GEOG 1001 Midterm 2 Study Questions Exam will be on Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at 11a – 12:15p in Hale 270 Note: The questions on this document only serve as a study guide. This guide is in no way intended be an example of the test, nor is it all inclusive of possible topics that may be covered on the test. It is only a guide. Define/identify: Pressure gradient force Coriolois force Isobar Geostrophic winds ITCZ Hadley Cell Trade winds Anemometer Pacific high Anti-cyclone Thermohaline Polarity Latent heat Relative humidity Vapor pressure Adiabatic cooling Cloud-condensation nuclei Cloud types and characteristics Weather Front Lifting mechanisms Rain shadow Infiltration Percolation Hydrologic cycle Potential evapotranspiration Water balance Wilting point Porosity Hydrograph Cone of depression Watershed Flowpath El Nino N. American monsoons Critical Thinking: List and give an example for each of the four atmospheric lifting mechanisms. Where in North America might you expect each of these mechanisms to be dominant? Buffalo NY has a higher average snowfall in the winter than Toronto (Canada), even though both cities are at roughly the same latitude and longitude and are located at a lake shore. Briefly give the location of the cities and explain why this happens. Explain the Köppen Climate classification. Focus on 1) the criteria and 2) hierarchy of the classification, its 3) benefits and 4) drawbacks, 5) its main climate exceptions (if any) Describe the weather conditions and characteristics of this weather map (below). Why is it so rainy in the northeast U.S.? What can we expect weather conditions to be like in Colorado for the next day or so? What is driving the light precipitation that we see in S. California/NW Mexico?Describe the formation of precipitation that occurs in a rising parcel of dry air. In your answer, please define and address each of the following keywords: 1) dry adiabatic rate, 2) dewpoint, 3) condensation, 4) latent heat, 5) clouds & 6) moist adiabatic rate. Sample Questions: The arid/semi-arid climate classification: A. has low potential evapotranspiration B. occupy only 10% of the Earth’s land area C. has decreased precipitation during el nino years in the southwestern US D. is the only climate zone with a permanent moisture deficit E. All of the above The el nino southern oscillation is evident by: A. A weakening of the tradewinds which blow from east to west along the equatorial pacific B. increases in sea surface temperature across the eastern Pacific ocean. C. Increased precipitation in southern portions of the Western US. D. b & c only are correct. E. a,b, and c are correct. What are the two basic criteria for cloud classification? a. Density and shape b. Altitude and shape c. Altitude and latitude d. Latitude and density The main factors that account for the direction of winds at land-sea areas (i.e. sea shores) are: A. The direction where sun radiation is coming from B. The angle of the sun radiation C. The differences in cooling between water and land D. The differences in heating between water and land E. Both C &
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