Chapter 6

McKnight's Physical Geography, 12e (Hess)
Chapter 6 Atmospheric Moisture
1) Precipitation and evaporation are two components of ________.

A) the lithosphere
B) Earth's energy budget
C) the heterosphere
D) the cycle of sublimation
E) the hydrologic cycle
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 6.1 The Nature of Water: Commonplace but Unique
Learning Outcome: 6.1 Using the hydrologic cycle, explain the transfer of water to and from the
atmosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
2) The state of water that is the most fundamental, yet least obvious, in the atmosphere is
________.
A) evaporation
B) hail
C) water vapor
D) ice crystals
E) rain
Answer: C
Diff: 1
atmosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
1
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
3) An atom in which the number of neutrons is different from the number of protons is called
a(n) ________.
A) chemical
B) ion
C) isotope
D) "rogue" substance
E) subatomic particle
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.2 Explain the nature of the water molecule.
Global Sci Stds: G2
4) The weak ________ of its molecules gives water many of its interesting properties.
A) spin
B) color
C) shells
D) expansion
E) electrical polarity
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
5) The hydrologic cycle refers to the ________.

A) totality of the forms of precipitation
B) unending circulation of Earth's water supply
C) flow of rivers
D) groundwater flow to the surface
E) latent heat of vaporization
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
2
6) Water is unique because no other substance occurs in ________.
A) solid form
B) liquid form
C) gaseous form
D) in the atmosphere
E) all three states of matter
Answer: E
Diff: 2
atmosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
3
7)
The parts of the graph showing no temperature change with an increase of Calories added are
________.
A) before phase changes
B) after phase changes
C) during phase changes
D) not related to phase changes
E) both related to the latent heat of vaporization
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.2 Phase Changes of Water
Learning Outcome: 6.9 Identify the six phase changes that water can undergo and whether they
are cooling or warming processes.
Global Sci Stds: G3
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
4
8)
Which energy arrow represents the process of sublimation?

A) Solid to gas
B) Gas to solid
C) Liquid to gas
D) Gas to liquid
E) Liquid to solid
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.2 Phase Changes of Water
Global Sci Stds: G3
5
9) Evaporation ________.
A) is a heating process
B) is a cooling process
C) is a process not requiring energy
D) releases latent heat in the air
E) has its greatest rates when the air is already humid
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.2 Condensation
Global Sci Stds: G2
10) Water vapor can be described by all but one of the following.
A) Odorless
B) Tasteless
C) Energy rich
D) Light blue color
E) A small fraction of the atmosphere's volume
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.3 Water Vapor and Evaporation
Global Sci Stds: G2
11) The presence of which of the following hastens evaporation?

A) Warm water
B) Cold air
C) Rising air
D) Already humid air
E) Slow-moving air
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
6
12) Which of the following would SLOW evaporation from the water's surface?
A) High-air temperatures
B) Air with low relative humidity
C) Calm air
D) Warm water temperatures
E) Turbulence of air molecules
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
13) Liquid converts to gas when ________.

A) a crystalline structure is created
B) molecules break loose from the liquid
C) cooling reaches the dew point
D) the liquid heats to freezing
E) sublimation starts
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
14) The transfer of moisture from land to air is termed ________.

