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Geog. 1710 Exam 2 (Ch. 6)
Ch. 6 Review Questions
32
Science
Undergraduate 1
10/22/2012

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Term
General circulation of the atmosphere refers to:
Definition
Primary circulation
Term
Migratory high and low pressure systems refer to:
Definition
Secondary circulation
Term
Land-sea breezes refer to:
Definition
Tertiary circulation
Term
Air flow is initiated by the...
Definition
pressure gradient force
Term
The instrument used to measure wind speed is...
Definition
an anemometer
Term
Normal sea level pressure has a value of:
Definition
1013.2 millibars or 29.92 inches of mercury in a barometer
Term
If the mercury in a barometer RISES, then...
Definition
the air pressure has increased.
Term
Barometers use _______ because...
Definition
Mercury; it weighs more than water
Term
Describe the pressure gradient force.
Definition
It drives air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure.
Term
Define isobar.
Definition
An isoline of equal pressure plotted on a weather map.
Term
Air flows _____ a surface with high pressure because the density of the air in the high pressure zone is _____ than that of the surrounding air.
Definition
out of; more dense
Term
If Earth did not rotate, air would flow...
Definition
perpendicular to the isobars, i.e. straight across the isobars
Term
The closer the spacing of the isobars, the _____ the wind blows.
Definition
faster
Term
The Coriolis force...
Definition
causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
The Coriolis force is zero along the equator, increasing to maximum at the poles.
Definition
True
Term
In the absence of friction, the combined effect of the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force produces...
Definition
geostrophic winds at altitude above the ground.
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
Relative to air circulation, cyclones circulate clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Definition
True
Term
The inter tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is characterized by...
Definition
convergence and uplift of warm surface air.
Term
Trade winds are...
Definition
winds that blow predominantly from the northeast and the southeast.
Term
The Aleutian low and Icelandic low are...
Definition
strongest during the winter months because the ocean temperatures are warner than land temperatures at the same latitude.
Term
The western side of subtropical high pressure cells tend to be...
Definition
warm, moist, and unstable.
Term
The polar high pressure cells...
Definition
produce the weak, variable polar easterlies.
Term
What causes land-sea breezes?
Definition
Onshore (toward the land) air flows that develop in the afternoon as the land heats faster than neighboring water surfaces
Term
What causes mountain-valley breezes?
Definition
Warm air rising upslope during the day and cooler air descending the slopes at night
Term
A monsoon climate is characterized by ______ summers and _____ winters.
Definition
wet; dry
Term
What produces ocean currents? (2)
Definition
1) the frictional drag of winds
2) the Coriolis force and water density differences
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
The forces that control the wind include gravity, the pressure gradient force, Coriolis force, and friction force.
Definition
True
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
A line connecting points of equal pressure on a weather map is called an isobar.
Definition
True
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
An area of high pressure circulates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and is called an anticyclone.
Definition
False
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
Subtropical high-pressure systems generate both the trade winds and the westerlies.
Definition
True
Term
TRUE/FALSE?
Ocean currents play a relatively small role in regulating climate.
Definition
False
Term
The horizontal motion of air across Earth's surface is called ____. Wind speed is measured with an _________ while wind direction with a _____ _____.
Definition
wind; anemometer; wind vane
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