Geography Chapter 4 & 5 Quiz

The passage of solar radiation through the atmosphere without being absorbed or reflected.

The bouncing back of solar radiation from a surface.

The taking in of solar radiation by a surface, which increases its temperature.

The reflectivity of a surface. Higher albedo means more reflection.

Insolation and air temperature are directly related. More insolation leads to warmer temperatures.

0 degrees Celsius

32 degrees Fahrenheit

100 degrees Celsius

212 degrees Fahrenheit

The line of highest average temperature on Earth, which shifts seasonally.

Factors influencing a location's temperature: latitude, elevation, cloud cover, and continentality/maritime influence.

An area of compressed air.

An area of less compressed air.

1013 millibars.

Winds are named for the direction from which they originate.

Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas due to factors like dark surfaces and heat retention.

A wind blowing from the west.

A wind blowing from the sea towards the land.

A wind direction indicator (showing North, South, East, West) and wind speed in knots.

A global atmospheric circulation pattern with low pressure at the ITCZ, high pressure at the subtropical high, and easterly trade winds.

Global circulation pattern with high pressure at the pole, subpolar low, and polar easterly winds.

Mid-latitude westerly winds between subtropical high and subpolar low.

Describes air motion around high and low pressure centers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Local wind circulation pattern caused by temperature differences between land and sea.

Local wind circulation pattern caused by temperature differences between mountain slopes and valleys.

Cold, dense air flowing downhill.

Seasonal wind reversal, often associated with significant rainfall.

Oceanographic event with upwelling and sea surface temperature differences compared to normal.

Opposite of El Niño

Water is the universal solvent, ice is less dense than liquid water, water absorbs and releases a lot of energy when changing phase.

Processes like melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, and sublimation where water transitions between states. These changes involve energy transfer.

Pressure exerted by water vapor in the air.

The amount of water vapor in a given mass of air.

The temperature at which air becomes saturated and dew forms.

The amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature.

Calculated by dividing the actual water vapor pressure by the saturation vapor pressure and multiplying by 100%.

Relative humidity is highest in the morning/early evening when temperatures are lower, and lowest during the day when temperatures are higher.

Air parcel cools at a rate slower that the surrounding air.

Air parcel cools at a rate faster than the surrounding air.

Air parcel's stability depends on whether it is moist or dry.

Altitude at which rising air cools to the dew point and condensation begins to occur.

Sheet-like clouds, often associated with widespread precipitation.

Puffy, towering clouds, often associated with thunderstorms.

Wispy, high-altitude clouds.

Fog formed when the ground cools rapidly at night.

Fog created when warm, moist air moves over a cold surface.

Fog formed by the evaporation of water into cold air.

Rain formation in warm clouds, where water droplets collide & grow larger.

Snow formation in mixed-phase clouds, using ice crystals and supercooled water.

Liquid precipitation.

Solid precipitation (ice crystals).

Rain that freezes on contact.

Frozen raindrops.

Layered balls of ice.