module10REVIEW

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In this module, we have seen that the properties of air affect how it moves in the atmosphere and how much water vapor it contains. These properties help us understand how the intense sunlight at latitudes near the equator drives the formation of Hadley cells, which are responsible for also producing the polar cells and Ferrell cells. These air convection currents, combined with the Coriolis effect, cause the predominant wind directions that exist around the planet. Air convection currents and the effects of rain shadows help to determine the distribution of heat and precipitation around the globe. In the next module, we will see that many of these processes also drive ocean currents, which also affect climates throughout the world.

Module 10 AP® Review Questions

Question 1

1. Temperature change in adiabatic heating occurs due to

  1. water vapor condensing.

  2. a pressure increase.

  3. absorption of sunlight.

  4. a pressure decrease.

  5. a volume increase.

Question 2

2. Latent heat release

  1. increases air temperature.

  2. decreases air temperature.

  3. increases the amount of water vapor.

  4. increases air pressure.

  5. decreases air pressure.

Question 3

3. Which of the following does NOT contribute to atmospheric convection currents?

  1. Hadley cells

  2. Westerlies

  3. Gyres

  4. Polar cells

  5. The intertropical convergence zone

Question 4

4. The maximum amount of water vapor air can hold at a given temperature is called the

  1. saturation point.

  2. latent heat capacity.

  3. absolute humidity.

  4. dew point.

  5. vapor pressure.

Question 5

5. The Coriolis effect is responsible for

  1. the convergence of two ascending Hadley cells.

  2. the location of atmospheric currents caused by the unequal heating of Earth.

  3. the cooling effect of air as it rises and expands.

  4. the deflection of atmospheric currents.

  5. the counterclockwise air circulation in the Northern Hemisphere due to Earth’s tilt.

Question 6

6. Which of the following does NOT play a role in causing a rain shadow?

  1. Cold polar air

  2. Prevailing trade winds

  3. A mountain range

  4. Adiabatic cooling

  5. Humid ocean air

Question 7

7. Which is the correct order of the convection cells, starting from the equator?

  1. Polar, Ferrell, Hadley

  2. Ferrell, Hadley, Polar

  3. Polar, Hadley, Ferrell

  4. Hadley, Ferrell, Polar

  5. Hadley, Polar, Ferrell