Unit 4: Atmosphere (CvHS)

What will most likely happen if a warm ocean current travels north or south from the equator?

• The current will become warmer, causing it to become more dense and rise.

• The current will become cooler, causing it to become less dense and rise.

• The current will become cooler, causing it to become more dense and sink.

• The current will become warmer, causing it to become less dense and sink.

What phenomenon is MOST likely responsible for the ocean currents' circulation patterns?

• Coriolis effect

• density differences

• the Sun’s tidal effect

• temperature differences

In the centers of North America and Asia, large regions of land have relatively dry climates.

This lack of rainfall results mainly from which factor?

• The centers of these continents have too few lakes and rivers for effective evaporation.

• The centers of these continents receive little heat from sunlight over most of the year.

• The rate of air mass movement over the centers of these continents is relatively low.

• The distance from oceans prevents moist air from reaching the centers of these continents.

Nevada’s annual precipitation averages between 21 and 24 cm. In comparison, Washington

state averages between 96 and 97 cm of precipitation per year. Which of these factors has

the greatest impact on the difference in precipitation between these two states?

• the relative sizes of each state

• the types of industry found in each state

• the location of each state on the continent

• the relative frequency of volcanic activity in each state

Which will cause an increase in runoff and infiltration in an area?

• contouring farmland

• a drought

• digging wells

• excessive rain

In the hydrologic cycle, which process contributes to a decrease in groundwater levels?

• infiltration

• evaporation

• precipitation

• condensation

Why is the ozone content of the stratosphere important to living organisms?

• Ozone absorbs infrared radiation from the Sun.

• Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

• Ozone is necessary to create oxygen for living things.

• Ozone in the atmosphere prevents radiation of heat from Earth.

Auroras occur where Earth’s magnetosphere traps high-energy particles in which region of the atmosphere?

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

A student reads the following statement.

The presence of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere is important to Earth’s ability to

support human life.

How would Earth be different without greenhouse gases in its atmosphere?

• More heat from solar radiation would escape into space.

• More solar radiation would be reflected back into space.

• More solar radiation would penetrate Earth’s crust and mantle.

• More heat from solar radiation would be stored in Earth’s core.

Which is most often a result of a warm air mass moving over a cooler air mass?

• a decrease in wind speed

• a decrease in cloud cover

• an increase in precipitation

• an increase in air pressure