Weather Patterns: Chapter 2 Quiz

1. Which statement best describes how the sun heats the air?

• Energy from the sun is transferred to Earth's surface, and some of this energy is then transferred to the air.

• Energy from the sun is transferred to the air.

Answer explanation

The correct statement explains that the sun's energy first heats the Earth's surface, which then transfers some of that heat to the air, making it a more accurate description of the heating process.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

2. If two hot-air balloons are filled at the same time, but one is filled with warm air and one is filled with hot air, which balloon do you think will rise higher?

• The balloon with hot air

• The balloon with warm air

Answer explanation

The balloon with hot air will rise higher because hot air is less dense than warm air. This lower density allows the hot air balloon to displace more air, creating greater lift and enabling it to ascend more effectively.

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3. What causes air parcels to stop rising?

• Nothing causes it to stop rising.

• As an air parcel rises, energy transfers from the warm air parcel to the cold surrounding air until the temperature becomes EQUAL, this is when it stops rising.

• Air parcel and the surrounding air temperature have to be different temperatures for it to stop rising.

Answer explanation

As an air parcel rises, it loses heat to the cooler surrounding air. This energy transfer continues until the temperatures equalize, at which point the air parcel stops rising.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

4. Is there a pattern in the relationship between starting air temperature and parcel height? Check your Simulating Rainstorms worksheet.

• Yes, the higher starting air temperature means the higher the parcel height.

• No, there is no relationship between starting air temperature and parcel height.

Answer explanation

Yes, there is a clear pattern: as the starting air temperature increases, the parcel height also increases. This relationship indicates that warmer air can rise higher due to its lower density compared to cooler air.

5. Day 1 and Day 2 in Greenville started with the same amount of water vapor in the air parcels there. It rained at the end of Day 2 but it did not rain at the end of Day 1. What could have happened to the air parcel to cause rainfall on Day 2?

• The air parcel was warmer than the surrounding air, so it LOST energy.

• The air parcel was warmer than the surrounding air, so it GAINED energy.

• The air parcel was at the same low temperature as the surrounding air, so it had low energy.

• The air parcel was cooler than the surrounding air, so it gained energy.

Answer explanation

On Day 2, the air parcel was warmer than the surrounding air, causing it to rise. As it ascended, it cooled and lost energy, leading to condensation and rainfall. This process explains why it rained on Day 2 but not on Day 1.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

6. There were two rainstorms in Marion last month. Before Storm 1, Marion’s temperature at the surface was 26°C. Before Storm 2, the air temperature at the surface was 14°C. The temperature of areas surrounding Marion was the same before both storms. Which storm is likely to have had more rainfall?

• Storm 1. The air parcel at the surface was warmer and had more energy, so when it moved higher, it lost more energy.

• Storm 1. The air parcel at the surface was warmer and had more energy, so when cooler air from above came down, it lost more energy.

• Storm 2. The air parcel at the surface was cooler and had less energy, so when it moved higher, it gained more energy.

• Storm 2. The air parcel at the surface was cooler and had less energy, so with low energy it remained near the surface.

Answer explanation

Storm 1 is likely to have had more rainfall because the warmer air parcel at the surface had more energy. As it rose, it lost energy, leading to condensation and precipitation, resulting in more rainfall.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

7. Air Parcel 1 is the same temperature as the surrounding air. Air parcel 2 is warmer than the surrounding air. Air Parcel 1 and Air Parcel 2 started with the same amount of water vapor in them. Which air parcel will have more rainfall and why?

• Both air parcels will have the same amount of rain. They have the same surrounding air temperature, so the same amount of water vapor will fall as rain.

• Air Parcel 1 is colder than Air Parcel 2, so more water vapor will fall as rain.

• Air Parcel 2 will GAIN energy from the surrounding air, which will cause more water vapor to fall as rain.

• Air Parcel 2 will LOSE energy to the surrounding air, which will cause more water vapor to fall as rain.

Answer explanation

Air Parcel 2, being warmer, will lose energy to the surrounding air as it rises. This cooling allows more water vapor to condense and fall as rain, resulting in more rainfall compared to Air Parcel 1.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

8. What do the yellow arrows represent in the image?

• Air parcel LOSING energy as it rises in the troposphere and cools.

• Air parcel GAINING energy as it lowers in the troposphere and warms.

• Air parcel GAINING energy as it rises in the troposphere and cools.

• Air parcel LOSING energy as it lowers in the troposphere and warms.

Answer explanation

The yellow arrows indicate that as the air parcel rises in the troposphere, it loses energy and cools. This process is crucial in understanding atmospheric dynamics and temperature changes with altitude.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

9. Which parcel will rise higher?

• Parcel A

• Parcel B

Answer explanation

Parcel A will rise higher because it is typically less dense than Parcel B, allowing it to displace more air and ascend. This principle of buoyancy explains why Parcel A is the correct choice.

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10. Which parcel will lose more energy?

• Parcel A

• Parcel B

Answer explanation

Parcel A will lose more energy because it is likely at a higher altitude or temperature compared to Parcel B, leading to greater energy loss through processes like convection or radiation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5