Download File - Earth Science

Atmosphere Study Guide
1)
Name__________________________________
The atmosphere consists of 78% ____________ and 21% ____________.
2) Match each of the following letters with one of the layers of the atmosphere. Letters may be used more than once, each
layer may have more than answer.
a. Most mass of the atmosphere b. increases temperature with elevation
c. protects us from UV radiation
d. contains auroras
e. make up thermosphere
f. contains ozone layer
g. where weather occurs
h. decreases temperature with elevation
i. closest layer to Earth’s surface
j. outer boundary of atmosphere k. where pollution collects
l. where hydrogen is found
tropo ________
meso ________
exo________
iono________
strato________
3) The transfer of energy from the Sun to the Earth is an example of what type of heat transfer?
4) _______________ is the method of heat transfer that occurs when air contacts Earth’s surface and is heated.
5) Summarize the process of convection using the following words: cold air, warm air, expands, density increases, sinks, rises,
cools.
Temperature increases
Temperature decreases
6)
Density Increases
Pressure Decreases
Density Decreases
Pressure Increases
Match each phrase on the left with two different phrases on the right.
7)
Wind always moves from an area of ________ to _________ pressure.
8) It is 45 degrees in Angier, and 48 degrees in Lillington. Which town’s atmospheric conditions allow for more water to be
present in the air?
9) ________ ________ is the temperature at which air must be cooled to reach saturation, or condensation.
10) ____________ is the most important phase change in driving atmospheric processes, when water vapor becomes a liquid
once more.
11) Put the following in the numbered order in which they occur in cloud formation.
________ coalescence occurs, making larger rain droplets
________ condensation occurs on dust particles, creating clouds
________ warm air rises
________ LCL is reached
________ precipitation occurs, causing a downdraft of air that completes convection cycle
12) Circle the following two characteristics that would allow for the most severe hurricane.
Warm ocean water
cold air masses
warm air masses
cold ocean water
13) Tornadoes and hurricanes have which of the following options in common?
a) Both typically form where air masses meet
b) Both typically form from within high pressure systems
c) Both often begin with thunderstorm formation
14) It is raining today in the Mojave Desert. Am I describing weather or climate and why?
15) An air mass is a large parcel of air that has similar ______________ and _____________.
Air Mass
Temperature? (hot or cold)
Water Content? (moist or
Forms over? (water or land)
dry)
Maritime Polar
Continental Tropical
Continental Polar
Maritime Tropical
16) Complete the above chart by filling in blanks with the words hot, cold, moist, dry, land, water
17) The ____________ effect is caused by the Earth’s rotation and accounts for the global wind systems in our atmosphere.
Objects are deflected to the _____ in the Northern Hemisphere.
18) Label each type of wind system (prevailing westerlies, polar easterlies, trade winds) according to their appropriate range.
Draw arrows in each range indicating the wind direction.
60 degrees
30 degrees
0 degrees
19) A ____________ is the boundary between two air masses.
20) In the column on the left, write the letters representing the phrases on the right that correspond to the appropriate fronts.
Cold
A. warm air moves into
cold air
Stationary
Warm
B. several days of
precipitation
Occluded
C. warm air is forced
violently upward
D. cold air moves into
warm air
E. rapid rate of
condensation
F. creates few clouds and
longer, relatively weak rain
showers
G. creates clouds, and short,
heavy rain and
thunderstorms
H. cold front wraps around a
warm front
I. warm air gently rises over
cold air
J. slower rate of
condensation
21) Draw the map symbols used to indicate each of the four different types of fronts. Be sure to use the correct shapes and
indicate appropriate colors. Draw the cold and warm fronts moving east. Draw the occluded front moving north.
22) Complete the following table.
Low Pressure System
Wind rotation
Counter-clockwise
Air motion
Description of weather
Cyclone or anticyclone?
More or less dense air?
23) What do the isobar lines on a map represent?
High Pressure System
Sinks
24) Area A has isobars that are 0.75 cm apart. Area B has isobars that are 0.25 cm apart.
a. Which area will be having lower wind speeds?
b. Which area will be experiencing more severe weather?
25) a. Which happens first to start off the process of cloud formation, radiation, conduction or convection?
b. Which last step contributes to cloud formation, radiation, convection, or conduction?
21) Draw the map symbols used to indicate each of the four different types of fronts. Be sure to use the correct shapes and
indicate appropriate colors. Draw the cold and warm fronts moving east. Draw the occluded front moving north.
22) Complete the following table.
Low Pressure System
Wind rotation
Counter-clockwise
Air motion
Description of weather
Cyclone or anticyclone?
More or less dense air?
23) What do the isobar lines on a map represent?
High Pressure System
Sinks
24) Area A has isobars that are 0.75 cm apart. Area B has isobars that are 0.25 cm apart.
a. Which area will be having lower wind speeds?
b. Which area will be experiencing more severe weather?
25) a. Which happens first to start off the process of cloud formation, radiation, conduction or convection?
b. Which last step contributes to cloud formation, radiation, convection, or conduction?