A) evapotranspiration
B) condensation
C) evaporative cooling
D) dew point
E) specific humidity
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.14 Identify the conditions that decrease the rate of evaporation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
7
15) ________ refers to water vapor leaving the Earth's surface through plants.
A) Evaporation
B) Potential evapotranspiration
C) Transpiration
D) Evaporation, potential Evapotranspiration, and transpiration
E) Stomata energy transfer
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
16)
What sort of relationship is there between the plots of relative humidity and temperature?
A) There is no relationship between the plots.
B) Logarithmic
C) Direct
D) Inverse
E) Fuzzy
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.4 Measures of Humidity
Global Sci Stds: G4
8
17) Maximum absolute humidity is governed by ________.
A) vapor content
B) temperature
C) the adiabatic rate
D) the hydrologic cycle
E) proximity to the water's surface
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.15 Differentiate between evapotranspiration and potential
evapotranspiration, and explain the importance of the difference between them.
Global Sci Stds: G4
18) If air's capacity for holding water vapor is diminished, then the relative humidity will
________.
A) rise
B) fall
C) be unchanged
D) double
E) be cut by half
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.21 Explain the impacts on relative humidity of cooling air to the dew point
temperature.
Global Sci Stds: G4
19) Which of the following is NOT a measure of water vapor in the atmosphere?
A) Dew point
B) Absolute humidity
C) Specific humidity
D) Potential evapotranspiration
E) Relative humidity
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
9
20) Any dew point temperature over ________is considered extremely dangerous.
A) 0º C (32ºF)
B) 21ºC (70ºF)
C) 30ºC (86ºF)
D) 41ºC (106ºF)
E) 52ºC (125ºF)
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.17 Explain the concepts that give rise to relative humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
21) In 2015, Bandar Mashshar, Iran had a heat index value of ________, which is dangerous for
humans.
A) 20ºC (32ºF)
B) 32ºC (90ºF)
C) 50ºC (122ºF)
D) 43ºC (109ºF)
E) 74ºC (165ºF)
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.17 Explain the concepts that give rise to relative humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
22) Usually, the highest relative humidity is ________.

A) at dawn
B) in the evening
C) at sunset
D) in the late afternoon
E) at midnight
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.19 Identify the factors that change relative humidity and the situations that
result in these changes.
Global Sci Stds: G2
10
23) The capacity for air to hold water ________.
A) increases as temperature increases
B) is a constant
C) decreases as evaporation decreases
D) increases as temperature decreases
E) is not related to temperature
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
24) Grams per cubic meter are the measurement units used to describe ________.
A) vapor pressure
B) relative humidity
C) saturation
D) evapotranspiration
E) absolute humidity
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
25) Which measure of humidity is a mass-to-mass comparison?

A) Absolute humidity
B) Specific humidity
C) Dew point
D) Relative humidity
E) Saturation
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
11
26) Relative humidity is ________ related to air temperature.
A) positively
B) not
C) sometimes
D) unevenly
E) inversely
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.16 Explain three ways to describe the actual amount of water vapor in the
air.
Global Sci Stds: G2
27) Relative humidity is "relative" to ________.

A) moisture
B) temperature
C) vapor pressure
D) saturation
E) evaporation
Answer: D
Diff: 2
air.
Global Sci Stds: G2
28) ________ is the critical temperature at which saturation is reached.

A) Absolute humidity
B) The dew point
C) The flash point
D) Specific humidity
E) Relative humidity
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
12
29) Air containing all of the water vapor possible at a particular temperature is said to be
________.
A) adiabatic
B) saturated
C) a dew point
D) unstable
E) convective
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
30) How warm or cold it FEELS to us is the ________ temperature.

A) dew point
B) sensible
C) latent
D) common
E) adiabatic
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.19 Identify the factors that change relative humidity and the situations that
result in these changes.
Global Sci Stds: G2
31) The relative humidity would be ________% if the actual water vapor in the air were 10
grams per cubic meter, the air's capacity to hold water vapor were 20 grams per cubic meter, and
the dew-point temperature was 20 degrees Celsius.
A) 10
B) 20
C) 50
D) 2
E) 200
Answer: C
Diff: 3
air.
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating
13
32) A certain volume of air holds 20 grams of water vapor. At that temperature, the maximum
amount the air it can contain is 100 grams. What is the relative humidity?
A) 100%
B) 20 grams
C) 20%
D) 100 grams
E) 20 grams per kilogram
Answer: C
Diff: 3
air.
Global Sci Stds: G4
33) If the ________ of air changes, the value of the absolute humidity changes, even though
there is no change in the actual amount of water vapor present.
A) temperature
B) color
C) wind speed
D) volume
E) rate of emission of electromagnetic energy
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
34) Supercooled water refers to ________.

