Jet Streams Quiz

What is the typical altitude of the jet stream?

• 1-3 miles

• 5-7 miles

• 10-15 miles

• 20-30 miles

Answer explanation

The jet stream typically exists at altitudes of 10-15 miles above the Earth's surface. This is where strong winds flow in narrow bands, influencing weather patterns.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Jet streams are strongest during:

• Summer

• Winter

• Fall

• Spring

Answer explanation

Jet streams are strongest during winter due to the significant temperature differences between polar and tropical air masses, which enhance their speed. This phenomenon is less pronounced in summer when temperatures are more uniform.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What happens when warm air moves further north than usual?

• The jet stream remains straight

• The jet stream buckles

• The jet stream disappears

• The temperature decreases

Answer explanation

When warm air moves north, it can disrupt the usual flow of the jet stream, causing it to buckle. This buckling leads to changes in weather patterns, unlike remaining straight or disappearing.

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What drives the movement of jet streams?

• Earth's rotation

• Ocean tides

• Solar flares

• Volcanic activity

Answer explanation

Jet streams are primarily driven by Earth's rotation, which creates the Coriolis effect, influencing wind patterns at high altitudes. Other factors like temperature differences also play a role, but Earth's rotation is the main driver.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Fill in the blank: Jet streams are strongest during ______.

• Summer

• Winter

• Fall

• Spring

Answer explanation

Jet streams are strongest during winter due to the significant temperature differences between the polar and tropical regions, which enhance their speed. This phenomenon is less pronounced in summer when temperatures are more uniform.

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Fill in the blank: A low-pressure system usually ______ air downward.

• Pushes

• Pulls

• Lifts

• Circulates

Answer explanation

A low-pressure system typically lifts air upward, creating an area of lower pressure at the surface. This lifting action is essential for cloud formation and precipitation, making 'lifts' the correct choice.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is 'biodiversity'?

• The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat

• A type of ecosystem

• A weather pattern

• A kind of rock.

Answer explanation

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. It encompasses the different species and their interactions, making the first choice the correct definition.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What is the name given to the high-speed winds found about 10 km (6 miles) above Earth's surface? They typically flow at 125 to 250 miles per hour!

Answer explanation

The high-speed winds found about 10 km above Earth's surface are called the jet stream. They can flow at speeds of 125 to 250 miles per hour, making them a significant feature of the atmosphere.

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What is true about the jet stream?

• it is warm water that moves along the Atlantic coast of North America

• it is air moving across North America from west to east and sometimes north to south

• it is air moving across North America from east to west and sometimes north to south

• it is cold warm water that moves along the Pacific coast of North America

Answer explanation

The jet stream is a fast-flowing air current that primarily moves from west to east across North America, with variations that can cause it to shift north or south. This makes the second answer choice correct.

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Which best describes a characteristic of the jet stream?

• It forms a boundary between a cold air mass and a warm air mass.

• It creates the high winds around the eye of a hurricane.

• It forces the hot air along the equator to rise to areas in North

  America.

• It causes high pressure air masses to rotate clockwise.

Answer explanation

The jet stream is a fast-flowing air current that forms a boundary between cold and warm air masses, influencing weather patterns. This characteristic distinguishes it from the other options, which do not accurately describe the jet stream.

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