GEOG220 Exam 2

How much of Earth's surface water exists in the oceans? -Almost none -1/4 -1/2 -3/4 -Almost all

Which ocean is Earth's largest?

Where is most of Earth's freshwater found? -as ice at Earth's surface -as liquid below Earth's surface -as liquid at Earth's surface -as ice below Earth's surface

What does the hydrologic cycle describe?

How does water get from the oceans onto land?

What would happen to atmospheric water if Earth were mostly covered with land? The atmosphere would contain... -less water. -colder water. -more water. -warmer water.

What would happen to the oceans if surface runoff and groundwater flow were reduced (for example, by the growth of ice sheets during an ice age)? -The oceans would become bigger. -The oceans would stay the same size. -The oceans would become smaller.

Which of the following requires the GREATEST RELEASE of latent heat energy into the atmosphere? -melting -freezing -evaporation -condensation

As liquid water is evaporated into the atmosphere, heat energy is: -released by the evaporating water. -absorbed by the evaporating water. -absorbed by the surrounding air. -given off by the water vapor. -absorbed by the remaining liquid.

Frost that forms on cold glass is created by the process of: -sublimation. -transpiration. -freezing. -deposition.

Water vapor constitutes about this much of the atmosphere by volume. -0-4 percent -4-12 percent -0-12 percent -0-100 percent -4-25 percent

mass of water vapor (g) / mass of dry air (kg) is the humidity measure of.... -the mixing ratio. -relative humidity. -vapor pressure. -absolute humidity.

mass of water vapor (g) / volume of air (m^3) is the humidity measure of.... -the mixing ratio. -relative humidity. -vapor pressure. -absolute humidity.

If the mass of dry air is 2 kg, the mass of water vapor is 10 g, and the volume of a parcel is 1 m^3, what is the mixing ratio of the parcel? What would the mixing ratio be if the volume were to double>

The capacity of the air to hold water vapor: -increases with an increase in pressure. -increases with an increase in temperature. -decreases with an increase in temperature. -increases with a decrease in temperature.

Vapor pressure is defined as _________. -the part of the total atmospheric pressure exerted by water vapor -the mass of water vapor in a unit of air compared to the remaining mass of dry air -the temperature at which the air becomes saturated -the part of the total atmospheric pressure exerted by water vapor when the air is saturated -the mass of water vapor in a given volume of air

True or False: If the temperature remains unchanged and the mixing ratio drops, the relative humidity will increase.

What are the only two ways to change the relative humidity?

If the temperature increases and the amount of water vapor in the air remains unchanged, how has the RH (relative humidity) changed?

Relative humidity indicates the: -chance of cloud formation. -nearness to saturation for the air. -actual amount of water in the air. -chance for evaporation of water. -probability of precipitation.

If the air temperature remains constant, evaporating water into the air will ________ the dew point and ________ the relative humidity. -increase, decrease -decrease, increase -decrease, decrease -not change, increase -increase, increase

Relative humidity depends on the water vapor present in the air and the: -altitude. -pressure. -air temperature. -dew point. -latitude.

The air in Great Falls, Montana has a temperature of 5°C and a relative humidity of 50%. On the same afternoon, the air in Palm Springs, California has a temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%. What can be said about the amount of vapor in the air at these two cities? -Palm Springs will have a higher vapor content than Great Falls. -Great Falls and Palm Springs will have the same vapor content. -Great Falls will have a higher vapor content than Palm Springs.

Assume that the actual vapor content of the air remains constant over the course of a day. How does the relative humidity at 2:00 p.m. probably compare to the relative humidity at 5:00 a.m.? -The relative humidity at 2:00 p.m. is lower. -The relative humidity at 2:00 p.m. is higher. -The relative humidity is the same at 2:00 p.m. as at 5:00 a.m.

During a clear, relatively calm day, the relative humidity will tend to ________ from sunrise to early afternoon.

Which of the following is a good explanation for why dew tends to form in the grass at night? -More water vapor is present at night. -Pressure is greatest then. -Temperatures of the objects near the ground often cool below the dew point at night. -The atmosphere cannot form clouds at night.

As the temperature of air is reduced to its dew point, which phase change is most likely to occur?

True or false: Relative humidity gives a measurement of the amount of water in the air, and is usually measured in grams per cubic meter.

During the process of adiabatic cooling, the temperature decreases because:

The most important process of cloud formation in the atmosphere is: -cooling by compression of air. -cooling by release of latent heat of vaporization. -cooling by expansion of air. -radiation cooling.

An adiabatic process is one in which the: -temperature remains constant. -pressure on the air parcel remains constant. -altitude of the air parcel remains constant. -work done is zero. -heat exchanged with the surroundings is zero.

The temperature of rising air parcels ________ as they move upward.

Adiabatic processes are only important for air: -that is saturated. -which is rising or sinking. -that is polluted. -that is stagnant. -masses which remain near the earth's surface

The moist adiabatic rate is different from the dry adiabatic rate because: -a parcel of saturated air weighs less than a parcel of unsaturated air. -latent heat is released inside a parcel of rising saturated air. -saturated air is always unstable. -unsaturated air is always stable. -an unstable air parcel expands more rapidly.

