16.2 Assessment

What determines the characteristics of an air mass?

• The wind patterns in the region
• The temperature and humidity of its source region
• The elevation of the land it forms over
• The season in which it forms

Which of the following best describes how an air mass forms?

• It forms rapidly over a small area
• It forms gradually over a large area in a high pressure zone
• It forms quickly in areas of low pressure
• It forms continuously as it moves across different regions

What does the symbol 'cPk' represent in air mass classification?

• Continental polar air mass that is warmer than the ground
• Continental polar air mass that is colder than the ground
• Continental tropical air mass that is warmer than the ground
• Continental tropical air mass that is colder than the ground

What generally happens when a cold air mass moves over warmer ground?

• An inversion layer forms
• The air becomes more stable
• Clouds and possibly storms form
• The air mass quickly dissipates

Which statement best describes the general movement of air masses?

• Cold air masses flow toward the poles, warm air masses flow toward the equator
• Cold air masses flow toward the equator, warm air masses flow toward the poles
• All air masses flow from east to west
• Air masses do not typically move once formed

What is a front in meteorology?

• A large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity
• The leading edge of an air mass
• The meeting place of two air masses
• A line of severe thunderstorms

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a stationary front?

• It may bring days of rain, drizzle, and fog
• Winds usually blow parallel to the front in opposite directions
• It typically causes rapid temperature changes
• It can form when an air mass is stopped by a barrier like mountains

In a cold front, what happens to the warm air mass?

• It is pushed downward by the cold air
• It is forced upward by the denser cold air
• It mixes completely with the cold air
• It moves horizontally away from the cold air

What weather phenomenon is associated with a line of severe thunderstorms along a cold front?

• A warm occlusion
• A squall line
• An inversion layer
• A stationary front

How does the weather at a cold front typically vary in spring and summer?

• It is usually calm and clear
• There is often heavy snowfall
• The air is unstable, potentially leading to thunderstorms or tornadoes
• It typically brings mild temperatures and light rain