Download Chapter 8 Science Test Review Fill in the Blank A(n) measures wind

Chapter 8 Science Test Review
Fill in the Blank
A(n)_______________ measures wind speed.
A(n)_______________measures air pressure.
A(n)___________________ measures the amount of rain.
A(n) ______________is the average weather conditions over many years.
A(n)________________________is a circular current of air.
A(n) __________________is a large body of air with generally the same temperature and moisture.
A(n)__________________is a boundary between two air masses.
1. anemometer
2. barometer
3. rain gauge
4. climate
5. convection current
6. air mass
7. front
Where are clouds most likely to form?
a. in a rain shadow
b. in rising air
c. in sinking air
d. in high pressure
answer: b
What causes air currents?
f. uneven heating of Earth's surface
g. boundaries between air masses
h. air heated by lightning
i. changes in wind direction
answer: f
What does a capital letter H on a weather map show?
a) a hurricane
b) hot air
c) high pressure
d) heavy rain
answer: c
What type of air mass comes from polar ocean areas?
f. cold and dry
g. cold and moist
h. warm and dry
i. warm and moist
answer: g
A forecaster determining the climate of an area would find which of the following most helpful?
a. average yearly precipitation
c. temperature changes in one month
d. the number of fronts in the area last week
answer: a
There are five layers of Earth's atmosphere. Can you name them?
- exosphere
- thermosphere
- mesosphere
- stratosphere
- troposphere
Most weather conditions happen only in the bottom layer, the troposphere. As you go through the five
layers, temperatures and air pressure change. Air pressure decreases as you go up through the
atmosphere.
Different air temperatures over land and water cause the formation of convecton currents.
Winds generally blow from ___________to_________ over the United States due to a huge convection
current over the North American continent and the rotation of Earth.
west to east
Why does precipitation result when warm air is forced up quickly by a cold front?
The warm air contains water vapor. As the warm air rises, it cools and water vapor condenses to form
clouds. Eventually, precipitation falls.
Sometimes the water cycle can lead to severe weather. Severe weather includes thunderstorms,
tornadoes, and hurricanes.
A severe thunderstorm warning means that severe thunderstorms have formed and you should
prepare for them. Get inside as soon as possible.
How do tornadoes form?
For tornadoes to form, layers of wind must blow at different speeds or directions. Between these layers,
a column of air starts spinning like a log rolling on its side. Then, upward winds lift one end of this
spinning column. Downward winds push donwn on the other end.
Why do you think hurricanes can be so large?
Hurricanes get their energy from warm ocean water, and they develop above oceans where there is a
huge volume of water.
Describe how the Gulf Stream influences local weather.
The Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift are large currents that carry warm water northward. The
water warms the winds above it. These winds make northern Europe's climate much warmer than it
woud be otherwise.
Fossils help scientists make assumptions about ancient climates. Imagine if a scientist studying
climates finds a fossil of a fish in the desert. What can the scientist learn from this fossil?
A scientist would probably assume that the desert had a wet climate at one time.
Short Reponse Answers
Describe how convection currents form.(2 points)
When air has different temperatures, convection currents form. The cool air, which is heavier than
warm air, will sink and the warm air will rise. Wind occurs as air moves from an area of high air
pressure to an area of low air pressure.
It is important to know how to deal with severe weather. Explain how you should prepare for a
hurricane. (2 points)
To prepare for a hurricane, you should board up your windows, store food and water, have flashlights
and battery-powered radios available, and store valuables in containers off the ground. During a
hurricane, people should stay inside or move inland.
Generally, weather is caused by the air masses in an area. Four common air masses are: maritime polar
air, continental polar air, maritime tropical air, and continental tropical air. Describe where each air
mass is found and the characteristics of each air mass. (4 points)
Maritime polar air masses form in the ocean near the poles. These air masses are cold and moist.
Continental polar air masses form over land near the poles. These air masses are cold and fairly dry.
Maritime tropical air masses form over tropical oceans or rainforests. These air masses get warm and
very humid. Continental tropical air masses form over large, hot deserts. These air masses are warm
and fairly dry.
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