Convection in the Atmosphere

How does density affect movement in a convection current? Choose all that apply.

• More dense will sink

• Less dense will sink

• More dense will rise

• Less dense will rise

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Where is the original source of the energy that occurs in convection currents?

• Point F

• Point G

• Point H

• Point A

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is occurring at point E on the diagram?

• The Earth is absorbing the sun's radiation.

• The air has risen because it picked up heat, becoming more dense.

• The air has risen because it picked up heat, becoming less dense.

• The air is sinking because it has cooled becoming less dense.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

At which point on the diagram does the air cool, sink and become more dense?

• Point E

• Point F

• Point H

• None of the above.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes warm air to rise?

• a. The fact that it's less dense than cold air.

• b. The fact that it weighs more than cold air.

• c. The fact that it has higher pressure than cold air.

• d. The fact that it's more dense than cold air.

What causes convection currents in the Earth's atmosphere?

• The rotation of the Earth

• The magnetic field of the Earth

• The heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun

• The gravitational pull of the Moon

Answer explanation

Convection currents in the Earth's atmosphere are caused by the heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following is NOT a result of convection currents in the atmosphere?

• Wind

• Rain

• Earthquakes

• Cloud formation

Answer explanation

Earthquakes are not a result of convection currents in the atmosphere. Wind, rain, and cloud formation are all influenced by convection currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following best describes convection currents in the atmosphere?

• The movement of air due to differences in air pressure.

• The movement of air due to differences in temperature.

• The movement of air due to the Earth's rotation.

• The movement of air due to gravitational pull.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What role do convection currents play in the distribution of temperature on the Earth's surface?

• They have no effect on temperature distribution

• They even out temperature by moving warm air toward the poles and cool air toward the equator

• They increase temperature differences by moving warm air away from the equator

• They only affect ocean temperatures, not air temperatures

Answer explanation

Convection currents even out temperature by moving warm air toward the poles and cool air toward the equator, helping distribute temperature on Earth's surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Warm air rises and the cool air sinks demonstrates this type of heat transfer. 

• conduction

• convection

• radiation

• Insolation 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6