A) ice crystals
B) water that is liquid as cold as -40ºC (-40ºF)
C) water vapor below freezing
D) water droplets without condensation nuclei
E) ice crystals that are the beginning of snowflakes
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.21 Explain the impacts on relative humidity of cooling air to the dew point
temperature.
Global Sci Stds: G2
14
35) Which of the following DOES NOT comprise common hygroscopic nuclei?
A) Dust
B) Pollen
C) Sea salt
D) Bacteria
E) Hailstones
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.20 Describe the inverse relationship between temperature and relative
humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
36) Air that has cooled below the dew point undergoes ________.
A) increased stability
B) supercooling
C) condensation
D) evaporation
E) evapotranspiration
Answer: C
Diff: 1
humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
37) The release of latent heat from water molecules is called ________.
A) vapor pressure
B) evaporative cooling
C) specific humidity
D) condensation
E) sublimation pressure
Answer: D
Diff: 2
humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
15
38)
Which type of particle is the largest in the figure?

A) Large cloud droplets
B) Typical cloud droplets
C) Condensation nuclei
D) Typical raindrops
E) Any particle can be any size
Answer: D
Diff: 1
humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
16
39) The number of condensation nuclei in a raindrop is on the order of ________.
A) 1
B) 100
C) 1,000
D) 100,000
E) 1,000,000
Answer: E
Diff: 2
humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
40) The saturated adiabatic lapse rate is a lesser lapse rate than the dry adiabatic lapse rate. This
is because ________.
A) rain is occurring
B) "wet" air doesn't rise
C) the air must be stable
D) latent heat is being released
E) unsaturated air is descending
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.6 Adiabatic Processes
Learning Outcome: 6.22 Define sensible temperature.
Global Sci Stds: G2
41) Rising air cools at a rate called ________.

A) stability
B) the average lapse rate
C) the dry adiabatic lapse rate
D) the saturated adiabatic lapse rate
E) the variable lapse rate
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
17
42) Most of the Earth's cloudiness results directly from ________.
A) sublimation
B) evaporation
C) air pollution
D) vertical temperature gradient
E) adiabatic cooling
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
43) How much GREATER is the dry adiabatic lapse rate than the saturated adiabatic lapse rate
over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)? This question is asking about the RATE rather than the
temperature itself.
A) Almost 0º C (0ºF)
B) Averages around 4º C (7ºF)
C) A bit above 15ºC (27ºF)
D) Exactly 30ºC (54ºF)
E) Almost 45ºC (81ºF)
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G4
44) The average lapse rate in the troposphere ________.

A) is 10°C (6ºF) per 1,000m
B) is quite variable by time and region
C) describes temperatures in adiabatic air
D) is proof that temperatures usually increase with altitude
E) is about the same as the dry adiabatic lapse rate
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.23 Identify the two conditions necessary for condensation to occur.
Global Sci Stds: G4
18
45) The rising and subsequent cooling of air at the rate of 10°C per 1,000 meters (5ºF per 1,000
feet) is called ________.
A) supercooling
B) the dry adiabatic lapse rate
C) the wet adiabatic lapse rate
D) the dew point
E) the latent heat of condensation
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.23 Identify the two conditions necessary for condensation to occur.
Global Sci Stds: G2
46) Saturated air is forced down the leeward side of a mountain. On its way down, the air
undergoes warming because of compression. What is the rate at which the air will heat up?
A) 20°C per 1,000m of descent (11ºF per 1,000ft of descent)
B) 10°C per 1,000m of descent (5.5ºF per 1,000ft of descent)
C) 6°C per 1,000m of descent
D) 1°C per 1,000m of descent
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Learning Outcome: 6.24 Distinguish supercooling of water from normal condensation
processes, and explain the significance of supercooled water.
Global Sci Stds: G4
19
47)
Into what family of clouds are cumulus clouds classified?

