Question 1

The Siberian high is caused by __________.
A)heating of the Eurasian landmass
B)the polar high
C)cooling of the Eurasian landmass
D)the subtropical high

Accepted Answer

The Siberian high is caused by the cooling of the Eurasian landmass. As the land cools during the winter months, cold air masses form and create a high-pressure system over Siberia, leading to the Siberian high.

Question 2

Which is best characterized as warm and rainy?
A)ITCZ
B)subtropical high
C)subpolar low
D)polar high

Accepted Answer

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a region of warm, moist air that typically produces heavy rainfall. It is located near the equator and is associated with the convergence of trade winds from the two hemispheres.

Question 3

A(n) __________ measures both wind speed and wind direction.
A)aerovane
B)anemometer
C)wind vane
D)altimeter

Accepted Answer

An aerovane is an instrument that combines both an anemometer (which measures wind speed) and a wind vane (which measures wind direction) into a single device.

Question 4

-Referring to the figure, what is the main control of precipitation for the equator?
A)ITCZ
B)subtropical high
C)subpolar low
D)polar high

Accepted Answer

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is the main control of precipitation at the equator, as it is a region where trade winds from both hemispheres meet, leading to upward motion and condensation that results in high precipitation levels.

Question 5

A knot is equal to __________ kilometers per hour.
A)1.86
B)2
C)2.5
D)3

Accepted Answer

A knot is equal to 1.86 kilometers per hour.

Question 6

What is Earth's average sea level air pressure in millibars?
A)963 mb
B)1,013 mb
C)1,065 mb
D)1,083 mb

Accepted Answer

The average sea level air pressure on Earth is 1,013 millibars (mb) or 101.3 kilopascals (kPa). This is often used as a standard atmospheric pressure measurement in weather reports and aviation. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 7

A(n) __________ measures wind speed only.
A)aerovane
B)anemometer
C)wind vane
D)altimeter

Accepted Answer

An anemometer is a device that measures wind speed only.

Question 8

Southeastern Africa is likely to experience __________ from El Niño.
A)warm
B)wet and cool
C)dry
D)dry and warm

Accepted Answer

El Niño is a climate pattern that causes warmer than normal ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. This can lead to changes in weather patterns around the world, including droughts in Southeastern Africa.

Question 9

The United States has the goal of meeting __________ of electrical demand through wind power by 2030.
A)10%
B)20%
C)30%
D)40%

Accepted Answer

The United States has set a goal of meeting 20% of its electrical demand through wind power by 2030. This ambitious target reflects the country's commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Question 10

The global pressure belt called the __________ is found centered on about 90 degrees north and south.
A)ITCZ
B)subtropical high
C)subpolar low
D)polar high

Accepted Answer

The global pressure belt found centered on about 90 degrees north and south is the polar high, which is a region of high pressure and cold, dense air that forms near the poles.

Question 11

Which location has the strongest Coriolis deflection?
A)Panama
B)Texas
C)North Dakota
D)the Yukon Territory

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis effect increases with latitude, meaning locations closer to the poles experience stronger Coriolis deflection. The Yukon Territory, being the farthest north among the options, would experience the strongest Coriolis deflection.

Question 12

Between 0 and 30 degrees north latitude the __________ occur.
A)northeasterly trade winds
B)southeasterly trade winds
C)westerlies
D)polar easterlies

Accepted Answer

Northeasterly trade winds occur between 0 and 30 degrees north latitude.

Question 13

Which is best characterized as cold and dry?
A)ITCZ
B)subtropical high
C)subpolar low
D)polar high

Accepted Answer

Polar highs are characterized by cold and dry air masses that form above the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland. The air masses are also relatively stable, meaning they produce little precipitation and are associated with clear skies.

Question 14

Which wind system would assist with sailing from Mexico to Vietnam?
A)the trade winds
B)the westerlies
C)the horse latitudes
D)the polar easterlies

Accepted Answer

The trade winds are consistent winds that blow from east to west and are located in the tropics between 30 degrees north and south of the equator. These winds would be beneficial for sailing from Mexico to Vietnam as they would provide a consistent tailwind for the journey.

Question 15

Indonesia is likely to experience __________ from El Niño.
A)warm
B)wet and warm
C)dry
D)dry and warm

Accepted Answer

El Niño typically causes Indonesia to experience drier and warmer conditions due to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns.

Question 16

Katabatic winds are also called __________.
A)Santa Ana winds
B)foehn winds
C)gravity winds
D)monsoon winds

Accepted Answer

Katabatic winds are also known as gravity winds because they are driven by the force of gravity as cold, dense air flows downhill.

Question 17

Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?
A)thermometer
B)barometer
C)altimeter
D)anemometer

Accepted Answer

A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, while a thermometer measures temperature, an altimeter measures altitude, and an anemometer measures wind speed.

Question 18

By 2020 about __________ of the world's energy supply will come from wind.
A)10%
B)20%
C)30%
D)40%

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, wind energy did not account for 20%, 30%, or 40% of the world's energy supply by 2020. Instead, it contributed a smaller fraction, closer to 10%. The growth of wind energy has been significant, but it has not reached these higher percentages of the total global energy supply by 2020.

Question 19

What is the official highest air pressure ever recorded?
A)963 mb
B)1,013 mb
C)1,065 mb
D)1,083 mb

Accepted Answer

The highest air pressure ever recorded was 1,083 mb in Agata, Russia on December 31, 1968.

Question 20

The Aleutian low semipermanent pressure system is part of the __________.
A)ITCZ
B)subtropical high
C)subpolar low
D)polar high

Accepted Answer

The Aleutian low is a semi-permanent low-pressure system located in the northern Pacific Ocean, between Alaska and Russia, which is characteristic of the subpolar low-pressure belt. It is not part of the ITCZ, subtropical high, or polar high-pressure systems.

Quiz 5: Atmospheric Circulation and Wind Systems

The Siberian high is caused by __________.

Which is best characterized as warm and rainy?

A(n) __________ measures both wind speed and wind direction.

-Referring to the figure, what is the main control of precipitation for the equator?

A knot is equal to __________ kilometers per hour.

What is Earth's average sea level air pressure in millibars?

A(n) __________ measures wind speed only.

Southeastern Africa is likely to experience __________ from El Niño.

The United States has the goal of meeting __________ of electrical demand through wind power by 2030.

The global pressure belt called the __________ is found centered on about 90 degrees north and south.

Which location has the strongest Coriolis deflection?

Between 0 and 30 degrees north latitude the __________ occur.

Which is best characterized as cold and dry?

Which wind system would assist with sailing from Mexico to Vietnam?

Indonesia is likely to experience __________ from El Niño.

Katabatic winds are also called __________.

Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?

By 2020 about __________ of the world's energy supply will come from wind.

What is the official highest air pressure ever recorded?

The Aleutian low semipermanent pressure system is part of the __________.