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Marine Science Ch 8
Ch 8 Review MCs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What causes the solar heating of Earth to have seasonal variations? | tilt of Earth's axis |
| What is true of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)? | it is also called the meteorological equator and doldrums; in the summer it is further north; in the winter it is further south or closer to the equator; has warm, moist surface winds; has seasonal changes where warm air rises; rains a lot |
| What moves the water evaporated from the ocean's surface? | wind |
| How many atmospheric cells are present in each hemisphere? | 3 |
| Extratropical cyclones (nor'easters;northeasters) form between which two types of atmospheric cells? | Polar (easterlies;trade winds) and Ferrel (westerlies; surface winds)? |
| What occurs at the boundaries of circulation cells? | vertical air movement |
| Why is air never completely dry? | the relative abundance of water vapor ensures air is never completely dry |
| What caused the greatest loss of life and property during Hurricane Katrina? | storm surge |
| Why does the heat budget vary with latitude? | angling of the sun at varying latitudes of the Earth |
| Where are the more complex atmospheric cells located? | mid-latitudes |
| Which is not an example of a tropical cyclone? | nor'easter |
| How do seasons affect the surface winds? | northern winter:surface winds shift south northern summer:surface winds shift north |
| What is a cause of atmospheric circulation? | the Coriolis effect |
| If a ship is trying to sell from the eastern United States to Europe, what route would be the most efficient to take? | Going north takes advantage of the westerlies |
| Why are east-west variation patterns more pronounced in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere? | land and water are present in equal amounts |
| Which are the most persistent surface winds? | trade winds or easterlies |
| What causes most of the differences in winds in comparison to normal surface wind directions? | the geographical distribution of landmasses, the different responses of land and ocean to solar heating, and chaotic flow |
| Where do tropical cyclones come from? | a single warm, humid air mass |
| What occurs when air is subjected to less pressure? | it expands (assuming it's at a constant temperature) |
| Where do the most intense summer monsoons occur? | Asia |
| What is not a factor in the amount of light penetrating the ocean? | Are factors: the angle at which it approaches, the sea state (surface turbulence), and the presence of an ice covering or light-colored foam |
| Horse latitudes at sea correspond to ____ on land. | deserts |
| What determines the availability of energy in a tropical cyclone? | warm water |
| Why are there multiple atmospheric cells as air moves from the equator to the poles instead of one single cell? | there are intermediate precipitation events that break up the winds |
| What is the term for a pattern of wind circulation that changes with season? | monsoon |
| What is the residence time of water vapor in the lower atmosphere? | 10 days |
| What made the 2005 hurricane season so unusual? | there were 28 of them, they developed quickly, and they remained strong for a long time |
| What is the name given by sailors to the area where Hadley cells converge? | doldrums |
| What is a storm surge? | a movement of water due to low atmospheric pressure |
| What is the tendency of pausing air masses over land? | taking on the characteristics of the land |