Air Masses Flashcards
19 Questions
100 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is an air mass?

An air mass is a huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure at any given height.

How do scientists classify air masses?

Scientists classify air masses by temperature (warm or cold) and humidity (wet or dry).

What does an air mass's temperature depend on?

The temperature of an air mass depends on where it is located.

Describe a tropical air mass.

<p>Tropical air masses are warm and form in the tropics where it is warm, and have low pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Would a tropical air mass have high pressure or low pressure?

<p>A tropical air mass would have low pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a polar air mass.

<p>Polar air masses are cold and form at the poles where it is cold, and have high pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Would a polar air mass have high pressure or low pressure?

<p>A polar air mass would have high pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an air mass's humidity depend on?

<p>Whether an air mass is humid or dry depends on whether it forms over water or land.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a maritime air mass.

<p>A maritime air mass forms over the ocean and becomes very humid or 'wet' due to water evaporation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a continental air mass.

<p>A continental air mass forms over land and is considered dry due to less exposure to large amounts of moisture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A cold air mass could also be called?

<p>A polar air mass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A warm air mass could also be called?

<p>A tropical air mass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A dry air mass could also be called?

<p>A continental air mass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A wet air mass could also be called?

<p>A maritime air mass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A wet - warm air mass is called?

<p>Maritime tropical.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A dry - warm air mass is called?

<p>Continental tropical.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A wet - cool air mass is called?

<p>Maritime polar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A dry - cool air mass is called?

<p>Continental polar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Simply look at a map of North America and its air masses!

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Air Masses Overview

  • An air mass is a large body of air with uniform temperature, humidity, and pressure at a given height.

Classification of Air Masses

  • Air masses are classified by temperature: warm or cold.
  • They are also classified by humidity: wet or dry.

Temperature Characteristics

  • The temperature of an air mass is influenced by its geographic location.

Tropical Air Mass

  • Forms in tropical regions; characterized by warmth.
  • Associated with low pressure due to the rising of warm air, leading to lower density.

Polar Air Mass

  • Forms at the poles; characterized by cold temperatures.
  • Associated with high pressure due to the sinking of cold air, leading to higher density.

Humidity Influences

  • Humidity of an air mass is determined by its formation over either water (humid) or land (dry).

Maritime Air Mass

  • Forms over oceans, resulting in high humidity.
  • Water evaporation contributes to the moist characteristic of this air mass.

Continental Air Mass

  • Forms over land and typically has low moisture content, making it dry.

Terminology of Air Masses

  • Cold air mass is synonymous with polar air mass.
  • Warm air mass is synonymous with tropical air mass.
  • A dry air mass is known as a continental air mass.
  • A wet air mass is identified as a maritime air mass.

Specific Types of Air Masses

  • Maritime tropical: wet and warm air mass.
  • Continental tropical: dry and warm air mass.
  • Maritime polar: wet and cool air mass.
  • Continental polar: dry and cool air mass.

Visual Understanding

  • To comprehend air masses in North America, consult a map showcasing their distribution.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the fundamentals of air masses with these flashcards. Learn how air masses are defined and classified, as well as what factors influence their temperature. This quiz is perfect for students of meteorology or anyone interested in atmospheric science.

More Like This

Weather Fronts and Air Masses
15 questions
Weather Patterns and Air Masses
12 questions
Air Masses and Fronts Flashcards
10 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser