1) According to the map below, the ________________ high off of the east coast is likely pumping ________________ air onto the eastern seaboard.
A) Jamaica, mT C) Aruba, mT E) Bermuda, mT B) Jamaica, cT D) Aruba, cT F) Bermuda, cT
Solution to Question #1
E-In the March 2 lecture, we learned about the Bermuda High phenomena. A southeasterly flow of humid, tropical (mT - Maritime Tropical) air will dominate the eastern seaboard. Consider the diagram below:
2) Precipitation is generated in a warm front situation by a mechanism called ________________. A) Inversion lifting C) Convection E) Cycloning B) Vorticity advection D) Overrunning F) Occlusion lifting
Solution to Question #2
D-In a warm front, warm air is pushed aloft over cold air in a mechanism called overrunning. Refer to the March 18 lecture for illustrative diagrams.
3) Refer to the four cross sections below. Which most closely represents that which would be observed with an occluded front?
Solution to Question #3
B-As we learned in lecture, when the warm sector of a mid-latitude synoptic scale cyclone is squeezed aloft as is the case with cross- section B above.
4) Which of the cities below is in the warm sector?
A) Des Moines C) Nashville E) Columbus B) Champaign D) Lexington
Solution to Question #4
D-In a mid-latitude synoptic scale cyclone, the warm sector is the region of warm humid air between the associated warm front and cold front as we learned in the March 20 lecture. Consider the diagram below:
5) The four station models below were recorded in Cleveland, OH on February 12, 1998, a day when a mid-latitude synoptic scale cyclone passed. When during this day do you suspect a cold front passed through Cleveland?
A) Before 8 AM C) Between 1 PM & 5 PM E) After 8 PM B) Between 8 AM & 1 PM D) Between 5 PM & 8 PM
Solution to Question #5
D-After 5 PM, we see a sharp rise in temperature, a clearing of the skies, and a wind direction shift from the southwest to the northwest, all of which are indicative of a cold front passage as was covered in the March 18 lecture.
6) Consider the pressure analysis map of Mississippi below. Which city do you suspect is located closest to a frontal boundary?
A) Jonestown C) Starkville E) Biloxi B) Jackson D) Hattiesburg
Solution to Question #6
B-When diagnosing the presence of a frontal boundary, one of things we look for is "kinking" of the isobars as there will be a low pressure trough at the site of the frontal boundary. Jackson lies closest to this kinking that can clearly be seen on the map.
7) The following table shows cloud observations taken in Norfolk, VA on January 21, 1998.
| Time of Observation | Cloud type |
|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Cirrus |
| 7:00 AM | Cirrostratus |
| 9:00 AM | ??? |
| 11:00 AM | Stratus |
| 1:00 PM | Nimbostratus |
A(n) ________________ was likely approaching Norfolk and at 9 AM, ________________ clouds were most likely visible. A) Warm front, stratocumulus D) Cold front, cumulus B) Hurricane, altocumulus E) Warm front, altostratus C) Occluded front, cumulonimbus F) Occluded front, altocumulus
Solution to Question #7
E-As a warm front approaches, there is an overall lowering and thickening of the clouds as is illustrated below:
8) Which of the following best describes how a mid-latitude synoptic scale cyclone appears in a satellite photograph? A) Comma-shaped C) Circular E) Oval-shaped B) Hexagonal D) Cylindrical F) Orthogonal
Solution to Question #8
A-Look at the satellite photograph below of a mid-latitude synoptic scale cyclone:
Clearly, these systems, when mature, take on a comma-shaped configuration.
9) Refer to the picture below:
Which station is most likely observing altostratus clouds? A) State College C) Harrisburg B) Johnstown D) Hagerstown
Solution to Question #9
A-Johnstown and Harrisburg are most likely in the nimbostratus precipitation shield associated with this warm front. Hagerstown is behind the front, likely in the warm sector. In the warm sector, it is typically unstable, thus the cloud s are usually convection driven and of the cumulo or cumulonimbus variety.
10) The table below shows wind information on a given afternoon in Providence, RI. What type of weather system do you suspect passed through Providence?
| Time | Wind Direction | Wind Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 PM | 100 | 15 knots |
| 11:00 PM | 195 | 12 knots |
| 1:00 PM | 225 | 31 knots |
| 3:00 PM | 239 | 27 knots |
| 5:00 PM | 315 | 30 knots |
A) Warm front C) Mid-latitude synoptic cyclone E) Hurricane B) Cold front D) Stationary front
Solution to Question #10
C-Out ahead of the warm front, there will primarily be a east-southeast flow as is the case at 9:00 AM. After the passage of the warm front, in the warm sector, the flow shifts to the south-southwest, as is the case between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM . Following the passage of the cold front, the winds shift to a more north-northwest direction, as is the case at 5:00 PM. A mid-latitude synoptic scale cyclone likely passed near Providence.
11) An object being used in a scientific experiment is creating a sound wave by vibrating at a frequency of 100 Hz. Every hour, the frequency of the object's vibration triples. How many hours will be required for the frequency of vibration of the object to be beyond the human hearing threshold? A) One C) Three E) Five G) Seven B) Two D) Four F) Six H) Eight
Solution to Question #11
E-Refer to the table below to help you understand the solution to this problem keeping in mind the human hearing threshold is from 20 to 20,000 Hz:
| Time (Hours) | Frequency (Hertz) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 100 |
| 1 | 300 |
| 2 | 900 |
| 3 | 2700 |
| 4 | 8100 |
| 5 | 24,300 |
It will not be until between the fourth and fifth hour that the sound will have a frequency beyond 20,000 Hz, the upper limit of the human hearing threshold. Five hours was the correct response.
12) Which would be required for a thunderstorm to be classified as severe? A) 40 mph wind gusts D) Cloud to cloud lightning B) Fractocumulus clouds E) 3/4" hail C) >5 F dewpoint depression F) <1/4 mile visibility
Solution to Question #12
E-This was covered in one of the thunderstorm lectures. A thunderstorm is considered severe when it contains winds in excess of 50 mph or hail 3/4" in diameter or greater.
13) An air mass thunderstorm will typically be at its strongest when the strength of the __________ is (are) about equal to the strength of the __________. A) Hailstones, raindrops E) Electric charge gradient, reflectivity B) Lightning flashes, thunder F) Icing, vertical motion C) Updrafts, downdrafts G) Stability, instability D) Vorticity, vertical wind shear H) Convection, condensation
Solution to Question #13
C-In a mature air mass thunderstorm, the strength of the updrafts, generated by convection currents, is about equal to the strength of the downdrafts, that have been generated by the downward traveling precipitation particles. Over time, the st rength of the downdrafts becomes stronger than the strength of the updrafts and the storm begins to dissipate.
14) While camping in the woods, you observe that a thunderstorm is approaching. You see a vivid flash of lightning. 5 seconds pass by when you decide to begin counting. You are not a good counter so 1 of your seconds is really equal to 1.5 actual seconds. Your count reaches 10 and you hear thunder. Approximately how far away did the lightning you witnessed strike? A) One mile E) Five miles B) Two miles F) Six miles C) Three miles G) Seven miles D) Four miles H) Eight miles
Solution to Question #14
D-An incompetent camper begins their count 5 seconds after the lightning strikes, and counts 1 second for every real 1.5 seconds. After 10 of their seconds, which would be 10 * 1.5 seconds = 15 seconds. Add that to the 5 seconds that passed be fore counting began = 20 seconds. We learned in lecture that sound travels 1 miles every 5 seconds. 20 seconds / 5 = 4 miles.
15) What was the name of the only hurricane on record to strike every state along the eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida while at hurricane status (winds > 75 mph) and what year did it strike? A) Donna, 1971 E) Donna, 1960 B) Camille, 1953 F) Camille, 1969 C) Agnes, 1972 G) Agnes, 1982 D) Betsy, 1967 H) Betsy, 1955
Solution to Question #15
E-Straightforward lecture material here.
