Air Masses and Fronts

What are air masses?

• Large bodies of water

• Large bodies of air

• Small pockets of air

• Small pockets of water

Answer explanation

Air masses are large bodies of air that have uniform temperature and humidity characteristics. They can influence weather patterns significantly, making 'large bodies of air' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Air masses take on the _______ and moisture characteristics of wherever they form.

• color

• temperature

• size

• shape

Answer explanation

Air masses acquire the temperature and moisture characteristics of their source region. Therefore, the correct answer is 'temperature', as it directly relates to the air mass's properties.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

If an air mass forms over a hot and dry area, its characteristics will be (a)  

• Cold and moist

• Hot and dry

• Warm and moist

• Cold and dry

Answer explanation

An air mass that forms over a hot and dry area will retain those characteristics, making it hot and dry. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Hot and dry'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Air masses can cover an entire _______.

• city

• continent

• ocean

• mountain

Answer explanation

Air masses are large bodies of air with uniform temperature and humidity. They can cover vast areas, including entire continents, making 'continent' the correct choice. Other options like city or mountain are too small.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is a front?

• A boundary between air masses

• A type of cloud

• A weather pattern

• A type of precipitation.

Answer explanation

A front is defined as a boundary between air masses, where different temperatures and humidity levels meet, leading to various weather conditions. This makes 'A boundary between air masses' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Match the following types of fronts with their descriptions.

• A front where warm air replaces cold air.

• stationary front

• A general term for any front that is advancing.

• warm front

• A front that does not move significantly.

• cold front

• A front where cooler air mass replaces a warmer air mass.

• moving front

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

"Cold" and "warm" are (a)   terms.

• absolute

• relative

• fixed

• changing

Answer explanation

"Cold" and "warm" are relative terms because their meanings depend on context and comparison. Unlike absolute terms, which have fixed definitions, relative terms vary based on perspective and conditions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Cold fronts do not always bring _______.

• rain and wind

• snow and ice

• sun and heat

• clouds and fog

Answer explanation

Cold fronts typically bring precipitation like rain or snow, but they do not always result in snow and ice. Therefore, the correct answer is 'snow and ice', as these conditions are not guaranteed with every cold front.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Warm fronts do not always bring _______ temperatures.

• cold

• mild

• hot

• freezing

Answer explanation

Warm fronts typically bring mild temperatures, but they do not always bring hot temperatures. Therefore, the correct answer is 'hot', as warm fronts can lead to a range of temperatures depending on various factors.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Air masses are always _______.

• stationary

• moving

• shrinking

• expanding

Answer explanation

Air masses are always moving as they are large bodies of air that travel across the Earth's surface, influencing weather patterns. Therefore, the correct answer is 'moving'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6