Disaster Safety
What natural disaster produces strong winds, heavy rain, and can cause flooding?
A hurricane.
Which biome receives very little precipitation and may experience extremely hot days and cold nights?
Desert
What are the three main climate zones on Earth?
Tropical, temperate, and polar.
What is the force of air pushing down on Earth's surface called?
Atmospheric pressure (air pressure).
What imaginary line divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
The equator.
Why is it important for families to make an emergency preparedness plan before a natural disaster?
Natural disasters may happen with little warning.
Which two biomes generally receive the least amount of precipitation each year?
Tundra and desert.
Which climate zone is located closest to the equator?
Tropical zone.
What is most likely to happen when a meteorologist reports that air pressure is dropping?
The weather will change.
Which location generally receives more direct sunlight: one near the equator or one near the North Pole?
Near the equator.
During a hurricane, should you take shelter in a room with many windows or an interior room without windows?
An interior room without windows.
Which biome has large grasslands, mostly dry conditions, lots of sunlight, and low humidity?
Savanna.
Which climate zone is found near the North and South Poles and experiences the coldest temperatures?
Polar zone.
As altitude increases, does atmospheric pressure increase or decrease?
Decrease
City A is located at 40°N latitude, and City B is located at 30°N latitude. Which city is most likely warmer, and why?
City B because it is at a lower latitude and generally receives more direct energy from the Sun.
Name three important supplies families should keep in an emergency preparedness kit.
Water, nonperishable food, and a flashlight. (Also accept batteries, first-aid supplies, or medications.)
Which biome has rich, fertile soil, hot summers, and cold winters?
Grassland
Which climate zone is located between tropical and polar regions and generally experiences moderate temperatures?
Temperate zone.
Why do airplanes need pressurized cabins when flying at high altitudes?
Atmospheric pressure decreases as altitude increases, so cabins must be pressurized to maintain safe air pressure for passengers.
A scientist travels from a tropical rainforest near the equator to a tundra near the North Pole. Describe THREE changes the scientist is likely to observe involving temperature, sunlight, and precipitation.
Temperature: It becomes colder closer to the North Pole.
Sunlight: The Sun's rays become less direct as latitude increases.
Precipitation: The tundra generally receives much less precipitation than the tropical rainforest.
During an active Atlantic hurricane season, what ocean temperature condition may be occurring in the Pacific Ocean, according to the relationship studied?
Colder-than-normal water temperatures.
A tundra receives less than 25 cm of precipitation yearly and experiences very cold temperatures. A desert also receives less than 25 cm yearly but can have extremely hot days. What is one similarity and one difference between these biomes?
Both receive very little precipitation. The tundra is very cold, while a desert can have very hot days and cold nights.
Imagine traveling from the North Pole to the equator and then to the South Pole. Name the five climate-zone regions you would pass through in order.
Polar → Temperate → Tropical → Temperate → Polar.
If you created a graph showing atmospheric pressure as distance above Earth's surface increases, what would the graph look like?
A downward-sloping curve because atmospheric pressure decreases as altitude increases.
Explain how latitude affects temperature and why tropical regions are generally warmer than polar regions.
Tropical regions at low latitudes receive more direct sunlight, concentrating more solar energy. Polar regions at high latitudes receive sunlight at a lower angle, spreading the energy over a larger area and resulting in colder temperatures.