Unit 2: Earth's Atmosphere and Weather

Question 1

Air Mass

Answer 1

A large body of air that has uniform properties.
The two main properties of an air mass is its moisture content (moist or dry) and temperature (hot or cold).
Air masses have the same properties as the area they form over. For example, an air mass with a lot of moisture has formed over water and an air mass that is dry has formed over land.

Question 2

Air Mass Classification

Answer 2

Involves two letters
The first letter describes the air masses moisture content.
c for Continental (dry and formed over land)and m for Maritime (moist and formed over water)
The second letter describes the temperature of the air mass
P for Polar, T for Tropical, A for Arctic, M for Monsoon, E for Equatorial

Question 3

Air Mass Modification

Answer 3

The exchange of heat or moisture with the surface over which an air mass travels.
As an air mass moves it acquires some of the characteristics (moisture/temperature) of the surface beneath it.

Question 4

What two air masses influence North America’s weather the most?

Answer 4

Weather in North Carolina is influenced by Continental Polar (cP) and Maritime Tropical (mT) air masses.

Question 5

Front

Answer 5

The border between two air masses. Most weather occurs along fronts.

Question 6

Warm Front

Answer 6

Warm air rides up over a cold, dense air mass and displaces cooler air.
It has a shallow leading edge, warm temperatures, and creates light perciptiation over a large area for an extended period of time.
Warm fronts are symbolized by the color red and semicircles.

Question 7

Meteorolgy

Answer 7

The study of the atmosphere

Question 8

Weather

Answer 8

The current state of the atmosphere

Question 9

Climate

Answer 9

The average weather over a long period of time (usually over the course of 30 years or more)

Question 10

Source Regions

Answer 10

The region over which an air mass forms

Question 11

Trade Winds