Understanding Tornadoes and Their Impact

The intensity of tornadoes is measured based on the ___________________________.

• Fujita scale

• Richter scale

• Beaufort scale

• Saffir-Simpson scale

Tornadoes are also referred to as twisters, whirlwinds, and cyclones. Tornadoes are usually born out of ___________________________ , but all of the necessary elements have to be in place before this occurs.

• thunderstorms

• hurricanes

• earthquakes

• volcanoes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The storm becomes a _______________ when winds increase in speed and strength. About 30% of supercell storms produce a tornado.

• supercell

• superstorm

• hurricane

• cyclone

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Scientists still aren’t completely sure why some storms produce _______________ and some don’t. This is one reason why it is very difficult to predict precisely when and where a tornado will develop.

• tornadoes

• hurricanes

• rain

• lightning

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

As air in a thunderstorm rises, the surrounding air will:

• rush in to fill in the gap

• stay still

• move upwards

• disperse randomly

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In certain conditions this will become a funnel-shaped, whirling column of air. This is considered a tornado if the strongly rotating column of air is in contact with both the ground and the base of a ___________________________ cloud.

• cumulonimbus

• cirrus

• cumulus

• stratocumulus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

After a tornado forms, it can last anywhere from a few seconds to several hours, although they tend to last an average of _______________ or less.

• ten minutes

• one hour

• thirty minutes

• five minutes

The average wind speed is around ___________, but tornadoes are capable of producing much faster winds.

• 110 mph

• 90 mph

• 130 mph

• 150 mph

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The tornado will travel over the ground at a pace of about __________, and it can go about __________ before its energy is lost and it fades away.

• 28 mph, 16 miles

• 30 mph, 20 miles

• 25 mph, 10 miles

• 35 mph, 18 miles

A tornado is capable of destroying everything in its path. An average of __________ per year are killed by tornadoes, typically from flying debris.

• 90 people

• 50 people

• 120 people

• 200 people

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2