A) High
B) Middle
C) Low
D) Vertical development
E) Pseudo-fog
20
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.7 Clouds
Learning Outcome: 6.26 Identify the difference between the adiabatic rates, the average lapse
rate, and the environmental lapse rate; 6.27 Given the altitude, temperature, and moisture content
of the air, calculate the temperatures of the air as it moves across a mountain.
Global Sci Stds: G2
48) Which fog type would be expected on a clear, windless morning?

A) Orographic
B) Radiation
C) Advection
D) Upslope
E) Frontal
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.28 Identify and describe the three cloud forms.
Global Sci Stds: G2
21
49)
Which of the following cloud types is in the family of vertical development?

A) Cirrocumulus
B) Cumulus
C) Nimbostratus
D) Cirrus
E) Altostratus
Answer: B
22
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
50) The American states with the highest average annual incidence of fog are located on
________.
A) interior deserts
B) the Pacific coast
C) the central Rockies
D) the Gulf coast
E) the Great Lakes
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.25 Differentiate between the dry adiabatic rate and saturated adiabatic
rate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
23
51)
This figure shows what kind of fog being formed?

A) Adiabatic
B) Radiation
C) Upslope
D) Frontal
E) Evaporation
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.28 Identify and describe the three cloud forms.
Global Sci Stds: G2
52) Which of the following cloud types has the greatest height (from top to bottom)?
A) Cirrus
B) Cumulus
C) Altostratus
D) Stratus
E) Cumulonimbus
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.27 Given the altitude, temperature, and moisture content of the air,
calculate the temperatures of the air as it moves across a mountain.
Global Sci Stds: G2
24
53) Cold air moving over a warmer lake surface will result in a(n) ________ type of fog.
A) advection
B) radiation
C) evaporation
D) convection
E) upslope
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
54) Clouds form if air is ________.

A) cooled to the dew point
B) below freezing
C) stable
D) unstable
E) windy
Answer: A
Diff: 1
humidity.
Global Sci Stds: G2
55) Among cloud types, those that occur at the highest altitudes are the ________.
A) cumulus
B) altocumulus
C) stratus
D) cirrus
E) stratocumulus
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
25
56) When or where is air most likely unstable?
A) Over the poles
B) During the night
C) During the winter
D) During the afternoon
E) In stratiform clouds
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 6.8 Atmospheric Stability
Learning Outcome: 6.29 Identify and describe the ten cloud types.
Global Sci Stds: G2
57) Conditional instability is when the lapse rate of an air parcel is ________.
A) greater than the wet adiabatic lapse rate
B) greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate
C) less than the wet adiabatic lapse rate
D) less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate
E) between the wet and dry adiabatic lapse rate
Answer: E
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G2
26
58)
This figure shows air that is ________.

A) stable
B) unstable
C) conditionally unstable
D) prone to sinking
E) not affected by lifting mechanisms
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G4
59) Showery weather and cumuliform clouds point to the presence of ________.
A) an orographic lift of air
B) an anticyclonic descent of air
C) instability
D) relatively few condensation nuclei
E) atmospheric equilibrium
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.30 Identify and describe the four cloud families.
Global Sci Stds: G2
27
60) Air that resists vertical movement is said to be ________.
A) unstable
B) stable
C) cyclonic
D) anticyclonic
E) adiabatic
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
61) Any buoyant parcel of air is said to exhibit ________.

A) advection
B) stability
C) instability
D) a moist adiabatic lapse rate
E) a dry adiabatic lapse rate
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
62) A lack of atmospheric buoyancy is related to ________.

A) stability
B) instability
C) an adiabatic condition
D) coalescence
E) the dew point depression
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
28
63) Buoyant air will rise until it ________.
A) reaches the stratopause
B) becomes unstable
C) makes clouds
D) becomes warmer
E) reaches the temperature of the surrounding air
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
64) Precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground is known as ________.
A) deposition
B) snow
C) virga
D) graupel
E) updraft water
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 6.9 Precipitation
Learning Outcome: 6.32 Explain how dew forms.
Global Sci Stds: G2
65) In the "ice crystal formation" process, precipitation starts because ice crystals ________.
A) melt as they fall
B) form from raindrops
C) grow at the expense of raindrops
D) hook together
E) have a low specific heat
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
29
66) The GOES satellites monitoring the weather of the United States are ________.
A) no longer used
B) geostationary
C) responsible for x-ray analyses of clouds
D) orbiting Earth at an altitude of 80 kilometers
E) orbiting from pole to pole (polar orbiting)
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
67) Showery precipitation is most closely associated with ________.

A) cirrus clouds
B) stable air
C) non-buoyant air
D) sinking air
E) unstable air
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
68) Hail becomes larger because it collides with ________.

A) ice crystals
B) raindrops
C) sleet
D) supercooled water
E) water vapor
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
30
69) The most common and widespread form of precipitation is ________.
A) rain
B) snow
C) fog
D) sleet
E) hail
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G4
70) By definition, which of the following freezes after it reaches the ground?
A) Rain
B) Hail
C) Snow
D) Sleet
E) Freezing rain
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G4
71) A precipitation type extremely characteristic of lower latitudes is ________.

A) a rain shadow
B) sleet
C) ice crystals
D) convergent lifting
E) frontal lifting
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
31
72) The Bergeron process is also known as the ________ process.
A) acid rain formation
B) ice crystal formation
C) collision/coalescence
D) hail
E) glaze
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.31 Define fog, and name and describe the four types of fog.
Global Sci Stds: G2
32
73)
This figure shows the ________ process of precipitation

A) only
B) ice crystal
C) collision/coalescence
D) hail
E) instability caused
33
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
74) Which is NOT among the main types of atmospheric lifting and precipitation?
A) Convective
B) Orographic
C) Frontal
D) Advective
E) Convergent
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 6.10 Atmospheric Lifting and Precipitation
Learning Outcome: 6.33 Describe the relationship between buoyancy and density.
Global Sci Stds: G2
75) Downwind of large mountain ranges there is less precipitation; this drier zone is called the
________.
A) windward side
B) rain shadow
C) advection side
D) adiabatic area
E) lifting condensation level
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
34
76) A precipitation type extremely characteristic of lower latitudes is ________.
A) a rain shadow
B) sleet
C) ice crystals
D) convergent lifting
E) frontal lifting
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
77) Which of the following would one expect to find associated with low annual precipitation
totals?
A) Fronts
B) Convergence
C) Subtropical highs
D) Convection
E) Mountain ranges
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 6.11 Global Distribution of Precipitation
Learning Outcome: 6.35 Explain the stability situations that influence cloud formation and
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
78) Most regions of the globe receive a ________ maximum of rainfall.

