Wind

Wind is caused mainly by air pressure differences that result from...

• a. uneven heating of the Earth's atmosphere.
• b. absorption of ultraviolet radiation by Earth's land masses.
• c. radiation of heat from Earth's land masses to water bodies.
• d. rotation of Earth on its axis.

Which statement correctly defines wind?

• Wind is the movement of air from areas of low pressure to areas of high pressure
• Wind is the movement of air to a colder area in the atmosphere.
• Wind is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
• Wind is the movement of air pushed around and bouncing off Earth's surface.

Where does the initial source of energy come from that creates winds?

• the moon
• the sun
• the Earth's surface
• the rotation of the Earth

Land and water absorb and release the sun’s heat in different ways. One result of this is a sea breeze. Which statement is true of sea breezes?

• They originate in the day and blow toward the land.
• They originate in the day and blow toward the water.
• They originate in the evening and blow toward the land.
• They originate in the evening and blow toward the water.

Which term is best described as the movement of air from land to sea?

• global winds
• sea breeze
• land breeze
• local winds

What causes global winds and convection in the atmosphere? 

• continental deflection
• the rotation of the Earth
• Moon's gravity
• unequal heating of the Earth by the sun

The Coriolis effect causes ___________.

• the Earth to rotate on its axis
• continental deflection
• global winds and surface currents to move in a curved path instead of a straight line
• global winds and deep ocean currents to move in a curved path instead of a straight line.

What impact does the Coriolis effect have upon global winds in the northern and southern hemispheres?

• Global winds blow counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
• Global winds blow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.
• Global winds flow clockwise in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
• The Coriolis effect has no impact upon global winds in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Local winds blow over:

• short distances

• long distances

• the poles

• the equator

Why does warm air rise?

• Warm air is more dense than cooler air.
• Warm air has more pressure than cooler air.
• Warm air is less dense than cooler air.
• Warm air has a higher dew point than cooler air.