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Questions and Answers
Which ocean current is classified as a warm current?
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.
Cold ocean currents can contribute to increased humidity in coastal regions.
False (B)
Define an air mass and its significance in climate.
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.
When a warm air mass rises, it ___, leading to lower temperatures.
Match the following air mass types with their characteristics:
Match the following air mass types with their characteristics:
What phenomenon describes rainfall caused by mountains forcing air masses to condense?
What phenomenon describes rainfall caused by mountains forcing air masses to condense?
Adiabatic warming occurs as air rises and expands.
Adiabatic warming occurs as air rises and expands.
Explain how altitude influences climate using the terms adiabatic cooling and adiabatic warming.
Explain how altitude influences climate using the terms adiabatic cooling and adiabatic warming.
What is the primary effect of a greater angle of incidence on solar radiation?
What is the primary effect of a greater angle of incidence on solar radiation?
The greenhouse effect is responsible for raising the average global temperature to 18 degrees Celsius.
The greenhouse effect is responsible for raising the average global temperature to 18 degrees Celsius.
What is the solar radiation budget?
What is the solar radiation budget?
The two general types of climate created by differential heating of land and water bodies are __________ and __________.
The two general types of climate created by differential heating of land and water bodies are __________ and __________.
Match the type of climate with its corresponding temperature and precipitation characteristics:
Match the type of climate with its corresponding temperature and precipitation characteristics:
What is the main reason why less solar radiation reaches polar regions?
What is the main reason why less solar radiation reaches polar regions?
Cold ocean currents generally raise the temperatures of the land masses they pass by.
Cold ocean currents generally raise the temperatures of the land masses they pass by.
How do land and water bodies differ in their absorption and release of heat?
How do land and water bodies differ in their absorption and release of heat?
What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR)?
What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR)?
Low pressure systems are associated with descending, cool air.
Low pressure systems are associated with descending, cool air.
What is meant by a convection current?
What is meant by a convection current?
The wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR) is ________ °C per 100m due to the effect of condensation.
The wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR) is ________ °C per 100m due to the effect of condensation.
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
At approximately what latitude are many of the world's deserts found due to high pressure systems?
At approximately what latitude are many of the world's deserts found due to high pressure systems?
The Coriolis effect causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to bend to the left.
The Coriolis effect causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to bend to the left.
What causes the formation of a low pressure system?
What causes the formation of a low pressure system?
Which of the following currents are classified as warm currents?
Which of the following currents are classified as warm currents?
Cold ocean currents increase humidity and lead to precipitation.
Cold ocean currents increase humidity and lead to precipitation.
What happens to air as it rises and expands?
What happens to air as it rises and expands?
A _______ is a boundary zone that develops when two unlike air masses meet.
A _______ is a boundary zone that develops when two unlike air masses meet.
Match the type of air mass with its characteristic:
Match the type of air mass with its characteristic:
What is orographic precipitation?
What is orographic precipitation?
Describe one way mountains influence climate.
Describe one way mountains influence climate.
Adiabatic warming occurs as air masses rise and cool down.
Adiabatic warming occurs as air masses rise and cool down.
Which factor is NOT one of the six primary factors affecting climate?
Which factor is NOT one of the six primary factors affecting climate?
The greenhouse effect is a negative phenomenon for Earth's climate.
The greenhouse effect is a negative phenomenon for Earth's climate.
What is the average global temperature without the greenhouse effect?
What is the average global temperature without the greenhouse effect?
Match the following climate characteristics to their corresponding types of climate:
Match the following climate characteristics to their corresponding types of climate:
What is meant by the term 'angle of incidence' in relation to climate?
What is meant by the term 'angle of incidence' in relation to climate?
Cold ocean currents tend to warm the land masses they pass by.
Cold ocean currents tend to warm the land masses they pass by.
Explain why a greater angle of incidence results in less solar radiation reaching polar regions.
Explain why a greater angle of incidence results in less solar radiation reaching polar regions.
Low pressure systems are associated with cool, dry air descending from above.
Low pressure systems are associated with cool, dry air descending from above.
What effect does condensation have on the wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR)?
What effect does condensation have on the wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR)?
An area of high pressure is associated with _____ air and typically leads to ______ weather.
An area of high pressure is associated with _____ air and typically leads to ______ weather.
Match the following types of pressure systems with their characteristics:
Match the following types of pressure systems with their characteristics:
Where are many of the world's deserts typically found?
Where are many of the world's deserts typically found?
Isobars are analogous to contour lines in topography as they connect areas of equal pressure.
Isobars are analogous to contour lines in topography as they connect areas of equal pressure.
What causes Santa Ana winds?
What causes Santa Ana winds?
Flashcards
Warm Ocean Currents
Warm Ocean Currents
Ocean currents that bring heat and moisture to coastal areas, leading to humid and rainy climates.
Cold Ocean Currents
Cold Ocean Currents
Ocean currents that pull moisture out of coastal areas, leading to dry conditions.
Air Mass
Air Mass
A large body of air with consistent temperature, moisture, and pressure.
Air Mass Influence on Climate
Air Mass Influence on Climate
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Front
Front
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Orographic Precipitation
Orographic Precipitation
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Adiabatic Cooling
Adiabatic Cooling
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Adiabatic Warming
Adiabatic Warming
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Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)
Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)
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Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR)
Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR)
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High Pressure System
High Pressure System
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Low Pressure System
Low Pressure System
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Isobars vs. Contour Lines
Isobars vs. Contour Lines
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Convection Currents
Convection Currents
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Global Pressure Belts
Global Pressure Belts
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Why Deserts are at 30° Latitude
Why Deserts are at 30° Latitude
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Factors affecting climate
Factors affecting climate
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Earth's orbit and climate
Earth's orbit and climate
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Angle of incidence
Angle of incidence
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Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse effect
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Solar radiation budget
Solar radiation budget
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Differential heating
Differential heating
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Continental climate
Continental climate
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Maritime climate
Maritime climate
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Earth's Tilt and Seasons
Earth's Tilt and Seasons
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Equinox and Solstice
Equinox and Solstice
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Isobars
Isobars
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What creates a low pressure system?
What creates a low pressure system?
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Why are many deserts found at ~30 degrees latitude?
Why are many deserts found at ~30 degrees latitude?
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Ocean Currents and Climate
Ocean Currents and Climate
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What are the four ocean currents that influence North America's climate?
What are the four ocean currents that influence North America's climate?
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What is an air mass?
What is an air mass?
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Why are air masses important to climate?
Why are air masses important to climate?
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What is a front?
What is a front?
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What determines the weather at a front?
What determines the weather at a front?
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What is adiabatic cooling?
What is adiabatic cooling?
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What is adiabatic warming?
What is adiabatic warming?
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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.