A) summer
B) winter
C) equinoctial (at the equinox)
D) January
E) spring
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.36 Describe and differentiate between the two processes that can produce
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
35
79) The western coasts of continents in the subtropical zones are in ________ precipitation
zones.
A) monsoon
B) high
C) moderate
D) arid
E) snowy
Answer: D
Diff: 1
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
80) Central Asia and western North America experience dryness because of ________.
A) the polar frontal zone
B) a lack of moist air masses
C) cold temperatures
D) the rapid uplift of air
E) the Intertropical Convergence
Answer: B
Diff: 2
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
81) Most of the wettest areas around the world are located in the ________.
A) Tropics
B) continental interiors
C) midlatitude west coasts
D) Southern Hemisphere
E) polar mountains
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 6.34 Differentiate among air stability, instability, and conditional stability.
Global Sci Stds: G2
36
82)
This map shows the ________ region of the United States to have the greatest July precipitation
totals.
A) Great Plains
B) Gulf Coast
C) Rocky Mountains
D) New England
E) West Coast
Answer: B
Diff: 1
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G4
37
83) Which of the following is TRUE concerning precipitation in the interiors of continents?
A) They tend to be wetter than the coastal areas.
B) They tend to have their wettest season in the summer.
C) They tend to have more balanced seasonal precipitation regimes than the coastal areas.
D) They tend to have anticyclonic conditions in the summer.
E) They tend to be without orographic uplift.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
84) In the United States, winter precipitation exceeds summer precipitation ________.
A) in the South
B) in the Midwest
C) in the Rocky Mountains
D) in New England
E) on the West Coast
Answer: E
Diff: 2
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
85) Over the Earth, regions with heavy precipitation normally experience ________ variability.
A) the least
B) the most
C) equinoctial (during the equinox)
D) sunspot
E) no
Answer: A
Diff: 2
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
38
86) The most conspicuous difference between winter and summer precipitation totals is found in
________.
A) the eastern United States
B) the intertropical convergence zone
C) southern and eastern Asia
D) Europe
E) Antarctica
Answer: C
Diff: 2
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
87) Which of the following is found along the western edges of continents 25 degrees from the
equator?
A) Earth's greatest concentrations of precipitation-producing clouds
B) Aridity
C) The rapid rise of air
D) Air that is stable because it is so cold
E) The least variable annual precipitation totals on Earth
Answer: B
Diff: 2
precipitation.
Global Sci Stds: G2
88) Which part of the United States has the worst acid rain problem?
A) The northeastern United States
B) The Great Plains
C) The Rocky Mountains
D) The southwestern United States
E) The northwestern United States
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 6.12 Acid Rain
Global Sci Stds: G2
39
89) Acid rainfall does conspicuous damage to all EXCEPT ________.
A) human health
B) the ozone layer
C) aquatic ecosystems
D) crop production
E) buildings and monuments
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.38 Identify and explain the four types of atmospheric lifting.
Global Sci Stds: G2
90) To lessen the occurrence of acid rain, the United States and Canada signed the bilateral
________.
A) Air Quality Agreement
B) Montreal Protocol
C) Ozone Monitoring Agreement
D) VOC
E) Clean Air Act
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
91) Some parts of Earth appear unaffected when acid rain falls. This is because they ________.
A) channel the runoff into large rivers
B) have few cities and acid rain tends not to affect natural settings
C) have alkaline soils
D) are covered with types of marble
E) are outside of the United States
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
40
92) Acid rain has a pH of less than ________.
A) 1.6
B) 5.6
C) 7.6
D) 12.6
E) 15.6
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
93) Describe the ice crystal process in making precipitation.

Answer: In clouds with mixtures of ice crystals and water droplets, ice crystals grow at the
expense of the water droplets because the saturation vapor pressure is lower over ice than liquid
water. This makes ice fall so that precipitation starts as snow in such clouds.
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
94) Explain how an observer can determine the stability condition of the atmosphere by noticing
cloud types.
Answer: Horizontally developed clouds are indicative of the slow rise of stable air. Vertically
developed clouds point to instability because of the faster, higher rise of air.
Diff: 3
Learning Outcome: 6.30 Identify and describe the four cloud families.
Global Sci Stds: G2
95) ________ is a principal culprit in the formation of acid rain.

Answer: Sulfuric acid, Nitric acid, Smokestack emissions, or Vehicle exhaust
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
41
96) Explain what the pH scale is and how it is used to measure acid rain.
Answer: The pH scale measures the relative concentration of hydrogen ions. It ranges from 0-
14, with the lower numbers being more acidic. Acid rain is considered to be precipitation falling
with a pH of less than 5.6. Geographically, the pH varies widely in the United States.
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G4
97) What are the four families of clouds? Give a specific example of a cloud type from each
family.
Answer: Low (stratus), middle (altostratus), high (cirrus), and clouds of vertical development
(cumulus).
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G2
98) Frontal precipitation is most characteristic of the ________ latitudes.

