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Upper-air Meteorology Trivia Quiz

This quiz will test your knowledge of meteorological concepts, terms, and variables above the surface level.

A multiple-choice quiz by melldavi. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
melldavi

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
273,479

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
727

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The 500 millibar level, which is the level above the Earth's surface where the pressure has decreased to exactly 500 millibars, is often referred to as what? Hint

The tropopause

The jet stream level

The steering level

The lifting condensation level

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the point in the atmosphere called where the bottom of the first cloud is seen? Hint

Level of free convection

Convective available potential energy

Dew point

Lifting condensation level

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Question 3 of 10

3. Why do meteorologists use the pressure level above the surface of the Earth called the 850 millibar level when looking for temperature advection (horizontal movement of temperature)? Hint

The winds are lightest at that level

The air is typically free of moisture at this level

This is the steering level of the atmosphere

The air is not affected by diurnal temperature changes

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Question 4 of 10

4. In order for a tropical depression to strengthen, what type of upper-level conditions must be in place? Hint

Strong winds

Light winds

Convergence

Temperature inversion

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Question 5 of 10

5. In the mid-latitudes, what is the most common type of precipitation-forming process called? Hint

Saturation vapor pressure

Collision-coalescence

Bergeron process

Condensation

6. When air is lifted, it cools at either the dry adiabatic (no exchange of heat or energy with the surroundings) lapse rate or the saturated adiabatic lapse rate, depending on the relative humidity of the air parcel. Why is the dry adiabatic lapse rate always greater than the saturated adiabatic lapse rate? Hint

It isn't--they are equal

Saturated air ascends more slowly than unsaturated air

Condensation in saturated air parcels causes release of latent heat

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is only for parcels that have less than 5% humidity

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Question 7 of 10

7. Why is the jet stream found at higher altitudes in the tropics than at the poles? Hint

The warm, moist air in the tropics "attracts" the jet stream but only at high altitudes.

The cold air expands and takes up more space than warmer air, causing the jet stream level to be found at a higher altitude.

The warm air expands and takes up more space than cooler air, causing the jet stream level to be found at a higher altitude.

The winds are faster at the poles so the jet stream must be closer to the surface of the Earth.

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Question 8 of 10

8. It is possible for a cloud to extend into the atmospheric layer above the troposphere, called the stratosphere.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. Geostrophic flow is an idealized flow that occurs away from the Earth's surface, usually at the 500 millibar pressure level. In geostrophic flow, the air flows parallel to the isobars (lines of equal pressure) as opposed to flowing at right angles to the isobars at the surface. What are the two balanced forces that make up geostrophic flow? Hint

Coriolis force and centripetal acceleration

Pressure gradient force and friction

Pressure gradient force and Coriolis force

Coriolis force and friction

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following IS NOT a factor that influences the amount of solar radiation received at the surface of the Earth? Hint

Scattering

Albedo

Emissivity

Absorption

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The 500 millibar level, which is the level above the Earth's surface where the pressure has decreased to exactly 500 millibars, is often referred to as what?

Answer: The steering level

The 500 millibar level is far enough away from the surface to neglect the effect of friction on the flow. Most weather systems and precipitation tend to follow the winds at this level, hence the term 'steering level'.

2. What is the point in the atmosphere called where the bottom of the first cloud is seen?

Answer: Lifting condensation level

As air is lifted from the surface, it cools at a constant rate of 10 degrees Celsius per kilometer until it reaches its dew point (the point of saturation). Since the air has now reached saturated, condensation occurs, giving us the bottom of the first cloud.

3. Why do meteorologists use the pressure level above the surface of the Earth called the 850 millibar level when looking for temperature advection (horizontal movement of temperature)?

Answer: The air is not affected by diurnal temperature changes

The temperatures at this level do not reflect the diurnal (daily) changes as a result of the heating and cooling of the Earth's surface. This is a good layer to use to look for the development of fronts.

4. In order for a tropical depression to strengthen, what type of upper-level conditions must be in place?

Answer: Light winds

Strong upper-level winds will blow the system apart and prevent it from strengthening; therefore, light winds aloft will allow the storm to develop, rotate, and strengthen.

5. In the mid-latitudes, what is the most common type of precipitation-forming process called?

Answer: Bergeron process

The Bergeron process occurs in cold clouds (clouds that are a mixture of liquid water and ice crystals), which are the most common precipitating clouds in the mid-latitudes. In the Bergeron process, the ice crystals attract the water droplets because of the difference in polarity. Because of this, the ice crystals grow at the expense of the water droplets. If the ice crystal grows massive enough, it will fall due to gravity as precipitation.

Answer: Condensation in saturated air parcels causes release of latent heat

Air parcels that have a relative humidity of less than 100% will rise and cool according to the dry adiabatic lapse rate, which means that the cooling occurs solely because of expansion, and there is no exchange of heat with the surroundings. Once the dew point is reached, condensation occurs, and latent heat is released.

This latent heat is enough to slightly warm the parcel from the inside, thus causing it to not cool as quickly as it did when it was unsaturated.

7. Why is the jet stream found at higher altitudes in the tropics than at the poles?

Answer: The warm air expands and takes up more space than cooler air, causing the jet stream level to be found at a higher altitude.

The level of the jet stream can vary both seasonally and latitudinally, because it is dependent upon the temperature of the column of air below it. Warmer temperatures cause the air to expand and push the jet stream to a higher level. Conversely cooler air is denser than warm air and therefore does not expand as much, causing the jet stream to be found at lower altitudes.

8. It is possible for a cloud to extend into the atmospheric layer above the troposphere, called the stratosphere.

Answer: True

In very energetic cumulonimbus clouds, it is possible for the cloud to penetrate into the lower part of the stratosphere. Since the stratosphere is characterized by a temperature inversion (an increase of temperature with height), the cloud cannot grow past the lowest layer.

The winds in the stratosphere may blow the top of the thunderhead in the direction of the storm's movement, causing the anvil top often associated with severe thunderstorms.

Answer: Pressure gradient force and Coriolis force

Geostrophic flow is an idealized situation, where the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force (the apparent deflection of air due to the rotation of the Earth) are in balance, and the air flow is parallel to the isolines. This situation occurs high enough in the atmosphere (i.e. circa the 500 mb level) where the effects of friction can be neglected.

10. Which of the following IS NOT a factor that influences the amount of solar radiation received at the surface of the Earth?

Answer: Emissivity

The albedo of a surface is a value between 0.0 and 1.0 and represents the reflectivity of the surface. For example, freshly fallen snow has an albedo of approximately 98%. Absorption of solar radiation in our atmosphere reduces the amount received at the surface by approximately 16%. Scattering of solar radiation

Source: Author melldavi

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