test 4

Question 1

What are the three major factors that influence global weather?

Answer 1

Sun, Earth’s rotation, and water (especially oceans)

Question 2

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

Answer 2

It’s when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun, keeping the planet warm

Question 3

Name some Greenhouse Gases.

Answer 3

CO₂, CH₄ (methane), N₂O (nitrous oxide), water vapor.

Question 4

What is connection in cloud and precipitation formation?

Answer 4

Warm air rises, cools, and condenses to form clouds and precipitation.

Question 5

What drives global air circulation patterns?

Answer 5

Heat from the sun, Earth’s rotation, and the Coriolis Effect.

Question 6

What’s the difference between cold and warm fronts?

Answer 6

Cold front: cold air pushes warm air up (stormy).
Warm front: warm air slides over cold air (steady rain).

Question 7

What are El Niño and La Niña?

Answer 7

El Niño warms the Pacific Ocean; La Niña cools it, affecting global weather.

Question 8

What do ocean currents do?

Answer 8

They move warm and cold water around the globe, influencing climate.

Question 9

What causes Earth’s seasons?

Answer 9

Earth’s tilt on its axis as it orbits the Sun.

Question 10

What causes tornadoes?

Answer 10

a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, causing violent spinning winds

Question 11

What causes hurricanes?

Answer 11

warm ocean water (over 25°C), which fuels rising air and creates low pressure systems that intensify into storms.

Question 12

Why don’t hurricanes hit the west coast of the Americas?

Answer 12

Ocean currents and wind patterns push them westward.

Question 13

Why do hurricanes weaken over land?

Answer 13

They lose their energy source—warm ocean water.

Question 14

What is the size of most hurricanes and the eye?

Answer 14

Hurricane: 300–400 miles wide. Eye: 20–40 miles wide.

Question 15

When is tornado season?

Answer 15

Spring and early summer.

Question 16

How fast do tornadoes move?

Answer 16

30–70 mph across the ground.

Question 17

What is a wall cloud?

Answer 17

A rotating cloud under a thunderstorm—can spawn tornadoes.

Question 18

Why lie in a ditch during a tornado?

Answer 18

It protects from flying debris.

Question 19

What causes most tornado deaths?

Answer 19

Flying debris.

Question 20

Where do Atlantic hurricanes start?

Answer 20

Off West Africa over warm water.

Question 21

Why are coastal populations at high risk?

Answer 21

Many residents are new and unprepared.

Question 22

Where is pressure lowest in a hurricane?

Answer 22

In the eye—can drop below 920 millibars.

Question 23

When is hurricane season?

Answer 23

August–September (oceans are warmest).

Question 24

What causes storm surge?

Answer 24

Low atmospheric preasure and strong hurrican winds

Question 25

What do hurricane winds do to buildings?

Answer 25

Break windows, lift roofs, toss debris.

Question 26

What do hurricane waves do to coasts?

Answer 26

Erode beaches and damage buildings.

Question 27

What’s the effect of a faster-moving hurricane?

Answer 27

Higher storm surge, less rainfall.

Question 28

Where’s worst damage if eye hits Charleston?

Answer 28

Northeast quadrant (north of Charleston).

Question 29

Why is a second hurricane worse?

Answer 29

The first hurricane flattens dunes and saturates ground leading to more flooding.

Question 30

Why does dune height matter?

Answer 30

Low dunes get washed over more easily, leading to more flooding and erosion.

Question 31

Which roof shape is weakest in a hurricane?

Answer 31

Gently sloped roofs facing wind—lift like a wing.

Question 32

Why cover windows/doors before a storm?

Answer 32

They’re the easiest for wind/debris to break through.

Question 33

Why is hurricane prediction tricky?

Answer 33

Paths and strength can change fast.

Question 34

How should you prepare for a hurricane?

Answer 34

Board windows, secure loose items, stock supplies, evacuate if told.