Elements of meteorology

Question 1

Clouds can form in the atmosphere because cold air cannot hold as much moisture (water vapor) as warm air can hold.

TRUE FALSE

Question 2

The air flowing around the low pressure center of a large storm rotates

a) cyclonically in both hemispheres.
b) anti-cyclonically in both hemispheres.
c) cyclonically in the northern hemispheres and anti-cyclonically in the southern hemisphere.
d) anti-cyclonically in the northern hemisphere and cyclonically in the southern hemisphere.

Question 3

The greenhouse effect causes the surface of the earth to be warmer than it would have been in the absence of an atmosphere, because

a) the atmosphere behaves like a greenhouse.
b) the atmosphere works like a blanket.
c) the greenhouse gases trap heat.
d) the surface is warmed by radiation from both the air and the sun.

Question 4

The basic cause of the greenhouse effect is

a) the burning of fossil fuels.
b) forest clearing in the Amazon.
c) both of the above.
d) none of the above.

Question 5

What is the stability of a parcel of air which is buoyant?

a) stable
b) unstable
c) neutral
d) undefined

Question 6

If you were looking down at earth from a weather satellite and your eyes could see in the infrared portion of the spectrum (say, from 8 - 12 micrometer wavelength), then the warmest things (earth's surface) would appear brightest (white), and the coldest things (high clouds) would appear darkest (black).

TRUE FALSE

Question 7

The blue of the sky is caused when sunlight is scattered primarily by

a) dust.
b) nitrogen and oxygen.
c) water vapor
d) ozone

Question 8

Water draining from a bathtub or sink rotates

a) clockwise in the northern and counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
b) counter-clockwise in the northern and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
c) cyclonically in both hemispheres.
d) in a direction unrelated to the hemisphere.

Question 9

A mirage is an optical illusion.

TRUE FALSE

Question 10

On the (primary) rainbow, red is seen

a) on the inside of the bow.
b) on the outside of the bow.
c) in the middle (between the other colors) of the bow.
d) it varies from storm to storm.

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