Q3review.html

Review sheet for Quiz #3

KEY TERMS

Advection fog Anticyclone Anticyclonic flow Barometer

Bergeron process Centrifugal force Cloud droplet Collision-coalescence

Condensation nuclei Cooling fog Coriolis force Cyclone

Cyclonic flow Doldrums Evaporation fog Fog

Friction Frontal fog Geostrophic wind Gravity

Hadley cell Horse latitudes Hygrophobic Hygroscopic

Ideal gas law ITCZ Jet stream Land breeze

Macroscale Mesoscale Microscale Monsoon

Neutral atmosphere Pressure gradient force Radiation fog Raindrop

Sea breeze Stable atmosphere Steam fog Supercooled water

Thermal wind Unstable atmosphere Upslope fog Weather modification

KEY CONCEPTS/QUESTIONS
1. Describe the process of condensation and the role of condensation nuclei in the formation of clouds.
2. Discuss the basis of cloud classification and list the major cloud types based on their form and height.
3. Explain the formation of the various types of fog.
4. Outline the formation of precipitation according to the Bergeron process and the collision-coalescence process.
5. Discuss the current status of weather modification.
6. Define air pressure, and explain how it is measured.
7. Describe the relationship that exists between the pressure exerted by a column of air, the air's temperature, and its density.
8. Discuss pressure changes with increasing altitude.
9. Outline in detail how the pressure-gradient force, the Coriolis effect, and friction each affect the wind.
10. Define an isobar, and describe the relationship between the spacing of isobars and the amount of pressure change occurring over a given distance.
11. Discuss winds aloft and geostropic flow.
12. Explain cyclonic and anticyclonic airflow.
13. Describe the instruments used to determine the two basic wind measurements, direction, and speed.
14. Explain the difference between macroscale, mesoscale, and microscale winds.
15. List and describe several types of local winds.
16. Discuss the three-cell circulation model of the atmosphere.
17. Identify each of Earth's idealized zonal pressure belts.
18. Discuss the locations and causes of the major monsoons.
19. With reference to the ideal gas law, what will happen to temperature if pressure is reduced and density remains constant?
20. How will density change if temperature remains constant and pressure increases?
21. How does atmospheric pressure change with increasing altitude?
22. List and briefly describe each of the factors that affect wind.
23. Write a short paragraph describing the difference between a geostrophic wind and a gradient wind.

Multiple choice and true/false (will not be on quiz) for you to practice with; from publisher's web site.
1. When condensation occurs in the air above the ground, tiny particles known as __________ serve as surfaces on which water vapor can condense.

2. Clouds are classified on the basis of two criteria: __________ and __________.

3. __________ clouds are high, white, and thin clouds that form delicate veil-like patches or extended wispy fibers.

4. Supercooled water is water which is __________.

5. Cloud seeding is a method of intentional weather modification used in attempts to __________.

6. When warm and moist air is blown over a cold surface, it becomes chilled and may form a blanket of fog call __________ fog.

7. Hygroscopic nuclei are introduced into the atmosphere mainly as a by-product of combustion.

8. Experimentation has indicated that the formation of raindrops by collision and coalescence of small cloud droplets is influenced by the presence of atmospheric electricity.

9. A cloud with its base at or very near the ground is called fog.

10. The Bergeron process that generates much of the precipitation in the middle latitudes is most associated with cold clouds.

11. The collision-coalescence process of precipitation formation is most efficient in environments where large cloud droplets are plentiful, a condition which frequently occurs in warm clouds in the tropics.

12. Which one of the following would produce the greatest change in atmospheric pressure?

13. Average air pressure at sea level is about __________ pounds per square inch.

14. The Coriolis effect is responsible for __________ of the wind.

15. Centers of low pressure are referred to as __________, while high pressures are frequently called __________, in the northern hemisphere.

16. Which one of the following correctly expresses the ideal gas law?

17. When compared to warm air masses, cold air masses are generally associated with __________ atmospheric pressure.

18. If "fair weather" is approaching, the pressure tendency would most likely be __________.

19. Lines connecting places of equal pressure are called __________.

20. The magnitude of the Coriolis force is least at __________.

21. The vertical airflow in an anticyclone results in __________.

22. Geostrophic winds occur when the Coriolis force is __________ the pressure-gradient force and the air moves __________ to the isobars.

23. Surface convergence about a cyclone causes a net __________ movement of air.

24. Standard sea level pressure is 101,325 newtons per square meter (1013.25 millibars).

25. On a rotating Earth, Coriolis force acts to change the direction of a moving body to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

26. Most large scale horizontal movements of air are slow.

27. Wind direction of southeast means that the wind is blowing from the southeast.

28. The magnitude of the Coriolis force is proportional to wind speed.

29. A steep pressure gradient indicates strong winds.

30. A wind that blows more often from one direction than any other is called a geostrophic wind.

31. Wind is the result of horizontal differences in air pressure, and the primary driving force is the pressure-gradient force.

32. If the pressure gradient were the only force acting on the air, the air would move in a curved path.

33. In addition to temperature, air pressure is also proportional to density.

34. A northwest wind blows toward the southeast.

35. Winds that blow at a constant speed parallel to curved isobars are called gradient winds.

36. According to the ideal gas law, in a closed container where density remains constant, an increase in temperature results in an increase in pressure.

37. Stormy weather is more closely associated with cyclones than with anticyclones.

38. The westerlies and trade winds are examples of what winds?

39. According to single-cell circulation model proposed by George Hadley, the most important factor causing the global atmospheric circulation was __________.

40. The midlatitude jet stream occurs along a major frontal zone called the __________ front.

41. Most of the United States is located in which global wind zone?

42. Which two global winds originate from the subtropical highs?

43. The __________ is a wind system that exhibits pronounced seasonal reversal in direction.

44. Which one of the following statements about the midlatitude jet stream is NOT true?

45. The general subsidence of air between latitudes 20° and 35° is responsible for the world's subtropical deserts, in particular, the Sahara Desert of northern Africa and the Great Australian Desert.

46. Land and sea breezes, thunderstorms, and tornadoes are good examples of mesoscale winds.

47. The North American monsoon produces a wet spring followed by a comparatively dry summer that impacts large areas of southwestern United States and northwest Mexico.

48. The strength and location of Earth's pressure patterns vary during the course of the year.

49. The trade winds from both hemispheres meet near the equator in a region that has a weak pressure gradient called the horse latitudes.

50. In general, regions influenced by high pressure experience dry conditions.

51. The polar easterlies and the westerlies clash to form a convergent zone known as the subpolar low.

52. A three-cell circulation model of the atmosphere is a more realistic way to examine global circulation than a one-cell model.

Advection fog	Anticyclone	Anticyclonic flow	Barometer
Bergeron process	Centrifugal force	Cloud droplet	Collision-coalescence
Condensation nuclei	Cooling fog	Coriolis force	Cyclone
Cyclonic flow	Doldrums	Evaporation fog	Fog
Friction	Frontal fog	Geostrophic wind	Gravity
Hadley cell	Horse latitudes	Hygrophobic	Hygroscopic
Ideal gas law	ITCZ	Jet stream	Land breeze
Macroscale	Mesoscale	Microscale	Monsoon
Neutral atmosphere	Pressure gradient force	Radiation fog	Raindrop
Sea breeze	Stable atmosphere	Steam fog	Supercooled water
Thermal wind	Unstable atmosphere	Upslope fog	Weather modification