CHAPTER 24 Assessment

Reviewing Content

Choose the letter that best answers the question or completes the statement.

1. The most abundant gas in air is

   1. oxygen.

   2. nitrogen.

   3. carbon dioxide.

   4. hydrogen.

2. Earth's weather occurs primarily in the

   1. thermosphere.

   2. stratosphere.

   3. troposphere.

   4. mesosphere.

3. Wind is caused by differences in

   1. air pressure.

   2. altitude.

   3. humidity.

   4. condensation.

4. The amount of water vapor in the air is called

   1. dew.

   2. rain.

   3. humidity.

   4. precipitation.

5. A type of cloud that is commonly associated with fair weather is

   1. cumulus.

   2. cumulonimbus.

   3. altostratus.

   4. nimbostratus.

6. When the temperature equals the dew point, the relative humidity is

   1. zero.

   2. about 25%.

   3. about 50%.

   4. 100%.

7. When a warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass, the result is a (an)

   1. cold front.

   2. stationary front.

   3. warm front.

   4. occluded front.

8. Lines connecting areas of equal pressure on a weather map are called

   1. isotherms.

   2. barometers.

   3. isobars.

   4. weather symbols.

9. Generally, climates located farther from the equator have

   1. warmer ocean currents.

   2. lower temperatures.

   3. more rain.

   4. higher relative humidity.

10. A periodic warming of water in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean is called a (an)

    1. monsoon.

    2. jet stream.

    3. global warming.

    4. El Niño.

Understanding Concepts

11. Describe three functions of the atmosphere that make life on Earth possible.

12. How does temperature vary with altitude in the troposphere?

13. Why does Earth have seasons?

14. Describe three ways that the troposphere is heated.

15. Identify the type of front shown on the weather map below. What type of weather will this front likely bring?

    

16. What causes global winds?

17. How does hail form?

18. What is the difference between sleet and freezing rain?

19. What is an air mass, and how do air masses form?

20. What are the major types of air masses that influence the weather in North America?

21. Explain how a warm front forms, and describe the weather that is usually associated with a warm front.

22. What is a stationary front, and how does one form?

23. Why do you hear thunder after you see a bolt of lightning?

24. Decribe two technologies that help meteorologists to forecast the weather.

25. Describe two ways in which oceans affect the climate of coastal areas.

26. What are ice ages, and why do they occur?

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