Free Practice Quiz Question List

3 Pressure and Atmospheric Circulation Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 3 Pressure and Atmospheric Circulation, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

True or false: The Coriolis effect starts the wind by pushing air from one place to another.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

On a weather map, one region has closely spaced isobars and another has widely spaced isobars. All else being equal, where would you expect the stronger pressure-gradient force and faster winds?

A
The widely spaced isobars indicate the steeper pressure gradient, so winds should be faster there.
B
The closely spaced isobars indicate the steeper pressure gradient, so winds should be faster there.
C
The spacing of isobars indicates pressure but gives no information about the pressure gradient.

Written response

1 point

Air moves north in the Northern Hemisphere. In which compass direction is it deflected by the Coriolis effect?

Written response

1 point

During the day, land beside a coast warms faster than the water. What is the name of the surface breeze that flows from the water inland?

Choose one

1 point

Which description best matches the average surface flow in the Ferrel cell?

A
Surface air flows equatorward and is deflected westward, forming polar easterlies.
B
Surface air flows poleward and is deflected eastward, forming the prevailing westerlies.
C
Surface air flows toward the equator and is deflected eastward, forming the trade winds.

True or false

1 point

True or false: In the simplified three-cell model, the circulation cells form fixed boundaries that do not shift with season.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

Near the ground, how does wind typically flow around a low-pressure center when friction weakens the Coriolis effect?

A
It flows directly outward across isobars because the Coriolis effect is strongest near the ground.
B
It flows parallel to isobars and circles the low without crossing them.
C
It crosses isobars toward lower pressure and spirals inward around the low.

Choose all

1 point

Select all statements that accurately describe the simplified three-cell circulation model.

A
In the Hadley cell, air rises near the equator and generally sinks in the subtropics.
B
In the Ferrel cell, average surface flow is poleward and forms prevailing westerlies after deflection.
C
In the Polar cell, cold air tends to sink over the poles and flow toward lower latitudes near the surface.
D
The Ferrel cell is a direct loop driven only by air rising at the equator and sinking at the poles.

Choose all

1 point

Select all factors identified as modifying the broad patterns of global atmospheric circulation.

A
Seasonal shifts in solar heating.
B
Earth's rotation.
C
The distribution of land and ocean.
D
Fixed latitude lines that keep every circulation pattern unchanged throughout the year.

Open ended

1 point

Compare typical near-surface wind flow around low- and high-pressure centers. Then explain how the usual vertical air motion near each center can affect cloud formation, without treating the outcomes as certain.

Choose one

1 point

A weather station is moved to a higher elevation. Based on the general relationship between altitude and atmospheric pressure, what change would you expect?

A
Pressure tends to be higher because more air lies above the station.
B
Pressure tends to be lower because less air lies above the station.
C
Pressure must remain the same because elevation does not affect atmospheric pressure.

Choose one

1 point

A weather map shows isobars much closer together in one region than in a nearby region. All else being equal, what does this suggest about winds in the region with closer isobars?

A
The pressure gradient is weaker, so winds should be slower.
B
The pressure gradient is stronger, so winds should be faster.
C
The pressure gradient is unchanged, but wind direction must reverse.
D
The air pressure is equal everywhere between the isobars.

True or false

1 point

A pressure difference helps drive wind, while the Coriolis effect changes the direction of air that is already moving.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

At night, a coastal area experiences near-surface air flowing from the cooler land toward the water. What is this wind called?

Choose one

1 point

Air is moving northward in the Northern Hemisphere. In which direction does the Coriolis effect deflect it relative to its path?

A
Westward, so it turns left of its path.
B
Southward, so it moves back toward the equator.
C
Eastward, so it turns right of its path.
D
It is not deflected because it is moving north.

Choose one

1 point

On a sunny afternoon, land beside a coast heats faster than the nearby water. Which near-surface circulation is most likely to develop?

A
A sea breeze, with near-surface air moving from water toward land.
B
A land breeze, with near-surface air moving from land toward water.
C
A mountain breeze, with air draining downslope.
D
A valley breeze, with air moving down-valley.

Written response

1 point

During the day, air warmed along mountain slopes flows upslope and up-valley. What is this wind called?

Choose one

1 point

In the simplified three-cell model, which circulation zone is associated with average midlatitude surface flow that moves poleward and is deflected eastward?

A
Hadley cell: its surface flow returns toward the equator.
B
Ferrel cell: its average surface flow is poleward and deflected eastward.
C
Polar cell: its surface flow is deflected eastward to form trade winds.
D
Hadley cell: its surface flow moves from the poles toward 60° latitude.

Fill in the blank

1 point

At night, cooled, denser air drains and ; this circulation is called a mountain breeze.

Fill in the blank

1 point

In the simplified three-cell model, cold air sinks over the poles and flows toward lower latitudes near the surface. Air generally rises again near latitude.

3 Pressure and Atmospheric Circulation Online Quiz Questions

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