SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 26

Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS (LET)
REFRESHER COURSE

WHAT TO EXPECT

SPECIALIZATION:

AREA: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco

LET Competencies:

1. Characterize the different layers of Earth’s atmosphere.

2. Infer how bodies of water are interrelated.
3. Analyze how the interaction of Earth’s surface, water and air affect weather and climate.
4. Differentiate the types of weather disturbances.

Prepared by: Dr. Gloria L. Follosco

PART I – CONTENT UPDATE

PART I – CONTENT UPDATE

PART I: CONTENT UPDATES

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and
climate. Weather is the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place. It is described in terms of the
following atmospheric conditions: temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, cloud cover,
humidity, and precipitation. Before understanding these elements of weather, an understanding of the
composition and structure of the atmosphere is necessary.

COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE

The earth’s atmosphere consists of mixture of gases that surrounds the earth. The major
composition of air is not constant. It varies from place to place and from time to time. Nitrogen and
Oxygen are the most plentiful components of air (78 % of air is Nitrogen and 21 % is Oxygen, making up
already 99 % of the atmosphere), but these are of minor importance in affecting the weather and climate.
The remaining 1% of dry air is mostly inert gas Argon (0.93 %) and small quantities of a number of gases
including carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, although present in only very small amount (0.036 %), has the
ability to absorb heat radiated by Earth and helps keep the atmosphere warm.

Water vapor, dust particles, and ozone also present in air can have significant effects on weather
and climate. Water vapor is the source of all clouds and precipitation, so, although the amount is small
(varies from 0 to about 4 % by volume), it is a significant component of the atmosphere. Water vapor, like
carbon dioxide, has the ability to absorb radiation from the earth’s surface.

Aerosols are tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Many of these particles act as
surfaces on which water vapor can condense, which is an important function in the formation of clouds
and fog. These surfaces which are functioning as surfaces for condensation are known as condensation
nuclei. Aerosols can also absorb or reflect incoming solar radiation.

Ozone (O3), a form of oxygen that combines three atoms into each molecule, although very little
in amount within the atmosphere absorbs the potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

26
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 27
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Structure of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided vertically into four layers on the basis of altitude and temperature.
From the surface of the earth, these are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

The troposphere, the bottom layer in which we live, is the chief focus of meteorologists because
it is in this layer that weather patterns and changes occur. In the troposphere, temperature decreases as
altitude increases.

For meteorologists, this layer is very important, so it is their main focus of observation. The
reason is that it is where all weather phenomena happen. The thickness of the troposphere varies with
altitude and the season. It is thicker at the lower part and becomes thinner as altitude increases.

Beyond the troposphere is the stratosphere. It is bounded by the tropopause. In the

tropopause, temperature remains constant. In the stratosphere, temperature gradually increases as
altitude increases. This is because the ozone is found in this layer. Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation
from the sun but, reradiate this as infrared radiation.

In the mesosphere, the temperature again decreases as altitude increases. But, this decrease in
temperature is up to 80 km from the sea level. The upper boundary of the mesosphere is the mesopause.

Beyond the mesopause and having no well-defined upper boundary is the thermosphere. The
air is already very thin in this layer. Solar energy absorbed causes the particles of air to move fast. The
temperature, thus, increases as altitude increases.

Mechanism of Heat Transfer

Matter, whether it is in solid, liquid or gaseous state is composed of atoms, which are in constant
motion. Because of this, matter has thermal energy. As matter is heated, motion of the atoms changes. It
is the average motion of these particles that determines the temperature of an object. There are 3 ways
on how heat is transferred: by conduction, convection and radiation.

Conduction is the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity. The energy is transferred
through collision from one atom to another with heat flowing from the higher to the lower temperature.
Metals are good conductors of heat, but fluids (liquids and gases) are not. Conduction also takers place
when heat is transferred from the Earth’s surface to the air directly in contact with the surface. This heat
gained by the lower layer of the atmosphere through conduction is most often transferred by convection
through the upper part.

Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of a mass of substance from one place to
another, which can only, takes place in fluids. It is responsible for the redistribution of heat from equator to
the Polar Regions and from surface upwards.

Radiation is a way of transferring heat from the sun to the planets and others. The energy from
the sun consists of electromagnetic radiation of different frequency. All radiation is capable of transmitting
energy through the vacuum at 3 x 108 m/s.

Heating the Atmosphere

Our atmosphere is largely transparent to solar radiation. Only 25 % of the direct solar radiation
penetrates directly into the earth’s surface. The rest is either absorbed by the atmosphere, scattered
about until it reaches the earth’s surface and returned to space or reflected by clouds to space.

Although solar energy travels in straight line it encounters dust and gases, which redirect their
paths. This is called scattering, which is responsible for the bluish color or our sky. The light, on the other
hand, that reaches the earth’s surface after having its direction changed is called diffused light.

About 30 % of solar radiation reaching the outer atmosphere is reflected back to space. This
fraction of solar radiation that is reflected from the surface is called albedo.

Gases in the atmosphere are selective absorbers. This means that they absorb greatly some
radiation in some wavelength and slightly in other. Oxygen and Ozone are good absorbers of ultraviolet
radiation. This is why in the stratosphere (a layer in the atmosphere where zone is situated) a high
temperature is encountered.

About 50% of solar energy that strikes the top of the atmosphere reaches the Earth’s surface
directly or indirectly (diffused) and is absorbed. Most of this energy is reradiated upward in longer
wavelength.
27
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 28
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Water vapor and carbon dioxide are efficient absorbers of long wavelength radiation. This
accounts for the warm temperature found in the lower troposphere, where the two gases are highly
concentrated. Because the atmosphere is quite transparent to shorter wavelength terrestrial radiation, the
atmosphere is heated from the ground up rather than vise versa. This explains the drop in temperature
with increasing altitude experienced in the troposphere.

The Earth’s surface is covered mostly by water. That is why it is often referred to as the blue
planet. About 71 % of the Earth’s surface is represented by oceans and seas. A view of Earth would
reveal that oceans and seas are interconnected. The five biggest bodies of water are the Pacific Ocean,
Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Antarctic Ocean.

The oceans play an important role in our global climate. Waters in the ocean are constantly in
motion. Ocean surface water is set in motion horizontally by the wind. This generates surface currents
whose direction follows the direction of the wind were it not for the effect of the rotation of the Earth.
Rotation of the earth deflects surface currents moving in clockwise nearly circular pattern in the Northern
Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Surface currents in each major ocean
bring seawater to different parts of the world.

Wind also causes vertical motion of surface water. This is called upwelling, where cold water
rises from the deeper layers to replace warmer surface water. Upwelling brings nutrients to the surface
which is beneficial to fish population because it promotes growth of plankton.

Deep ocean circulation is due to differences in density of seawater. Temperature and salinity are
important factors in changing the density of seawater. A mass of cold (denser) surface water sinks to the
ocean bottom. Cooling of this surface water is due to heat loss to the atmosphere or due to removal of
water by evaporation. The denser water that sinks displaces less dense water which, then, moves back
toward the zone where cold water formed. The sources of cold surface water are the Arctic and Antarctic
oceans. Water here flows away and is replaced by warmer water from lower latitudes. This deep ocean
circulation is a global happening and it takes centuries for surface water that sinks to return to the surface
again, or for the deep water that rises to return to the ocean bottom again.

Ocean currents are important for the effect they have on world climates. Warm ocean currents
moving toward the pole has a moderating effect during winter in middle latitudes. Cold currents, on the
other hand, have an effect in the tropics all year round, but the greatest effect is in summer.