Answer: middle
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
99) Why is acid rain an important atmospheric pollution concern to Canadians?

Answer: Much of the acidity of precipitation is created by humans. Because much of the
polluting in the northeastern United States is often upwind of populous eastern Canada, the
Canadians experience acid rain and cannot control the sources. Much of this part of Canada is
unbuffered in terms of acid rain, so ecosystems are particularly harmed.
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G2
42
100) Acid rain usually has a pH value of LESS than ________.
Answer: 5.6
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 6.37 Identify each of the types of precipitation, and describe the conditions
that form them.
Global Sci Stds: G2
101) Calculate the specific humidity if the relative humidity is 50% and the capacity of the air
(saturation specific humidity) is 30g/kg.
Answer: 30g/kg times 50% equals15g/kg.
Diff: 2
air.
Global Sci Stds: G4
102) Calculate the relative humidity if the specific humidity is 5g/kg and the capacity of the air
(saturation specific humidity) is 25g/kg.
Answer: 5g/kg divided by 25g/kg times 100% equals 20%.
Diff: 2
air.
Global Sci Stds: G4
103) Relative humidity is a measure of ________.

Answer: how close air is to saturation
Diff: 2
air.
Global Sci Stds: G2
43
104) A knowledge of clouds is important for understanding climate change because ________.
Answer: clouds have an important influence on Earth's radiation budget, and such knowledge
allows us to better understand the causes and effects of climate change.
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
105) Explain why clouds don't fall to the ground.

Answer: The individual pieces are too small to fall (kept aloft by turbulence).
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
106) Cirrus clouds are generally formed above an elevation of ________ kilometers.
Answer: 6
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
107) Precipitation comes from clouds that have ________ in their names.
Answer: nimbus or "nimb"
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
44

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McKnight's Physical Geography, 12e (Hess)

Chapter 6 Atmospheric Moisture

1) Precipitation and evaporation are two components of ________.

5) The hydrologic cycle refers to the ________.

Which energy arrow represents the process of sublimation?

11) The presence of which of the following hastens evaporation?

13) Liquid converts to gas when ________.

14) The transfer of moisture from land to air is termed ________.

22) Usually, the highest relative humidity is ________.

25) Which measure of humidity is a mass-to-mass comparison?

27) Relative humidity is "relative" to ________.

28) ________ is the critical temperature at which saturation is reached.

30) How warm or cold it FEELS to us is the ________ temperature.

34) Supercooled water refers to ________.

Which type of particle is the largest in the figure?

41) Rising air cools at a rate called ________.

44) The average lapse rate in the troposphere ________.

Into what family of clouds are cumulus clouds classified?

48) Which fog type would be expected on a clear, windless morning?

Which of the following cloud types is in the family of vertical development?

This figure shows what kind of fog being formed?

54) Clouds form if air is ________.

This figure shows air that is ________.

61) Any buoyant parcel of air is said to exhibit ________.

62) A lack of atmospheric buoyancy is related to ________.

67) Showery precipitation is most closely associated with ________.

68) Hail becomes larger because it collides with ________.

71) A precipitation type extremely characteristic of lower latitudes is ________.

This figure shows the ________ process of precipitation

78) Most regions of the globe receive a ________ maximum of rainfall.

93) Describe the ice crystal process in making precipitation.

95) ________ is a principal culprit in the formation of acid rain.

98) Frontal precipitation is most characteristic of the ________ latitudes.

99) Why is acid rain an important atmospheric pollution concern to Canadians?

103) Relative humidity is a measure of ________.

105) Explain why clouds don't fall to the ground.

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