Pre-Assessment: Interaction of Spheres

Which of the following statements would BEST support the idea that Florida has a subtropical climate?

• Florida has a long pattern of experiencing hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters.

• Florida received 35 inches of rain this past year.

• Florida had record high temperatures this past summer.

• I don't know

The graphs show the average temperature range and average precipitation in Denver,Colorado. Using the graphs, what is one statement that can be made about Denver’s climate?

• The temperature and precipitation do not change over the year.

• The winters are cooler and drier than the summers.

• The warmest month is February.

• I don't know

How does the uneven warming of Earth's surface affect the movement of air over land and water?

• The warmer, less dense air above the land flows toward the cooler, denser air above the water, causing a land breeze.

• The cooler, denser air above the water flows toward the warmer, less dense air above the land, causing a sea breeze.

• The cooler air over the water would absorb water vapor and rise, resulting in rainy conditions

  over the shoreline.

• I don't know

At night, why would the ocean water be warmer than the air?

• As a cool breeze blows off the water onto the land, the water warms up.

• The heat from the air transfers to the water during the night, making the water warmer than it was during the day.

• Air changes temperature faster than water, so the water is warmer and the air is much cooler than it was during the day

• I don't know

Airplane flight paths often take advantage of the jet stream. What are jet streams?

• narrow bands of strong winds high in the atmosphere

• steady, warm breezes

• large air masses that flow over Earth’s surface

• I don't know

What changes in the water cycle would most likely result in severe flooding?

• increased precipitation and increased runoff

• decreased precipitation and decreased runoff

• increased evaporation and increased condensation

• I don't know

Which change in the water cycle is the most likely cause of a drought?

• a decrease in the rate of condensation

• a decrease in the amount of precipitation

• a decrease in the amount of runoff

• I don't know

The diagram shows how air near Earth's surface is warmed when it comes in contact with the warm surface of the Earth. Which mechanism shows the transfer of thermal energy from Earth's surface to the air as shown by the label A?

• conduction

• reflection

• convection

• I don't know

Which statement below is the best example of energy transferred by convection?

• energy transfer from lower levels of the atmosphere to higher levels of the atmosphere

• energy transfer from the water in the oceans to the sand on beaches

• energy transfer from the Sun to Earth through space

• I don't know

What is expected to happen to the ocean water? Which of the following heat transfers would you predict will occur?

• Heat will flow from the ice to the water.

• Cold flows from the ice to the water

• Heat will flow from the water to the ice.

• I don't know