how latitude and air temperature are related?
A. The lower the latitude, the lower the air temperature.
B. The lower the latitude, the colder the air temperature.
C. The higher the latitude, the colder the air temperature.
D. The higher the latitude, the warmer the air temperature.
C. The higher the latitude, the colder the air temperature.
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
A. guidelines for the burning of fossil fuels
B. guidelines for reducing all natural causes of climate change
C. an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
D. an agreement by the United States to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions
C. an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Which statement about large bodies of water and its affect on a coastal climate is true?
A. Areas located near large bodies of water are warmer in the summer than areas that are located farther from large bodies of water.
B. Areas located near large bodies of water are colder in the winter than areas that are located farther from large bodies of water.
C. Extreme temperature changes take place in areas located near large bodies of water.
D. Areas located near large bodies of water have more moderate temperatures than areas located farther inland.
D. Areas located near large bodies of water have more moderate temperatures than areas located farther inland.
One measure of weather includes the maximum distance at which large objects can be seen with the unaided eye. What does this describe?
A. wind speed
B. visibility
C. air pressure
D. temperature
B. visibility
How does the sun's energy most directly influence the water cycle?
A. The sun creates surface currents that brings precipitation to an area
B. the sun powers the water cycle by causing runoff
C. the sun controls the amount of condensation and therefore precipitation
D. the sun powers the water cycle, which determines precipitation
D. the sun powers the water cycle, which determines precipitation
In which climate zone is most of the United States located?
A. polar
B. tropical
C. temperate
D. sub-tropical
C. temperate
How can volcanoes cause sudden changes in Earth’s climate?
A. Volcanic eruptions allow more sunlight to reach the Earth, causing it to heat up.
B. Volcanoes do not cause sudden changes; they cause slow changes to Earth’s climate.
C. A volcanic eruption can release large amounts of particulates into the atmosphere and block some sunlight.
D. Volcanic eruptions can melt ice in nearby water bodies, cooling the water and thereby the climate in surrounding areas.
C. A volcanic eruption can release large amounts of particulates into the atmosphere and block some sunlight.
Why do coastal areas have cooler summers than inland areas at the same latitude?
A. because bodies of water heat up more slowly than land, but cool off more rapidly than land
B. because bodies of water heat up more rapidly than land, but cool off more slowly than land
C. because bodies of water heat up and cool off more slowly than land
D. because bodies of water heat up and cool off more rapidly than land
C. because bodies of water heat up and cool off more slowly than land
Visitors to Florida sometimes complain about the high humidity. What does high humidity indicate?
A. a cool temperature
B. a high-pressure system
C. an approaching cold front
D. a high amount of water vapor in the air
D. a high amount of water vapor in the air
Imagine that the barometer in Key West, Florida is falling. What does this indicate about the weather?
A. A low-pressure system is moving toward Key West.
B. A high-pressure system is moving toward Key West.
C. A cold air mass is heading in the direction of Key West.
D. A warm air mass is heading in the direction of Key West.
A. A low-pressure system is moving toward Key West.
Many factors are used to determine the climate of an area. Which of the following are the two main factors that determine climate?
A. precipitation and humidity
B. temperature and air pressure
C. wind conditions and humidity
D. temperature and precipitation
D. temperature and precipitation
Which of these is not a currently predicted effect of global climate change?
A. rising sea levels
B. increased precipitation everywhere on the globe
C. reduction in Arctic sea ice
D. more severe storms
B. increased precipitation everywhere on the globe
Surface currents can affect climate and weather. What are surface currents?
A. daily changes in the level of ocean water
B. water that empties from rivers into the ocean
C. slow mixing of warm and cold water near the surface of the ocean
D. stream-like movements of water that happen near the surface of the ocean
D. stream-like movements of water that happen near the surface of the ocean
Wind speed is measured by using a _________.
A. barometer
B. windsock
C. anamometer
D. psychrometer
C. anamometer
Which of the following is a direct result of differences in air pressure?
A. humidity
B. precipitation
C. temperature
D. wind
D. wind
Which best describes why latitudes closer to the equator have warmer climates?
A. Latitudes closer to the equator are at lower elevations than latitudes away from the equator.
B. Latitudes closer to the equator receive more solar energy than latitudes away from the equator.
C. Latitudes closer to the equator are nearer to ocean currents than latitudes away from the equator.
D. Latitudes closer to the equator get more wind carrying energy in the form of heat than latitudes away from the equator.
B. Latitudes closer to the equator receive more solar energy than latitudes away from the equator.
Which of the following is a human activity that can cause climate change?
A. burning fossil fuels
B. removing greenhouse gases
C. using alternative energy sources
D. increasing particulates from volcanoes
A. burning fossil fuels
What can we learn about Earth’s climate by studying the geologic record?
A. Earth’s climate has remained constant.
B. Earth’s climate used to be much warmer.
C. Earth’s climate used to be both warmer and cooler.
D. Earth’s climate has changed only in the last 50 years.
C. Earth’s climate used to be both warmer and cooler.
The amount of moisture in the air is commonly expressed as ____________ humidity.
A. dry
B. relative
C. wet
D. precipitation
B. relative
What causes wind?
A. ocean currents
B. differences in elevation
C. trees on Earth’s surface
D. the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun
D. the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun
Elevation is the measure of how high something is above a reference point. What is the most common reference point used to refer to the elevation of natural landforms?
A. sea level
B. lake level
C. land level
D. river level
A. sea level
Which of the following is the most direct way that humans can help reduce the rate of global warming?
A. outlaw alternative energy
B. increase energy consumption
C. decrease energy consumption
D. make computer models of emissions
C. decrease energy consumption
What is one challenge that comes with using alternative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A. Alternative technologies are not yet available.
B. Alternative technologies consume more fossil fuels.
C. Alternative technologies work in certain areas only.
D. Alternative technologies can be more expensive than traditional technologies.
D. Alternative technologies can be more expensive than traditional technologies.