ASSIGNMENT 3
Textbook Assignment:
“Air Masses and Fronts.” Chapter 4, Pages 4-1 through 4-31.
3-1.
What two factors are necessary to produce an
air mass?
1.
Anticyclonic
circulation
and
non-
homogeneous properties of temperature,
lapse rate and moisture
2.
Large divergent flow and a widespread
body of relatively uniform air
3.
Uniform surface and relative humidity
4.
Moisture and heat
3-2.
Why are anticyclonic circulations most favor-
able for air mass development?
1.
The horizontal outflow of air affects a
much larger area
2.
The air moves slowly or is stagnant,
making it easier for the air to assume the
characteristics of the underlying surface
3.
The subsidence associated with these
circulations is favorable for lateral mixing,
thereby
bringing
about
horizontal
homogeneity
4.
All of the above are reasons
3-3.
The properties an air mass acquires in its
source region are dependent on a number of
factors. Which of the following is NOT a factor
in determining air mass properties?
1.
Time of year
2.
Type of surface (land, water, ice)
3.
Length of time the air mass remains over
the region
4.
Circulation pattern
3-4.
Which air mass has its source region between
10°N lat. and 10°S lat.?
1.
T
2.
A
3.
P
4.
E
3-5.
Monsoon air is REALLY one of two air masses
depending on the time of year. Which two air
masses make up monsoon air?
1.
cP and mT
2.
cP and E
3.
mP and E
4.
mP and mT
3-6.
On what factors are air mass classifications
based?
1.
Temperature, humidity, and wind
2.
Season, latitude, and source region
3.
Geographic origin, moisture content, and
thermodynamic process
4.
Geographic
origin,
temperature,
and
humidity
3-7.
A cP air mass moves south out of its source
region in Canada and invades the south central
U.S. How would this air mass most likely be
classified thermodynamically?
1.
Moist Cm)
2.
Cold (k)
3.
Warm (w)
4.
Cool (c)
3-8.
How is the stability of an air mass affected, if at
all, when it leaves source region?
1.
It is increased only
2.
It is decreased only
3.
It may be increased or decreased
4.
It is not affected
3-9.
It is February, and a very cold continental polar
air mass pushes south over tropical waters.
Which, if any, of the following changes is most
likely to occur within the air mass?
1.
A decrease in water vapor content takes
place
2.
The lower layers are cooled by conduction
3.
An increase in stability occurs
4.
None of the above
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