Weather and Climate Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the difference between weather and climate?

Weather is determined by the amount of incoming solar radiation, while climate is determined by the amount of outgoing solar radiation.

Weather refers to the average conditions over a long period, while climate refers to the current atmospheric conditions.

Weather and climate are the same thing, but weather is used to describe local conditions while climate refers to global conditions.

Weather refers to the current atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to the average conditions over a long period. (correct)

What is the primary cause of weather variations on Earth?

The uneven distribution of heat energy from the sun. (correct)

The rotation of the Earth on its axis.

The gravitational pull of the moon on the Earth.

The presence of mountains and other landforms.

Which of the following instruments is used to measure wind speed?

Anemometer (correct)

Hygrometer

Barometer

Thermometer

When decoding a station model, what is the first digit in the coded pressure used for?

Representing the overall pressure level relative to sea level. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A station model indicates a coded pressure of 984.7 mb. What is the actual pressure value?

9984.7 mb (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does a Sling Psychrometer or Hygrometer measure in a station model?

Moisture (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is the trend in barometric pressure represented in a station model?

A series of dots indicating the pressure change over the past three hours. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which of these is NOT a factor influencing weather patterns?

The rotation of the Earth about the sun. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors directly affects the temperature of a material?

The specific heat of the material (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of surface properties would result in the fastest heating?

Dark color, rough texture (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the ESRT, which material has a lower specific heat, rocks or water?

Rocks (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between altitude and temperature in the troposphere?

Temperature decreases with increasing altitude (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which weather variable is measured using a barometer?

Pressure (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does warm air affect atmospheric pressure?

Warm air has lower pressure due to its decreased density (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors directly affects atmospheric pressure?

The temperature and density of the air (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the factors that affect atmospheric pressure?

To predict weather patterns and phenomena like storms (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in moisture content affect air pressure?

It decreases the pressure. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the total mass of the components in dry air as presented?

314g (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT affect air pressure?

Wind direction (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the troposphere, what happens to air pressure as altitude increases?

Air pressure decreases. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the interval for isobars connecting equal air pressures?

4.0 mb (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary condition for dew to form?

Air reaching 100% relative humidity (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which variable is NOT commonly associated with the rate of evaporation?

Air pressure (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does a large difference in temperature between the dry and wet bulb thermometers indicate?

Low humidity levels (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is used to measure the wet-bulb depression?

Psychrometer (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the temperature of the wet bulb in a sling psychrometer as water evaporates?

It decreases (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between air temperature and moisture capacity?

Warmer air has a greater capacity to hold moisture. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes absolute humidity?

The actual amount of water vapor present in the air. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What will happen to evaporation rates if the humidity levels are high?

Evaporation decreases with high humidity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What condition is NOT needed for cloud formation?

High levels of absolute humidity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a smaller difference between wet and dry bulb temperatures indicate?

More moisture in the air. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to relative humidity as dew point and air temperature approach each other?

It increases. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is wind direction named?

From the direction it comes from. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What causes clouds to form when air rises?

Cooling and condensation at dew point temperature. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of high pressure areas?

More pushing down on the surface. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Coriolis Effect primarily associated with?

Earth’s rotation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What typically causes local breezes, such as sea and land breezes?

Temperature differences between land and water. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about low pressure is true?

It corresponds to less pushing down. (C) Signup and view all the answers

When humid air rises, what is the process that leads to cloud formation called?

Condensation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Objectives

Differentiate between weather and climate
Decode and code station models
List and describe weather variables

Weather vs. Climate

Weather: "What you get!"—present atmospheric conditions, constantly updated
Climate: "What you expect"—average conditions of an area

What Causes Weather?

Variation in insolation (incoming solar radiation)
Uneven distribution of heat energy across Earth's surface

Station Models

Display weather data from a specific location
Found on Page 13 of the ESRT
Include information about:
- Present weather
- Temperature
- Visibility
- Dew point
- Wind speed and direction
- Barometric pressure and trend
- Precipitation
Symbols represent different weather conditions

Barometric Pressure Conversions

Locate the coded pressure
Use a rule:
- If pressure is less than 1004 add 10 before, if 5 or more add 9 before last digits
- Always place a decimal between last two digits

Instruments to Acquire Station Model Data

Temperature: Thermometer
Dew point: Sling psychrometer or hygrometer
Wind direction: Wind vane
Wind speed: Anemometer
Barometric pressure/trend: Barometer
Precipitation: Rain gauge

Weather Variables (Temperature)

Factors influencing temperature:
- Angle and duration of the sun
- Color and texture of surfaces
- Specific heat
- Altitude

Weather Variables (Pressure)

Pressure: Weight of the atmosphere, measured with a barometer
Factors affecting pressure:
- Temperature and density (warm air is less dense, and therefore has less pressure)
- Moisture content (more moisture = lower pressure)
- Altitude (higher altitude = lower pressure)

Weather Variables (Moisture)

Moisture movement: Water cycle
Factors affecting evaporation:
- Temperature (higher temperature = higher evaporation rate)
- Humidity (higher humidity = lower evaporation rate)
- Wind (higher wind = higher evaporation rate)
- Surface area (larger surface area = higher evaporation rate)
Dew point temperature: Condensation temperature where dew forms, 100% relative humidity
Wet-bulb depression: difference between dry and wet bulb temperatures, related to moisture content
Humidity:
- Absolute humidity: actual amount of water vapor in the air
- Relative humidity: percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature.

Weather Variables (Wind)

Wind direction: Named from the direction it comes FROM
Wind flow: From high pressure to low pressure
Local winds: Sea breezes and land breezes
Regional winds: Affected by the Coriolis effect
Pressure gradient: Close isobars = greater pressure gradient = greater wind speed
Global winds: Affected by the Coriolis effect; air sinks in high pressure areas, air rises in low pressure areas.

Conditions Needed for Cloud Formation

Moisture in the air
Cooling temperature to the dew point
Condensation nuclei (particles for water vapor to condense around)
Surface for condensation to occur

Mapping Air Pressure

Isobars connect areas of equal air pressure (found on Page 13 of the ESRT)
Isobar interval is 4.0 mb

Summary of Weather Variables

Describes the different types of weather variables (Temperature, Pressure, Moisture, and Wind) and how they work together in various conditions, by linking them to specific conditions in terms of measurement and interaction with other elements.

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Description

Test your understanding of the differences between weather and climate in this informative quiz. Dive into the intricacies of station models, weather variables, and the factors that influence weather conditions. Enhance your knowledge about barometric pressure conversions and their relevance in weather data interpretation.