Science Behind the Weather
Stormy Weather
Hazards
Storms, Tornadoes, Hurricanes Oh My
Chemistry Curiosities
100
Which one of the following is NOT a form of energy?
a. Kinetic (motion)
b. Perpetual
c. Potential (stored)
d. Heat
b. Perpetual
100
The key ingredient in tornado development, in addition to moisture, unstable air, and lift is ______.
a. Updraft
b. Downdraft
c. Wind shear
d. Squall
c. Wind shear
100
A high explosive is:
a. An explosive whose shock wave moves faster than the speed of sound
b. An explosive with very high volatility and hygroscopicity
c. An explosive that needs confinement to generate damaging blast effects
d. An explosive that can easily be set off by impact, heat, spark, or electric charge
a. An explosive whose shock wave moves faster than the speed of sound
100
During a hurricane, the right front quadrant of the storm, with respect to the direction of motion along the track of the hurricane, is where:
a. Calm weather and sunny skies are located
b. The strongest winds and storm surge typically occur
c. The winds are usually the least powerful.
d. Tornado activity is generally absent.
b. The strongest winds and storm surge typically occur
100
To what does the following definition refer? A substance that, once ignited, burns extremely rapidly and produces a violent chemical reaction that creates intense heat, a large volume of expanding gas, and a shock wave.
a. Chemical
b. Explosive
c. Ductile material
d. Oxidizer
b. Explosive
200
Validity and credibility are important when considering scientific information from sources. Credibility considerations include:
a. Sources cited, backed by evidence, and vetted by peers
b. Sources cited, backed by evidence, and popular acceptance
c. Sources cited, believable claims, and vetted by media
d. Popular spokesperson, backed by evidence, and vetted by media
a. Sources cited, backed by evidence, and vetted by peers
200
A nor’easter:
a. Is a strong low-pressure system
b. Is composed of high-speed winds that move in a straight direction
c. Typically moves from the northeastern part of the country toward the Gulf of Mexico
d. Develops from the bottom up, like a hurricane
a. Is a strong low-pressure system
200
The greatest weather-related hazard to life safety has historically been ______.
a. Lightning
b. Tornados
c. Extreme heat
d. Extreme cold
c. Extreme heat
200
Which of the following statements about tsunamis is TRUE?
a. A tsunami is a series of very long wave-length ocean waves.
b. A tsunami is a single, huge, cresting, tidal wave.
c. Out at sea, a tsunami is an enormous slow-moving wave.
d. A tsunami only gains speed when it is within a mile of a coastline.
a. A tsunami is a series of very long wave-length ocean waves.
200
Chemical reactions can:
a. Be violent when water, air, or shock are introduced
b. Form explosive mixtures with water, air or other chemicals
c. Generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes
d. All of the above
d. All of the above
300
Science can be described as:
a. The consequences experienced from a threat
b. The potential unwanted outcome from an incident based on its likelihood and consequences
c. The frequency of potentially adverse events
d. Systematic knowledge of the physical world gained through observation and experimentation
d. Systematic knowledge of the physical world gained through observation and experimentation
300
Santa Anna winds are strong, extremely dry winds that can create ______.
a. Critical wildfire weather conditions
b. Bomb cyclones
c. Haboobs
d. Thunderstorms
a. Critical wildfire weather conditions
300
Cybercrime activity includes all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Phishing scam
b. Bitwise operation
c. Denial of service
d. Virus/malware
b. Bitwise operation
300
Forces imposed on an object by water flowing against and around it, including positive and negative pressures and drag effect, is referred to as:
a. Velocity
b. Hydrostatic force
c. Hydrodynamic force
d. Debris impact
c. Hydrodynamic force
300
There are four types of ionizing radiation: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and____.
a. Neutron
b. Neuron
c. Neutral
d. Normal
b. Neutron
400
A 100-year flood is:
a. The greatest flood that has occurred in any given 100-year period
b. A flood that has a 100 percent chance of occurring in a year of average rainfall
c. The average flood level expected across the United States over the next 100 years
d. A flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year
d. A flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year
400
______ is a warm phase of the ENSO cycle where warmer ocean waters can affect global weather patterns.
a. La Nina
b. El Nino
b. El Nino
400
A rapidly flowing mixture of rock, debris, and water is called a:
a. Lahar
b. Pyroclastic density current
c. Explosive eruption
d. Low-silica magma
a. Lahar
400
What is a tornado?
a. A large ocean wave
b. A rapidly rotating column of air that touches both the ground and a cloud
c. A type of hurricane
d. All of the above
b. A rapidly rotating column of air that touches both the ground and a cloud
400
A radiation subject matter expert (SME) is called to brief your team and elected officials after an incident has occurred. The SME explains that the half-life of the radioactive material is 138 days.
a. You are concerned because it will take that long before it all decays
b. You are relieved since it takes that long before it will begin to decay
c. You are concerned because half of it will still be around after that time
d. You are relieved because it will be all gone in half that much time
c. You are concerned because half of it will still be around after that time
500
Convection occurs because
a. Substances like air are denser when hot and thus rise
b. Substances like air are less dense when hot and thus rise
c. High pressure systems force air downward
d. Uneven heating makes energy transfer from one object to another
b. Substances like air are less dense when hot and thus rise
500
Emergency managers must consider the effects of climate change on their communities. Which would you not consider:
a. Change in sea level
b. Change in weather patterns
c. Impacts on food production
d. Personal beliefs
d. Personal beliefs
500
Meteorological Droughts are:
a. A drought in which the amount of moisture in the soil no longer meets the needs of a particular crop
b. A drought in which physical water shortages begin to affect people
c. A drought in which surface and subsurface water supplies are below normal
d. A drought in which there is a measure of departure from the normal level of precipitation
d. A drought in which there is a measure of departure from the normal level of precipitation
500
What atmospheric conditions are typically necessary for tornado formation?
a. Warm, moist air near the surface and cold, dry air above
b. High humidity at all levels
c. Calm winds at all levels
d. Cold, dry air near the surface
a. Warm, moist air near the surface and cold, dry air above
500
Radiation contamination occurs when
a. You are exposed to a radioactive material
b. There is shielding but it is sufficient to stop the radiation
c. You get an x-ray at the dentist or doctor’s office
d. You come in physical contact with a radioactive material
d. You come in physical contact with a radioactive material