Circulation of Earth's Atmosphere and Water

Based on this image, where are deserts and other dry climates most likely to be located?

• near the subtropical jet

• near the equator

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following strongly affects the movement of air masses along the Earth's surface?

• differences in air pressure

• differences in carbon dioxide content

• the Earth's rotation

• differences in nitrogen content

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Based on the information in the diagram, how does the Sun cause wind to blow from the lake toward the land during the day?

• The Sun spends different amounts of time heating the land and the lake, keeping air pressures different.

• The Sun spends equal amounts of time heating the land and the lake, keeping air pressures the same.

• Uneven heating by the Sun creates pressure differences between the air over the land and the air over the lake.

• Equal heating by the Sun keeps pressures the same between the air over the land and the air over the lake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Global winds are directly caused by the Earth's rotation and

• uneven precipitation rates.

• uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

• the Moon's phases.

• the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The lower atmosphere is mostly warmed by radiated heat from Earth's surface. However, water heats up and cools down more slowly than land. Knowing this, which of the following statements is most likely true?

• On a cloudy day, the air over a southern section of the ocean will be warmer than the air over a northern section of the ocean.

• On a sunny day, the air over a piece of land will be cooler than the air over a bordering lake.

• On a sunny day, the air over a lake will be cooler than the air over the bordering land.

• On a cloudy day, the air over a northern section of the ocean will be warmer than the air over a southern section of the ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Sunlight hits the Earth at an angle. As a result of the tilt of the Earth, some areas of the Earth receive more direct sunlight than others, which means they receive more solar energy. Which statement correctly describes how solar energy changes as latitude changes?

• Lower latitudes receive more solar energy than higher latitudes.

• • The poles receive the most solar energy of all places on the Earth.

• • The equator receives the least solar energy compared to any other latitude.

• • Oceans and lakes receive more solar energy than land masses.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Look at the diagram shown above. What is most likely true about weather in this area?

• The windward side of the mountains receives more rain than the leeward side.

• The mountains receive less precipitation than the windward and leeward sides.

• Very little precipitation from the ocean ever reaches the windward coastline.

• The leeward side of the mountains receives more rain than the windward side.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Convection currents, which affect weather and climate, are created by

• erosion of ocean beaches.

• mining of the seafloor.

• the uneven heating of the Earth.

• slow, constant tectonic movement.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The map below shows major ocean currents in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. In general, currents flowing toward the Equator bring cooler waters to some regions, while currents flowing away from the Equator bring warmer waters to other regions. Judging from the map, which region probably has cooler summers than it would without the effect of a nearby ocean current?

• • the U.S. East Coast

• • the U.S. West Coast

• • the Central U.S.

• • the British Isles

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes the clockwise rotation of the ocean currents shown?

• The Coriolis effect

• Wind patterns

• Water temperature differences

• Salinity variations

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6