Earth's Atmosphere and Winds Quiz

Winds may be named for their location or for the direction from which they blow. Which winds blow from 30° latitude in both hemispheres almost to the equator?

• easterlies

• westerlies

• trade winds

• the doldrums

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Air circulates in Earth's atmosphere. What is the fundamental cause of air circulation in Earth's atmosphere?

• ocean currents

• Earth's gravity

• energy from the sun

• Earth's magnetic field

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Which statement describes the general pattern of winds near the equator?

• Winds are generally weak because the equator is a region of mostly low air pressure.

• Winds are generally strong because the equator is a region of mostly high air pressure.

• Winds are generally weak because the equator is a region where low and high air pressure atmospheric bands come together.

• Winds are generally strong because the equator is a region where low and high air pressure atmospheric bands come together.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The picture shows a valley between two mountains. The arrows indicate the direction of air movement. Which statement best describes the moving air?

• Air particles are spreading farther apart.

• Warm air is pushing cool air downward.

• Air particles are being heated by the sun.

• Cool air is causing an area of high pressure.

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The wind in a certain area is blowing from east to west. Which conclusion is most supported by this fact?

• The west is experiencing lower air pressure than the east.

• The west is experiencing higher air pressure than the east.

• The west is experiencing lower air temperature than the east.

• The west is experiencing higher air temperature than the east.

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The atmosphere exerts a force (pressure) on Earth. Why does the atmosphere exert pressure on Earth?

• because of the pull of Earth’s gravity on air molecules

• because of electromagnetic radiation from outer space

• because of the effect of the ozone layer on solar radiation

• because of the effect of greenhouse gases on heat radiating from Earth

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Air rising and sinking in Earth's atmosphere forms a pattern of smaller convection cells. These convection cells create both high-pressure belts and low-pressure belts. Where in the diagram shown are the high-pressure belts located?

• A, B, C, D

• A, C, E, G

• C, D, E, F, G

• B, C, D, E, F

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Describe how dust particles from a desert can end up in a tropical jungle.

• A process where very small and light particles can easily enter the air currents in the atmosphere because of the wind. Once in the air currents high in the atmosphere, they are carried great distances to tropical jungles.

• They take an airplane and book first class tickets.

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Explain how air particle density and air pressure are related.

• I don't know

• As air cools, air particles move closer together, which increases its density. Cool air sinks, causing higher air pressure. As air becomes warmer, the particles move farther apart, which decreases air density. Air that is less dense rises, which causes lower air pressure.

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The picture shows a situation that causes local winds. Identify which direction the wind will blow. Describe why the wind blows in that direction.

• Wind blows from the land toward the sea. This happens because the land cools faster than the sea, and, as a result, the air over land cools faster, which creates an area of higher pressure on land and lower pressure over the sea.

• The wind blows in that direction because the southern winds blow it that way.

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