Unit 2 Review: Weather and Climate
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Questions and Answers

Which ocean current is classified as a warm current?

  • Labrador Current
  • Gulf Stream (correct)
  • California Current
  • Alaska Current (correct)

    • Cold ocean currents can contribute to increased humidity in coastal regions.

    False

    Define an air mass and its significance in climate.

    An air mass is a large package of air sharing features like moisture and temperature that can influence weather patterns.

    When a warm air mass rises, it ___, leading to lower temperatures.

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

    Match the following air mass types with their characteristics:

    <p>Maritime Tropical = Warm and moist Continental Polar = Cold and dry Maritime Polar = Cool and moist Continental Tropical = Hot and dry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon describes rainfall caused by mountains forcing air masses to condense?

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

    Adiabatic warming occurs as air rises and expands.

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

    Explain how altitude influences climate using the terms adiabatic cooling and adiabatic warming.

    <p>As air rises, it expands and cools (adiabatic cooling). When air descends, it compresses and warms (adiabatic warming).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary effect of a greater angle of incidence on solar radiation?

    <p>More surface area covered by radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The greenhouse effect is responsible for raising the average global temperature to 18 degrees Celsius.

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

    What is the solar radiation budget?

    <p>The solar radiation budget demonstrates what happens to solar radiation when it reaches Earth.</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 type of climate with its corresponding temperature and precipitation characteristics:

    <p>Maritime = Lower temperature curve, more precipitation Continental = Higher temperature curve, less precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why less solar radiation reaches polar regions?

    <p>Greater angle of incidence and more atmosphere to pass through</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cold ocean currents generally raise the temperatures of the land masses they pass by.

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

    How do land and water bodies differ in their absorption and release of heat?

    <p>Land absorbs heat quickly and re-radiates it quickly, while water bodies store and release heat slowly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR)?

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

    Low pressure systems are associated with descending, cool air.

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

    What is meant by a convection current?

    <p>A loop of air that moves from warm to cold, where warm air rises, expands, cools, and then falls.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR) is ________ °C per 100m due to the effect of condensation.

    <p>0.6</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>Isobar = Links points of similar air pressure Contour Line = Links points of similar elevation High Pressure = Descending, cool air Low Pressure = Ascending, warm air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At approximately what latitude are many of the world's deserts found due to high pressure systems?

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

    The Coriolis effect causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to bend to the left.

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

    What causes the formation of a low pressure system?

    <p>A concentration of solar energy leading to warming, evaporation, and ascending air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following currents are classified as warm currents?

    <p>Alaska Current</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cold ocean currents increase humidity and lead to precipitation.

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

    What happens to air as it rises and expands?

    <p>It cools due to adiabatic cooling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _______ is a boundary zone that develops when two unlike air masses meet.

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

    Match the type of air mass with its characteristic:

    <p>Maritime Tropical = Warm and humid Continental Polar = Cold and dry Maritime Polar = Cool and moist Continental Tropical = Hot and dry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is orographic precipitation?

    <p>Rainfall induced by mountains causing air masses to condense.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe one way mountains influence climate.

    <p>Mountains can block air mass movement, leading to isolated climates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Adiabatic warming occurs as air masses rise and cool down.

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

    Which factor is NOT one of the six primary factors affecting climate?

    <p>Solar cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The greenhouse effect is a negative phenomenon for Earth's climate.

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

    What is the average global temperature without the greenhouse effect?

    <p>-18 degrees Celsius</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following climate characteristics to their corresponding types of climate:

    <p>Maritime = Lower temperature curve, high precipitation Continental = Higher temperature curve, lower precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the term 'angle of incidence' in relation to climate?

    <p>The angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cold ocean currents tend to warm the land masses they pass by.

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

    Explain why a greater angle of incidence results in less solar radiation reaching polar regions.

    <p>A greater angle of incidence spreads solar radiation over a larger surface area and means more atmosphere to pass through, leading to more reflection of radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Low pressure systems are associated with cool, dry air descending from above.

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

    What effect does condensation have on the wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR)?

    <p>It lowers the lapse rate due to the release of heat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An area of high pressure is associated with _____ air and typically leads to ______ weather.

    <p>cool, clear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of pressure systems with their characteristics:

    <p>High Pressure = Cool, descending air Low Pressure = Warm, moist, ascending air Convection Current = Loop of air moving from warm to cold Coriolis Effect = Winds bending to the right in the Northern Hemisphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are many of the world's deserts typically found?

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

    Isobars are analogous to contour lines in topography as they connect areas of equal pressure.

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

    What causes Santa Ana winds?

    <p>High pressure systems in the Great Basin push air into Southern California.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Unit 2 Review: Weather and Climate

    • Six factors affect climate: 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 relates to seasons and climate.
      • The diagram shows Earth's orbit around the sun, with corresponding months and seasonal events (equinoxes, solstices).
      • As Earth tilts away from the sun, the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth decreases.
    • Angle of Incidence:
      • A greater angle of incidence means more surface area covered by the same amount of radiation, due to Earth's curvature.
      • More atmosphere means more of the sun's radiation is reflected back into space by dust and water molecules.
      • Less solar radiation reaches polar regions.
    • Greenhouse effect:
      • The greenhouse effect is beneficial.
      • Without it, Earth's average global temperature would be -18 degrees Celsius.
    • Solar radiation budget:
      • Approximately 50% of the sun's energy reaches Earth's surface at any given time.
      • The solar radiation budget shows what happens to solar radiation after reaching Earth.
    • Differential heating:
      • Land and water bodies absorb and release solar energy at different rates.
      • Land heats up faster than water but also cools down faster.
      • This difference creates different climate types (continental and maritime).
    • Ocean currents:
      • Warm ocean currents increase humidity and precipitation.
      • Cold currents decrease humidity and precipitation.
    • Air masses:
      • Large bodies of air that have similar properties (moisture, pressure, temperature).
      • They can influence weather systems
    • Fronts:
      • Boundaries of different air masses.
      • The degree of difference between the air masses determines the intensity of the storm, while speed determines the length of the storm.
    • Cold and Warm fronts:
      • Cold fronts are characterized by violent, short, heavy showers.
      • Warm fronts are characterized by gentle and longer-lasting precipitation.

    Altitude and Climate

    • Altitude affects climate through adiabatic cooling and warming.
      • Rising air cools as it expands (adiabatic cooling).
      • Sinking air warms as it is compressed (adiabatic warming).

    Mountain Influences

    • Mountains influence climate in two ways:
      • Blocking air masses, resulting in climate isolation.
      • Modifying air masses that cross them.

    Orographic Precipitation

    • Orographic precipitation is related to mountains forcing air to rise, where moisture condenses to form clouds and precipitation.

    Pressure Belts and Winds

    • High pressure systems are associated with cool, descending, clear air.
    • Low pressure systems are associated with warm, moist ascending air.
    • Global pressure belts (Highs and Lows), and their associated winds, influence weather patterns on Earth.

    Deserts

    • Many deserts are located near 30-degree latitude, where high-pressure zones create descending air, preventing rainfall.

    El Niño

    • El Niño is an event that involves a bulge of warm water moving across the Pacific Ocean.
    • It leads to changes in air pressure and weather patterns worldwide.
    • It can cause significant changes in weather conditions, such as flooding or drought.

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    Description

    This quiz reviews Unit 2 on Weather and Climate, covering key factors that affect climate, Earth's orbit and its impact on seasons, the greenhouse effect, and the solar radiation budget. Test your knowledge on how Earth's position and characteristics influence our climate and weather patterns.

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