16) Hurricane Fernando passes over the island of Hispa–ola and suffers a 30 % reduction in wind speed. It then passes over western Cuba and its winds are reduced by another 20 %. Currently, its maximum sustained wind speeds are at 80 mph. What category on the Safir-Simpson scale was Fernando when it first reached Hispa–ola? A) One C) Three E) Five B) Two D) Four
Solution to Question #16
D-Before it hit west Cuba, the maximum sustained winds were 20 % higher than 80 mph, which is 80 / .8 = 100 mph. Before it hit Hispanola, Fernando's winds were 30 % higher than 100 mph, which is 100 / .7 = 143 mph. According to the table below , a wind speed of 143 mph would be a Category 4 on the Safir-Simpson scale.
| Category | Maximum sustained winds (mph) | Typical damage assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74-95 | Minor structural damage. Downed trees and powerlines. |
| 2 | 96-115 | Roofs blown off. Major trees toppled. Structural damage to weaker buildings. |
| 3 | 116-135 | Widespread tree and powerline falls. Structural damage to many buildings. |
| 4 | 136-155 | Major devestation. Structural damage to all but the strongest of buildings. Few, if any, trees and powerlines survive. |
| 5 | Greather than 155 | Catastrophic devestation. Widespread severe devestation to all buildings. |
17) In July of a particular Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Curtis ravaged the Lesser Antilles. In October, the seventh tropical system of the season whose sustained winds are 39 mph or above is formed. A few days later, the top sustained winds of this system reach 60 mph. Choosing from the list below, what would be the name of this storm? A) Tropical Storm Floyd G) Tropical Storm Gertrude B) Hurricane Floyd F) Hurricane Gertrude C) Tropical Storm Felicia H) Tropical Storm Harvey D) Hurricane Felicia I) Hurricane Harvey E) Tropical Storm Gus J) Tropical Storm Hillary F) Hurricane Gus K) Hurricane Hillary
Solution to Question #17
E-A tropical system receives a name once its maximum sustained winds reach 39 mph. At that point it is classified as a tropical storm. Once its maximum sustained winds reach 75 mph, it is classified as a hurricane. Storms are na med from A-Z throughout the year and the storm names altername male-female-male-female, etc. Curtis would be the third storm of the year. The seventh storm of the year would begin with a G. Winds of 60 mph would still have the stor m classified as a Tropical Storm. That leaves us with Tropical Storm Gus or Tropical Storm Gertrude to choose from. The C storm was Curtis, a male name. Therefore, the D storm would be female, E male, F female, and G male. Tropical Storm Gus is the correct response.
18) Consider the map below. Which city will likely experience the worst storm surge from the approaching hurricane that is traveling due west at a speed of 10 mph?
A) Jacksonville C) Cocoa Beach E) West Palm Beach B) Daytona Beach D) Melbourne
Solution to Question #18
B-Winds will flow counterclockwise around the hurricane in the northern hemisphere. The storm will impact somewhere midway between Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach. On the northern side of the storm, the winds will be off of the ocean, hen ce water will be piled higher onto the beach than on the southern portion of the storm where the winds will be off of the land. Daytona Beach is clearly the correct response.
19) In __________, Hurricane __________ spawned tornadoes in Florida which killed many people. The storm continued northward as a tropical storm and caused severe flooding in the Middle Atlantic States and upstate New York. A) 1992, Andrew E) 1980, David B) 1989, Hugo F) 1972, Agnes C) 1988 Gilbert G) 1970, Betsy D) 1985, Kate H) 1957, Audrey
Solution to Question #19
F-Hurricane Agnes killed many Floridians by tornadoes and caused over $ 2 billion in damage in June 1972.
20) In lecture, we learned that Hurricane Gilbert set the all-time record low barometric pressure reading for the western hemisphere. It also ravaged the island nation of: A) Barbados C) Cape Verde E) St. Lucia B) Grenada D) Jamaica F) Trinidad & Tobago
Solution to Question #20
D-Gilbert ravaged Jamaica, then re-emerged into the Caribbean Sea and became a monsterous Category 5 Hurricane. It then struck Cozumel and Cancun and caused tremendous damage to their then blossoming tourism industry. That was back in Fall of 1988.
