Unit 2 Review: Weather and Climate
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Which of the following is NOT one of the six factors that affect climate?

  • Solar eclipse (correct)
  • Differential heating of land and water
  • Ocean currents
  • Global pressure belts
  • The greenhouse effect contributes positively to Earth's average temperature.

    True

    What is the approximate percentage of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface?

    50%

    Which ocean current is categorized as cold?

    <p>California</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A warm current pulls moisture out of coastal regions, making them dry.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The two general types of climate created by differential heating of land and water bodies are ____ and ____.

    <p>continental, maritime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following seasonal events with their corresponding months:

    <p>Spring Equinox = March Summer Solstice = June Fall Equinox = September Winter Solstice = December</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an air mass?

    <p>A large package of air sharing features like moisture content, air pressure, and temperature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Orographic precipitation describes how mountains cause air masses to condense, forming clouds and often __________.

    <p>precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the angle of incidence as the Earth tilts away from the sun?

    <p>It decreases, resulting in less solar radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Maritime climates are characterized by high temperature variations and low precipitation.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the terms with their correct descriptions:

    <p>Adiabatic cooling = Cooling of air as it expands when rising Adiabatic warming = Warming of air as it compresses while descending Cold front = Area of violent, sudden showers Warm front = Area of gentle but longer-lasting showers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR)?

    <p>1 C / 100 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the type of weather produced at a front?

    <p>The temperature and moisture differences of the air masses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do warm ocean currents typically have on the land masses they pass by?

    <p>They generally raise the temperature and increase precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A high pressure system is associated with warm, moist, and ascending air.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mountains can create isolation of climates by blocking air mass movement.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does altitude affect climate?

    <p>Air cools as it rises (adiabatic cooling) and warms as it descends (adiabatic warming).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean if isobars are far apart from each other?

    <p>The air mass has a gentle slope.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A convection current is a loop of air that moves from warm to _____ air.

    <p>cold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following pressure systems with their characteristics:

    <p>High pressure = Descending and clear air Low pressure = Ascending and moist air Dry adiabatic lapse rate = 1 C / 100 m Wet adiabatic lapse rate = 0.6 C / 100 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At which latitude are many of the world's deserts typically found?

    <p>30 degrees North</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Coriolis Force causes all winds in the northern hemisphere to bend to the left.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What creates a low pressure system?

    <p>A concentration of solar energy causing warming and ascending air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of the tilt of the Earth as it orbits the sun?

    <p>Changes in the height of the sun in the sky</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The greenhouse effect results in an average global temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two general types of climate created by differential heating of land and water bodies?

    <p>Continental and maritime climates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ocean currents can be categorized as ______ or ______ based on their temperature.

    <p>warm, cold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following seasonal events with their definitions:

    <p>Equinox = Day and night are of approximately equal length Solstice = The longest or shortest day of the year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface?

    <p>50%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Land heats up and cools down more slowly than water bodies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon describes why more solar radiation reaches the equator than the polar regions?

    <p>Angle of incidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following ocean currents is considered a warm current?

    <p>Gulf Stream</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A warm front typically produces violent, sudden rainfall like a cold front does.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is orographic precipitation?

    <p>The process where mountains cause air masses to condense, forming clouds and often precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When air rises, it expands due to less air above it, causing a process known as __________ cooling.

    <p>adiabatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following currents with their classifications:

    <p>California = Cold Alaska = Warm Gulf Stream = Warm Labrador = Cold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does altitude primarily affect air masses?

    <p>It creates adiabatic cooling and warming.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mountains can prevent air masses from moving, thus isolating climates.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a cold front overtakes a warm front?

    <p>Violent, sudden showers occur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate rate at which an air mass cools as elevation increases in the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR)?

    <p>1 C / 100 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Low pressure systems are characterized by cool, descending air.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a convection current?

    <p>A loop of air that moves from warm to cold, with warm air rising, cooling, and then falling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Deserts are often found at a band of latitude around ____ degrees North, where there is high pressure.

    <p>30</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>High pressure = Cold, heavy, and descending air Low pressure = Warm, moist, and ascending air Isobars = Lines linking points of equal air pressure Coriolis Force = Bends winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when isobars are close together?

    <p>Steep elevation change in air mass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Santa Ana winds are caused by a concentration of solar energy leading to warm, dry conditions.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three cells created by convection currents?

    <p>Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Unit 2 Review: Weather and Climate

    • Factors affecting climate include: Earth in space, differential heating of land and water, ocean currents, air masses, relief barriers, and global pressure belts.
    • Earth's orbit around the sun is shown in a diagram. The diagram illustrates the changing angle of the sun's rays to Earth throughout the year, which affects the amount of solar radiation received. Understanding how the angle of incidence of the sun's rays changes throughout the year is key to understanding climate. Seasonal events (equinoxes and solstices) are associated with specific months and affect climate.
    • The angle of incidence is the angle at which sunlight hits a surface. A larger angle of incidence means more surface area is covered by the same amount of radiation, and less atmosphere needs to be passed through.
    • The greenhouse effect is important to global temperature, maintaining a livable temperature. Without it, the average global temperature would be -18°C.
    • The solar radiation budget shows how much of the sun's energy reaches Earth's surface, with approximately 50% reaching the surface.
    • Differential heating of land and water bodies leads to different climate types. Land heats and cools faster than water, leading to different temperature ranges in continental and maritime climates. Land absorbs heat quickly but radiates it quickly and water bodies store solar energy more slowly, storing heat as latent heat.
    • Ocean currents affect climate by transporting heat around the globe. Warmer currents increase humidity and rainfall, while colder currents lead to drier conditions. Specific ocean currents affecting North America were identified, including their character as "warm" (W) or "cold" (C) currents.
    • Air masses are large bodies of air with similar temperature and moisture content. Air masses can carry weather systems over long distances.
    • Fronts are boundaries between different air masses. The intensity and duration of storms caused by fronts depend on the differences in temperature and moisture content of the clashing air masses
    • Altitude affects climate due to adiabatic cooling and warming. As air rises, it expands and cools. Conversely, as air sinks, it compresses and warms.
    • Mountains influence climate through orographic precipitation and climate isolation. Air masses encounter a mountain range, causing air to rise, cool, condense, and precipitate. Mountains block air movement influencing the amount in regional climate.
    • Two types of adiabatic lapse rates - dry and wet - in orographic precipitation are described.
    • High pressure is associated with cool, clear air descending, while low pressure is connected with warm, moist air rising.
    • Isobars are lines of equal atmospheric pressure and are used as part of weather maps. These lines are useful to identify large areas of weather and climate. The distance between the isobars on a weather map determines how steep the pressure gradient is.
    • Convection currents are circular movements of air caused by temperature differences, creating weather patterns. Convection currents are a key component of climate.
    • Global pressure belts and the movement of prevailing winds are highlighted, specifically concentrating on the Northern Hemisphere. This helps understand large-scale weather patterns.
    • Deserts are often found in areas with high-pressure systems and descending air, causing low moisture conditions that lead to desert conditions.
    • El Niño is a climate pattern associated with unusual warming of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean, affecting weather patterns globally and leading to changes in precipitation and temperature that disrupt climates.

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    Description

    This quiz covers key concepts in weather and climate from Unit 2, including factors that influence climate such as the Earth's position in space, ocean currents, and the greenhouse effect. Understanding these concepts is essential for recognizing how seasonal changes and solar radiation impact global temperatures.

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