The lifting condensation level is the location of the _______. -first place where rain begins -first place where the parcel becomes colder than the environment -top of the cloud -first place where the air becomes saturated -first place where the parcel becomes warmer than the environment

True or False: When air sinks, it is compressed and warmed.

True or False: For a given mass of rising air, the dry adiabatic rate will always be higher than the wet adiabatic rate.

What condition is required for cloud formation in the atmosphere? -A descending parcel of air reaches Earth's surface. -A rising parcel of air attains a relative humidity of 50 percent. -A rising parcel of air reaches its dew-point temperature. -A rising parcel of air reaches the edge of Earth's atmosphere. -A descending parcel of air reaches its dew-point temperature.

Adiabatic temperature changes result from which of the following conditions in the atmosphere? -when atmospheric temperature change occurs without an accompanying increase or decrease in heat -when atmospheric temperature change results from an increase in heat -when atmospheric temperature change occurs when the relative humidity is 100 percent -when atmospheric temperature change results from a decrease in heat -when atmospheric temperature change happens on a day with 100 percent cloud cover

Which is the most precise cause for the adiabatic cooling of a rising parcel of air in the atmosphere? -an increase in atmospheric pressure -loss of water vapor through precipitation -a decrease in atmospheric pressure -closer proximity to the Sun

An unsaturated parcel of air in Boulder, Colorado, rises from a surface temperature of 24ºC and an elevation of 1655 m to an elevation of 4155 m without reaching the dew-point temperature. What is the temperature of the parcel at this elevation?

An air parcel rises over a mountain and cools adiabatically. Which lifting mechanism has acted on this parcel? -frontal wedging -convergence -convective lifting -orographic lifting

Which type of lifting mechanism results from warm air lifting over cold air? -convergence -convective lifting -frontal wedging -orographic lifting

A convergence of winds near the surface is associated with cloud production because it: -increases the wind speed. -forces the air to rise. -increases the dew point. -creates a vortex or spiral pattern. -increases the lapse rate.

True of False: Rain shadow deserts typically form on the windward sides of mountains.

The vertical motions that occur when the air is unstable are termed: -cyclonic. -convection. -convergence. -geostrophic. -subsidence.

The change in the actual air temperature as you go up into the atmosphere is called: -convergence. -diffusion. -latent heat. -environmental lapse rate. -conversion.

If your environmental lapse rate is 17 C/km on a partly cloudy afternoon, then the atmosphere is said to be: -absolutely unstable. -conditionally unstable. -absolutely stable.

If the environmental lapse rate is less than the wet adiabatic lapse rate, then the atmosphere is: -absolutely stable. -absolutely unstable -conditionally unstable -cannot determine from this information.

A stable atmosphere is one in which: -clouds are forming. -upward vertical motions are resisted. -rising bubbles of air accelerate upward. -temperatures are adiabatic.

If an air parcel is warmer than the surrounding environment, then it will _____. -sink -rise -remain at its current position -rise or sink, depending on the time of day

True or False : The environmental lapse rate is usually the same as the dry adiabatic rate

These two conditions, working together, will make the atmosphere the most unstable. -cool the surface and warm the air aloft -warm the surface and cool the air aloft -warm the surface and warm the air aloft -cool the surface and cool the air aloft

Sinking or subsiding air cannot form clouds due to the: -warming temperatures. -removal of water vapor. -release of latent heat. -loss of particulates. -formation of unstable layers.

True or False : Clear skies are associated with subsidence or sinking motion.

All of the following are necessary ingredients for cloud formation EXCEPT: -adequate water vapor content. -rising, cooling air. -condensation nuclei -warm surface air temperatures.

Hygroscopic nuclei: -repel water and prevent condensation. -can allow cloud droplets to form even if the relative humidity is less than 100%. -are not the most ideal type of condensation nuclei for encouraging droplet growth. -are not generally found in nature.

The most common way for air to be cooled in order that a cloud may form is by: -evaporating water. -sinking and contracting. -emitting radiation. -reflecting radiation. -rising and expanding.

Clouds and precipitation form in the air primarily due to: -release of latent heat. -moisture being added to the air. -excessive numbers of condensation nuclei. -air being cooled as it rises. -absorption of infrared radiation.

The process by which a cloud droplet first forms is: -collision and coalescence. -precipitation. -evaporation. -condensation. -supercooling.

Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to condense. The temperature inside a cloud would therefore be: -below freezing. -about equal to the dew point. -way above the dew point. -just above the dew point.

Clouds, dew and frost all form because air has become saturated. This condition of saturation is usually caused by: -lack of convective mixing. -an abundance of condensation nuclei. -a temperature increase. -the air being cooled. -adding water vapor.

True or False: Water condensation can occur even if the air is not completely saturated.