21) The worst natural disaster in the history of the United States took place in a hurricane that struck (the) __________ in the year __________. A) Mobile, AL, 1969 E) Charleston, SC, 1989 B) Corpus Christi, TX, 1907 F) Galveston, TX, 1900 C) Florida Keys, 1935 G) Homestead, FL, 1992 D) Miami, FL, 1960 H) Hilo, HI, 1976
Solution to Question #21
F-The 1900 Galveston Hurricane caused over 6000 deaths and caught many coastal Texans by surprise as that was before the days of satellites and radar.
22) __________ is so poisonous because __________ in your blood will bond this pollutant 300 times quicker than oxygen. A) Methane, potassium E) Carbon dioxide, iron B) Carbon monoxide, hemoglobin F) Ozone, freon C) Nitrogen oxide, magnesium G) Chlorine, globulin D) Nitric acid, nitroglycerin H) Sulfur oxide, zinc
Solution to Question #22
B-We learned about carbon monoxide in lecture when we talked about gases that were created during fossil fuel combustion.
23) The chemical reaction below is an example of a __________ reaction. CH4 + O2 ---> heat + __________ + __________ A) Nuclear fusion, carbon monoxide, nitrogen B) Nuclear fission, carbon dioxide, freon C) Combustion, carbon dioxide, water D) Chloroflourocarbonation, methane, electrons E) Acid rain, acidic rain water, acidic salt F) Chlorination, purified water, salt
Solution to Question #23
C-When a hydrocarbon (a substance composed of hydrogen and carbon such as fossil fuels) is burned in the presence of oxygen, heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor are the by-products. The above reaction would be an example of perfect combustion . CH4 is called methane and is a basic hydrocarbon. When hydrocarbons are burned with oxygen in the presence of other gases, such as atmospheric nitrogen, other gases are created as well as CO2 and H2O including several varieties of pollutants.
24) Use the following table to help you answer the question:
| Element | Molecular Weight (grams/mole) |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen | 1 |
| Sulfur | 32 |
| Oxygen | 16 |
| Nitrogen | 7 |
2 moles of sulfuric acid gas are released into a container that has a volume of 32 cubic meters. What is the concentration of sulfuric acid gas in the container in milligrams per cubic meter? A) 6,125 E) 3,140 B) 3 F) 47 C) 13,000 G) 103,121 D) 1,413 H) 13,761
Solution to Question #24
A-The formula for sulfuric acid is H2SO4, meaning one molecule of H2SO4 contains 2 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulfur atom, and 4 oxygen atoms. The steps below show how to solve this problem:
25) Consider the four Skew-T diagrams below. In which instance would an urban air pollution episode likely be the most severe?
Solution to Question #25
D-An inversion situation exists in case D. In an inversion, stability exists, hence heavier gases will tend to nestle toward the surface. Inversions generally correspond with more severe air pollution episodes.
Questions on any of the essay questions below should be directed to me (Ed).
ESSAY QUESTION WORK NEATLY!!! (25 points)
Choose ONE of the following questions and answer it as completely as possible:
1) Fully explain a mid-latitude synoptic scale system. Then, sketch the following:
2) Explain in full detail, with sketches if possible, the entire life cycle of an air mass thunderstorm including development, maturity, and decay. Incorporate hail into your discussion. Also, offer a discussion of how lightning and thunder are form ed.
3) Explain in full detail, with sketches if possible, the entire life cycle of a hurricane. Also, offer a discussion of at least 3 hurricanes we discussed in lecture.
4) Offer in-depth accountings of the following phenomena:
Include a discussion of the actual physical and chemical mechanisms that are causing these problems. I am looking for a scientific explanation here.
5) Solve the following problems to the best of your ability and show all work: A hemisphere shaped arena has a diameter of 120 meters. The temperature of the arena is 70( F and the barometric pressure is 1012 mb. 10 moles of sulfur dioxide (molecular weight=64 gram/mole) escape into the arena through the ventilation system. What is the mixing ratio of sulfur dioxide in the arena once it has had time to fully disperse throughout the arena assuming none escapes? Hints: Use units of Kelvin for temperature ((C = (5/9)*( (F-32), (K = (C+273) R=287 Use units of Pascals for pressure (100 Pascals = 1 mb) Mixing ratio of X = mass of X divided by mass of air Volume of sphere = (4/3)*¹*r^3