Exploring Weather Variables: Air Pressure, Temperature & Density

Which three variables are critical to understanding weather?

• Temperature, humidity, and precipitation

• Air pressure, temperature, and air density

• Wind speed, air density, and humidity

• Air pressure, humidity, and wind speed

What happens to air pressure when the temperature of air increases?

• Air pressure decreases

• Air pressure remains the same

• Air pressure increases

• Air pressure fluctuates

How does air density affect air pressure?

• Higher density decreases air pressure

• Density has no effect on air pressure

• Lower density increases air pressure

• Higher density increases air pressure

What is an adiabatic process?

• A process where air changes temperature without heat exchange

• A process where air density remains constant

• A process where air changes temperature with heat exchange

• A process where air pressure remains constant

Why does the windward side of a mountain receive more rain?

• Because it is closer to the ocean

• Because it is warmer

• Because it has higher air pressure

• Because rising air cools and releases moisture

What forms when warm moist air rises and cools in the atmosphere?

• Hail

• Fog

• Clouds

• Snow

What are air masses?

• Random air currents

• Large parcels of air with specific characteristics

• Small pockets of air

• Localized weather patterns

What causes thunderstorms?

• Cold wet air descending quickly

• Cold dry air rising quickly

• Warm dry air descending quickly

• Warm wet air rising quickly

What is the main difference between tornadoes and hurricanes?

• Hurricanes are less dangerous than tornadoes

• Tornadoes are larger than hurricanes

• Tornadoes form over land, hurricanes over water

• Tornadoes form over water, hurricanes over land

What drives the movement of dangerous storms like tornadoes and hurricanes?

• Combination of low pressure centers and high pressure exteriors

• Combination of high pressure centers and low pressure exteriors

• High pressure centers

• Low pressure centers