Pressure patterns

Multiple Choice

Lines that are of equal (or constant) pressure and resemble equal-altitude contours that define the hills and valleys on a topographic chart are called ...

• synoptic chart

• meridianal winds

• isobars

• millibars

Multiple Choice

A chart for a particular time that includes such data as wind, weather, temperature, clouds, isobars, and so forth, for a large number of stations is called a weather map, or more frequently ...

• topographic chart

• synoptic chart

• topographic map

• contour map

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of "synopsis"?

• general view

• isobars

• pressure

• introduction

Multiple Choice

Synoptic chart gives a synopsis or general view of the weather conditions over a large area (or the entire globe), including a distribution of pressure, at a given instant time.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Isobars are usually drawn at intervals of ......... millibars (mbs)

• 2

• 4

• 6

• 8

Multiple Choice

On topographic charts, there are mountains, hills, ridges and valleys. Any synoptic chart will show the distribution of pressure in which there are regions of high pressure and low pressure in a similar way

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Pressure gradient is associated with the slope of the ground and the distance over which the pressure changes from one isobar to the next. The steepest (strongest) pressure gradient is

• at any angle between adjacent isobars

• at a right angle to the isobars

Multiple Select

The magnitude of the pressure gradient is measured by the ratio of ... to ...

• wind force

• pressure difference

• wind speed

• distance

Multiple Choice

The pressure gradient is measured in the direction ...

• from low toward high pressure

• from high toward low pressure

Multiple Choice

Wind is simply air in motion.

• True

• False

Fill in the Blanks

Wind is a balance of three forces: ____ force, ____ force, ____ force

Fill in the Blanks

The force at a right angle to the wind (and pulling to the right in the Northern Hemisphere).

Fill in the Blanks

The force opposite to the direction of the wind.

Fill in the Blanks

The force perpendicular to the isobars (acting in the direction from higher toward lower pressure)

Multiple Choice

As a result of all three forces, the wind at the earth's surface must blow ......................, in a direction from higher toward lower pressure.

• at a right angle to the isobars

• parallel to the isobars

• at an angle across the isobars

• a lot

Fill in the Blanks

The angle between the wind direction and the isobar

with increasing friction

Multiple Choice

As we ascend from the earth's surface, the frictional force diminishes and becomes negligible at a height of 3000 feet. At this level, then, the Coriolis force is balanced by the pressure force and the wind blows ....

• at a right angle to the isobars

• at an angle across the isobars

• parallel to the isobars

• at intervals

Fill in the Blanks

Since the frictional force decreases with increasing height, the wind velocity

as we ascend through the atmosphere.

Multiple Choice

The surface wind over land crosses the isobars (from higher toward lower pressure) at an average angle of ___ degrees.

• 15

• 30

Multiple Choice

The surface wind over the water crosses the isobars (from higher toward lower pressure) at an average angle of ___ degrees.

• 15

• 30

Fill in the Blanks

The Baric Wind Law says "If one stands with his back to the wind (in the Northern Hemisphere), low pressure will always be to his ______, and high pressure to his _______. In the Southern Hemisphere, the situation is reversed."

Open Ended

The principal types of pressure patterns (or systems) are the highs and the lows. Give as many synonymous phrases/words/terms as you can for the high.

Open Ended

The principal types of pressure patterns (or systems) are the highs and the lows. Give as many synonymous phrases/words/terms as you can for the low.

Fill in the Blanks

The wind circulation is

around an anticyclone (in the Northern Hemisphere), with the wind crossing the isobars at an angle and blowing from higher toward lower pressure.

Fill in the Blanks

The wind circulation around a low is

(in the Northern Hemisphere), with the wind crossing the isobars at an angle and blowing from higher toward lower pressure.

Multiple Choice

Identify the part(s) of a high:

• trough

• ridge

• col

Multiple Choice

Identify the part(s) of a low:

• trough

• ridge

• col

Multiple Choice

The winds blow clockwise and spiral ________ the centers of anticyclones (in the Northern Hemisphere)

• outward from

• in toward

Multiple Choice

The winds blow counterclockwise and spiral ________ the center of a cyclone (in the Northern Hemisphere).

• outward from

• in toward

Fill in the Blanks

In the very center of pressure systems, the pressure gradient

, and there are either calm conditions or light, variable winds. The same is true of a col.