Clouds are classified and named according to their altitude and: -temperature. -form or appearance. -size of droplets in the cloud. -water content. -amount of precipitation produced.

The cloud form that is best described as sheets or layers that cover much or all of the sky is termed: -cumulus. -alto. -mackerel sky. -stratus. -cirrus.

"Mackerel Sky" is what type of clouds?

High clouds are those that form at altitudes of at least: 65,617 ft (20,000 m). 32,800 ft (10,000 m). 6500 ft (2000 m). 20,000 ft (6000 m).

Which association is not correct? high cloud...cirrus middle cloud...altostratus vertical cloud...cumulus high cloud...nimbostratus

The ________ cloud is confined to the middle height range. cirrus altostratus cirrostratus cumulonimbus nimbostratus

A cumulus cloud is recognized mainly by its: layered structure. darkness or color. obvious vertical dimension. association with high winds. precipitation.

You are flying in an airplane at 36,000 feet above sea level. You see lightning outside your plane window. The cloud that is close by is: altocumulus. cumulus. cumulonimbus. cirrus. stratus.

Thunder, lightning, hail, and occasionally tornadoes are associated with the ________ cloud. cirrostratus altostratus nimbostratus cirrus cumulonimbus

Which cloud type forms in an unstable environment? nimbostratus cirrus stratus cumulonimbus altostratus

Which factor is most significant in the formation of clouds in the atmosphere? -moisture in the atmosphere -ascent of air -dry adiabatic rate -descent of air -lateral movement of air

Contrails produced by jet aircraft engines are most similar to which cloud type? -fog -cumulus -stratus -cumulonimbus -cirrus

At which altitude would you expect to observe the formation of cirrostratus clouds? -high altitudes with bases above 6000 m -ground level -low altitudes between 0 and 2000 m -middle altitudes between 2000 and 6000 m -low altitudes between 1000 and 2000 m

While you are watching the television weather report to prepare for your geology field trip tomorrow afternoon, the weather reporter predicts the development of nimbostratus clouds. What equipment should you bring in addition to your hand lens and hammer? -a warm hat -a flashlight -sunscreen -a raincoat

When warm moist air moves over a cold surface, ________ fog may result. -radiation -upslope -precipitation -steam -advection

Which type of fog occurs during nights when skies are clear and relative humidity is high? -radiation fog -advection fog -evaporation fog -steam fog

When humid air moves up a slope or mountain side, a(n) ________ fog may form. -advection -radiation -upslope -valley

How do evaporation fogs differ from other types of fog? -They only occur when the air is stationary over a surface with a similar temperature. -They are created when water vapor is added to the air. -They are created through adiabatic cooling. -They are created when the air is cooled down to the saturation point.

True or False: Fog is simply a cloud with a base at or near the ground

Supercooled water is water which is: -still liquid at temperatures below 0°C. -part liquid and part solid. -produced from dry ice. -a special form of ice.

Pure water suspended in the atmosphere will freeze at a temperature of: -40°C -10°C 0°C 32°F

The growth of a cloud droplet into a rain drop large enough to fall to Earth in a warm cloud is accomplished primarily through: -hygroscopic action. -evaporation of water in the cloud. -condensation of water vapor. -supercooling of water. -collision and coalescence.

Most of the precipitation that falls in the middle latitudes is formed by: -the Bergeron process. -spontaneous freezing of water droplets in the absence of condensation nuclei. -collision-coalescence. -condensation of water vapor.

The Bergeron process occurs in _____________. -both warm (above freezing) and cold (below freezing) clouds -cold (below freezing) clouds -warm (above freezing) clouds

Freezing rain (ice storm) or sleet occurs when: -both surface and upper air are cold. -the air at the surface is very warm compared to the cloud. -both surface and upper air are warm. -there is a warm layer of air between the cloud and the cold surface.

Which precipitation type forms when snowflakes melt partially then re-freeze before hitting the ground? -snow -hail -freezing rain -rain -sleet

True or False: Freezing rain and sleet are both the same form of precipitation.

True or False: Freezing rain falls as a liquid and freezes once its on the ground.

The cloud droplets in a cloud are formed by water vapor molecules and: -ions. -protons. -other water vapor molecules. -molecules of air. -condensation nuclei.

What type of fog occurs on clear, calm nights when the air near the ground cools faster than the air above the ground? -upslope fog -advection fog -steam fog -precipitation fog -radiation fog

True or False: As an air parcel expands, it does work on the environment

The atmosphere is absolutely unstable when... -The ELR is less than the DALR and the MALR -The ELR is greater than the DALR and the MALR -The ELR is between the DALR and the MALR

Give an example of an environmental lapse rates that would produce an absolutely unstable atmosphere (given MALR = 6 degrees)

True or False: When a parcel of air goes above the LCL it will cool at the DALR

True or False: The amount of water vapor the air can hold increases linearly with the atmospheric temperature

True or False: The atmospheric temperature will always be less than or equal to the dew point

True or False: Relative humidity is an excellent indicator of the amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere