Model Earth Lesson 2 Quiz

Use the model to describe atmospheric circulation. Aubrey and Alana draw a model of their convection currents investigation. They used a candle, a box, and two chimneys. However, they could not agree on what drove the convection currents they observed. Aubrey says it was the energy from the box (which represents the Earth's surface), but Alana thinks it is the candle (which represents the Sun). Based on Model 1, who is correct?

• Alana is correct. The candle, which represents the Sun, is the most likely source of energy that creates convection.
• Aubrey is correct. The box, which represents the Earth's surface, is the most likely source of energy that creates convection.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Use Model 2 to select all the statements that best describe atmospheric circulation.

• Energy from the Sun is transferred to the Earth's surface.
• Energy from the Earth's surface cools the air above it.
• Warm air rises and begins to cool as it goes higher in the atmosphere.
• As the air cools, it sinks, creating convection currents.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Caitlin went to a conference at the Climatology Institute in Bogota, Columbia. The night before she was going to fly back to New York City, she looked at a map and thought about the flight path she would take home. Use the model to select the statement that best describes how the Earth's rotation will influence the path of the plane Caitlin takes home.

• To allow for the Earth's rotation, the pilot will fly in a straight line.
• To allow for the Earth's rotation, the pilot will follow a path that curves to the right.
• To allow for the Earth's rotation, the pilot will follow a path that curves to the left.
• The pilot doesn't need to consider the Earth's rotation when planning the flight path.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Determine if the statement is true or false: The Sun heats gases in the atmosphere, causing them to rise. As the gases begin to cool, they move back down toward the Earth.

• True
• False

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How does the atmosphere move?

• The Earth's atmosphere moves up and down from pole to pole carrying cold air to every continent
• The Earth’s atmosphere rotates with the Earth. It circles in three convection cells that are repeated either side of the equator.
• The Earth's atmosphere does not move. It stands still and does not change while the Earth rotates underneath it , causing seasons to form.

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How do you think the Earth spinning affects wind patterns on the Earth’s surface?

• The Earth's spinning causes wind patterns to form only over oceans. That is why the ocean has wind patterns and land does not. This means that winds over continents are unpredictable and have no pattern.
• The Earth's spinning causes multiple convection cells to form above and below the equator. These cells cause winds as air rises or sinks in different locations. The Coriolis effect causes the winds to deflect. This means that some places on Earth will have typical wind patterns, including the trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies.
• The Earth's spinning causes no change on wind patterns. Wind patterns are only determined by elevation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How do you think the Earth spinning affects precipitation patterns on the Earth’s surface?

• The rotation of the Earth affects the direction of the winds, and this affects where precipitation occurs.
• The rotation of the Earth determine the elevation of mountain ranges, creating rain shadows.
• The rotation of the Earth affects the speed that rain falls to the ground. In some places it falls faster because the Earth is creating more gravity.

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Look at a model of the Earth below, which shows where Mount Cayambe, Ecuador, is located. Which direction does the air in Ecuador move at the Earth’s surface? Explain why the air moves in this direction.

• Air does not move at the Equator, instead it stands still as the Earth moves under it. There are no winds at the equator.
• Air moves away from the equator at the Earth's surface, toward the air that is sinking into the ocean.
• Air moves toward the equator at the Earth’s surface, toward where the air is rising into the atmosphere at the equator.

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Luca is trying to draw the path of the polar jet stream when he notices that it moves from season to season. Luca thinks he can explain why this happens. He draws two models: one showing midsummer and the other showing midwinter. Look at the models below, then answer: Why does the polar jet stream move from season to season?

• As the Earth orbits the Sun, the amount of energy reaching each of the Earth’s polar cells from the Sun changes. This causes changes in atmospheric circulation.
• More precipitation freezes during the winter because of the colder temperatures. Gravity pulls this frozen precipitation south, closer to the equator.
• During the summer, the Earth is closer to the Sun, which causes atmospheric circulation to change in unpredictable ways.
• As the Earth orbits the Sun, air flow reverses in polar, Hadley, and Ferrel cells. This causes the polar jet stream to change position.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

the movement of air or water in circular patterns

• Atmospheric Circulation

• Convection Cell

• Coriolis Effect

• Trade Wind

• Convection Current

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