Chapter 6

Question 1

Cyclones and anticyclones

Answer 1

Large scale wind vortexes due to Coriolis and pressure-gradient effects.

Question 2

Cyclone

Answer 2

A low-pressure system has rising are and converging surface winds that spiral inward, counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere

Question 3

Anticyclone

Answer 3

A high-pressure system has descending air and diverging surface winds that spiral out clockwise in the northern hemisphere, counter clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Question 4

Sea breezes

Answer 4

Result from local pressure gradients. During day land heats faster than the sea, creating low pressure and causing air to rise. See breeze blows toward land.

Question 5

Land breezes

Answer 5

At night, land cools faster than the sea, leaving the sea warmer, creating a zone of low pressure and causing air to rise. Land breeze blows toward the sea.

Question 6

Valley wind

Answer 6

Warm air rises up mountain sides.

Question 7

Mountain wind

Answer 7

Warm air loses heat as it rises, and further cooling at night results in a return air flow from high ground to low.

Question 8

Katabatic winds

Answer 8

Intense form of mountain wind that occurs when very cold, dense air formed over a glacier or mountain range flows down into lower ground.

Question 9

Orographic winds

Answer 9

Characteristic wind patterns associated with mountains.

Question 10

Chinooks

Answer 10

Occur when regional flow forces west-to-east flowing air over the Rocky Mountains. Descending air warms up again but is very dry.

Question 11

Sandstorms and dust storms

Answer 11

suspended sediment held up by powerful winds.

Question 12

Clouds

Answer 12

Visible aerosols consisting of liquid water droplets, ice particles or a mixture of the two, formed when moist air is cooled below its dew point. Typically form when air rises.

Question 13

Cirrus clouds

Answer 13

Wispy, high altitude clouds that typically form above 6 km up to the tropopause.

Question 14

Cumulus clouds

Answer 14

Water-droplet clouds that have flat bases and domed tops. Rising air that undergoes adiabatic cooling and generally form at 1 to 2 km, but sometimes 6 km.

Question 15

Cumulonimbus clouds

Answer 15

Lightning is common. May spread out as an anvil and rise to the tropopause.

Question 16

Altocumulus clouds

Answer 16

Variant that forms at higher altitudes and generally broader and less tall than cumulus clouds.

Question 17

Cirrocumulus clouds

Answer 17

Very high clouds, made of ice particles and have a clumped appearance

Question 18

Stratus clouds

Answer 18

Form horizontal extensive flat layers, altitudes less then 2 km. Composed of water droplets and are typical of areas where warm air spreads laterally, and rising above cold air

Question 19

Nimbostratus

Answer 19

Stratus that is actively producing steady rain or snow.

Question 20

Thunderstorms

Answer 20

Form in warm moist air masses, during day times heating. Density/frontal lifting leads to condensation, which releases latent heat. High winds are drawn into the storm. Freezing of supercooled water can produce hail. Strong air currents cause ionization of air molecules. Electrical discharge is lightning.

Question 21

Tornadoes

Answer 21

Initiated in spiral updrafts and formed in thunderstorms.

Question 22

Tropical cyclone

Answer 22

forms just outside the ITCZ at 5-10 degree north or south. Requires warm moist air over 26 degrees C., condensation to supply latent heat for continued density lifting and the Coriolis effect to drive rotation.

Question 23

Huricanes

Answer 23

Cyclones in the Atlantic and east Pacific

Question 24

Typhoons

Answer 24

Cyclones in the west Pacific and north Indian oceans.

Question 25

Monsoons

Answer 25

Oscillations between very rainy and very dry seasons that affect parts of the world near the ITCZ.