Question 1

Which of the following best describes atmospheric pressure at sea level?

Accepted Answer

It is the weight of a column of air above a given point, typically measured as 1013.25 millibars (mb).

Question 2

A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. If the atmospheric pressure increases, what happens to the height of the mercury column in a barometer?

Accepted Answer

The height of the mercury column increases.

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents the calculation of pressure in terms of force and area?

Accepted Answer

$$P = \frac{F}{A}$$

Question 4

Why does atmospheric pressure decrease rapidly with altitude?

Accepted Answer

There is less air above a given point as altitude increases, so the weight of the air column decreases.

Question 5

On a weather map, what does it mean when isobars are closely packed together?

Accepted Answer

There is a strong pressure gradient force and high wind speeds.

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct direction of wind flow due to the pressure gradient force (PGF)?

Accepted Answer

From areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, perpendicular to isobars.

Question 7

Which force is responsible for the deflection of moving air due to Earth's rotation, and how does it affect wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis force; it deflects winds to the right of their path.

Question 8

A geostrophic wind occurs when which two forces are in balance?

Accepted Answer

Pressure gradient force and Coriolis force

Question 9

In the upper atmosphere, why do winds tend to flow parallel to isobars rather than directly from high to low pressure?

Accepted Answer

Because the Coriolis force balances the pressure gradient force, resulting in geostrophic flow.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why surface winds cross isobars at an angle toward lower pressure?

Accepted Answer

Friction slows the wind, reducing the Coriolis effect and allowing the pressure gradient force to dominate.

Question 11

During the day, a sea breeze develops because:

Accepted Answer

Land heats up faster than water, causing lower pressure over land and wind to blow from sea to land.

Question 12

Which of the following is true about cyclones and anticyclones in the Northern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

Cyclones have counterclockwise winds and anticyclones have clockwise winds.

Question 13

A valley breeze is most likely to occur under which conditions?

Accepted Answer

During the day, when mountain slopes are heated by the Sun, causing air to rise upslope.

Question 14

If the pressure at point A is 1020 mb and at point B (100 km away) is 1000 mb, what is the pressure gradient between A and B?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{1020\ 	ext{mb} - 1000\ 	ext{mb}}{100\ 	ext{km}} = 0.2\ 	ext{mb/km}$$

Question 15

Which of the following scenarios would result in the strongest wind speeds?

Accepted Answer

A large pressure difference over a short distance (closely spaced isobars).

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a factor that causes pressure differences in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Salinity

Question 17

If friction is removed from the surface wind system, what is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

Winds would flow parallel to isobars as geostrophic winds.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the effect of the Coriolis force on wind speed?

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis force increases with wind speed.

Question 19

A mountain breeze is most likely to occur:

Accepted Answer

At night, when mountain slopes cool rapidly and air flows downslope into the valley.

Atmospheric Pressure and Wind: Principles and Mechanisms

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