Question 1

Why does a rising air parcel cool off?

Accepted Answer

A)  Its relative humidity is less than 100 percent.
B)  It loses heat to its surroundings.
C)  It loses energy by radiation.
D)  It expands.
E)  It is unstable.

Question 2

The buoyancy of a rising air parcel is greatly affected by:

Accepted Answer

A)  heat released if water vapor condenses.
B)  absorption of solar radiation.
C)  air pressure.
D)  convergence of the parcel.
E)  wind speed.

Question 3

The absolute humidity of the air is expressed as a percent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

The property which primarily controls how much water can be present as a gas is:

Accepted Answer

A)  number of particulates present.
B)  availability of latent heat.
C)  temperature of the air.
D)  water's specific heat.
E)  amount of dry air gases present.

Question 5

Clear skies are associated with subsidence or sinking motion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

A convergence of winds near the surface is associated with cloud production because it:

Accepted Answer

A)  increases the lapse rate.
B)  creates a vortex or spiral pattern.
C)  increases the wind speed.
D)  increases the dew point.
E)  forces the air to rise.

Question 7

During the process of adiabatic cooling,the temperature decreases because the air has:

Accepted Answer

A)  been compressed.
B)  lost heat to the colder air at higher altitudes.
C)  lost some of its water vapor.
D)  expanded to a larger volume.
E)  emitted infrared radiation.

Question 8

The capacity of the air to hold water vapor:

Accepted Answer

A)  increases with a decrease in temperature.
B)  decreases with an increase in temperature.
C)  increases with an increase in temperature.
D)  increases with an increase in pressure. C

Question 9

If your environmental lapse rate is 17 C/km on a partly cloudy afternoon,then the atmosphere is said to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  absolutely unstable.
B)  absolutely stable.
C)  conditionally stable. A

Question 10

If the mixing ratio remains unchanged and the temperature drops,the relative humidity will increase.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The temperature of rising air parcels ________ as they move upward.

Accepted Answer

A)  decreases
B)  increases
C)  remains constant
D)  may either increase or decrease

Question 12

In which phase do water molecules have the lowest kinetic energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  vapor
B)  liquid
C)  ice
D)  It has the same kinetic energy in all three phases.

Question 13

When air sinks,it is compressed and warmed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

In your own words,describe the process that causes a cold glass of ice water to 'sweat'.Include a discussion of the flow of energy through this system,and use appropriate vocabulary.

Accepted Answer

Heat will always flow from where there i...

Question 15

Evaporation is a cooling process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 16

Relative humidity levels are always higher in St.Louis,MO than Anchorage,AK.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The stability of an air layer refers to its:

Accepted Answer

A)  tendency to either sustain or suppress upward vertical motions.
B)  albedo.
C)  overall density.
D)  pressure as measured at its base.

Question 18

As liquid water is evaporated into the atmosphere,heat energy is:

Accepted Answer

A)  absorbed by the remaining liquid.
B)  given off by the water vapor.
C)  released by the evaporating water.
D)  absorbed by the evaporating water.
E)  absorbed by the surrounding air.

Question 19

The formation of frost is an example of deposition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

As the temperature of air is reduced to its dew point,which of these is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  freezing
B)  condensation
C)  melting
D)  supercooling
E)  evaporation

Exam 4: Moisture and Atmospheric Stability

Why does a rising air parcel cool off?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The buoyancy of a rising air parcel is greatly affected by:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The absolute humidity of the air is expressed as a percent.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The property which primarily controls how much water can be present as a gas is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Clear skies are associated with subsidence or sinking motion.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A convergence of winds near the surface is associated with cloud production because it:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During the process of adiabatic cooling,the temperature decreases because the air has:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The capacity of the air to hold water vapor:

Correct AnswerverifiedC

If your environmental lapse rate is 17 C/km on a partly cloudy afternoon,then the atmosphere is said to be:

Correct AnswerverifiedA

If the mixing ratio remains unchanged and the temperature drops,the relative humidity will increase.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The temperature of rising air parcels ________ as they move upward.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In which phase do water molecules have the lowest kinetic energy?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When air sinks,it is compressed and warmed.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In your own words,describe the process that causes a cold glass of ice water to 'sweat'.Include a discussion of the flow of energy through this system,and use appropriate vocabulary.

Correct AnswerverifiedHeat will always flow from where there i...View AnswerShow Answer

Evaporation is a cooling process.

Correct AnswerverifiedTrue

Relative humidity levels are always higher in St.Louis,MO than Anchorage,AK.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The stability of an air layer refers to its:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As liquid water is evaporated into the atmosphere,heat energy is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The formation of frost is an example of deposition.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As the temperature of air is reduced to its dew point,which of these is most likely to occur?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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C

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A

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Heat will always flow from where there i...
View Answer

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True

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