Review: Weather & Climate

Energy for convection on the Earth comes from...

• The sun

• The moon

• Solar winds

• The ocean

Answer explanation

Energy for convection on Earth primarily comes from the sun, which heats the surface and drives atmospheric movements. The moon and solar winds do not significantly contribute to convection processes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which condition usually means cloudy, stormy weather?

• high pressure

• low pressure

Answer explanation

Low pressure systems are associated with rising air, which leads to cloud formation and precipitation, resulting in cloudy, stormy weather. In contrast, high pressure systems typically bring clear skies.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Major surface currents of the ocean are shown in the diagram.

Ocean currents affect weather patterns by--

• Regulating when tides occur in coastal area

• Trapping heat at the equator to regulate the global climate

• Distributing heat from the uneven absorption of solar energy

• Increasing the rate of evaporation to transport water to area experiencing droughts

Answer explanation

Ocean currents distribute heat from areas of high solar energy absorption, like the equator, to cooler regions, influencing global climate and weather patterns. This makes 'Distributing heat from the uneven absorption of solar energy' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Warm air rises because: 

• It is more dense than cold air. 

• It is less dense than cold air. 

• It has the same density as cold air. 

• Warm air does not rise. 

Answer explanation

Warm air rises because it is less dense than cold air. As air warms, it expands and becomes lighter, allowing it to rise, while colder, denser air sinks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

This image represents which activity?

• conduction

• conversation

• convection

• confliction

Answer explanation

The image likely depicts convection, which is the transfer of heat through fluids (liquids or gases) due to the movement of the fluid itself. This distinguishes it from conduction (solid) and conversation/confliction (social interactions).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

The primary cause for convection inside and on the surface of Earth is...

• the moon

• the Sun

• gravity

• pressure

Answer explanation

The primary cause for convection inside and on the surface of Earth is the Sun, as it heats the Earth's surface, causing warm air to rise and cool air to sink, creating convection currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Hot matter ______ and cold matter ______.

• sinks; rises

• sinks; sinks

• rises; rises

• rises; sinks

Answer explanation

Hot matter rises because it is less dense, while cold matter sinks as it is denser. Therefore, the correct completion is 'rises; sinks'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Air moves from areas of ____ pressure toward areas of ____ pressure.

• higher; lower

• lower; higher

• higher; higher

• lower; lower

Answer explanation

Air moves from areas of higher pressure toward areas of lower pressure due to the natural tendency to equalize pressure differences. Thus, the correct answer is 'higher; lower'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Earth's land areas, oceans, and atmosphere maintain fairly constant temperatures. What is the best explanation for these constant average temperatures?

• Earth's Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons

• Earth is tilted and rotates daily on its axis

• The continuous motion of air and water distributes the sun's energy

• Global weather systems generally move west to east

Answer explanation

The continuous motion of air and water helps to evenly distribute the sun's energy across the Earth's surface, maintaining stable average temperatures in land areas, oceans, and the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

what kind of pressure predicts good weather?

• high

• low

• cold

• stationary

Answer explanation

High pressure systems are associated with clear skies and stable weather conditions, making them a predictor of good weather. In contrast, low pressure often brings clouds and precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5