Elements of Weather

You are witnesses to the day to day changes in the condition of our atmosphere. One day the sky
is clear, but the following day, we can have rain and clouds. This day to day change in the condition of the
atmosphere at any location is called weather. For PAGASA to make accurate forecasts of the weather,
certain factors must be observed. These are the elements of the weather.

Temperature is the average kinetic energy of the particles of a substance. Temperature of the
atmosphere varies from place to place and from time to time. This variation is mainly caused by
differences in the receipt of solar radiation. A temperature is measured by an instrument called
thermometer, which is situated in a shelter to protect it from direct sunlight. In addition to the standard
mercury thermometer is a thermograph, which makes a continuous record of temperature and a set of
minimum-maximum thermometer that records the highest, and the lowest temperature in a day.

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above it. As you go higher
from the sea level lesser air is found, so air pressure decreases. Atmospheric pressure is measured using
a barometer. Measurement of pressure is usually expressed in terms of the column of mercury in mercury
barometer, but meteorologists use a unit called the millibar.

The two types of pressure centers are the cyclone and the anticyclone. Cyclones or lows are
centers of low pressure while anticyclones or highs are centers of high pressure.

In low pressure centers, air rises and cools adiabatically, so, their passage is usually associated
with cloudy conditions and precipitation, while in high pressure centers, as air descends, it is compressed
and warmed. Fair weather is usually associated with highs.

Wind speed and direction.

28
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 29
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Air pressure does not only change at varying altitude. At the same latitude there could also be
differences in pressure of air. Unequal heating of the earth’s surface causes pressure differences. When
there is a difference in pressure of air, air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. This
horizontal motion of air is called wind. Although air moves horizontally, due to earth’s rotation and friction
between moving air and Earth’s surface and the amount of change in pressure, wind direction is altered.

Wind changes speed and direction. Anemometer measures wind speed while wind vane indicates
direction.

Local winds are those produced in a small scale. Examples of local winds are sea breeze and
land breeze, and valley breeze and mountain breeze.

Winds are named by the direction from which they blow.

Humidity is the general term used to describe the amount of water vapor in the air. The most
familiar term used to describe the amount of water vapor is relative humidity. It is the measure of the
actual amount of water vapor in air compared to the amount of water vapor the air can hold at a given
temperature. It is usually expressed in percent. The water vapor capacity of air decreases as temperature
decreases.

Hygrometer is an instrument used to measure humidity. Psychrometer is a type of hygrometer

consisting of two identical bulbs

Cloudiness helps us tell what kind of weather is coming. Clouds are the most observable aspect
of the atmosphere and its weather.

Clouds are classified based on form and height. In terms of form, clouds may be cirrus, stratus, or
cumulus.

Cirrus clouds are high, white and thin clouds. They occur as patches or as delicate like sheets
or are feathery in appearance.

Stratus clouds are best described as sheets or layers that cover much of the sky. There are
distinct individual cloud units, only minor breaks.

Cumulus clouds consist of globular individual cloud masses and normally exhibit a flat base.
They have the appearance of rising domes or towers and frequently described as having cauliflower
structure.

In terms of height, clouds may be high, middle, or low cloud, and cloud of vertical development.

All other clouds reflect one of the three basic forms or are combinations or modifications of them.

Precipitation is condensed water vapor that falls to the ground. Forms of precipitation vary
because atmospheric conditions vary greatly from place to place and seasonally. Rain and snow are the
most common forms of precipitation. Other forms include hail, mist, sleet, and glaze, among others. In the
Philippines, the most common form of precipitation is rain. There could also be hail.

Below are some terms used by meteorologists in weather forecasting:

 Daily mean temperature: determined by adding the maximum and the minimum temperatures
and then dividing by 2.

 The monthly mean: is calculated by adding together the daily means for each day of the month
and dividing by the number of days in the month.

 The annual mean: an average of 12 monthly means.

 Annual temperature range: is computed by finding the difference between the highest and the
lowest monthly means.

Weather Disturbances

Tropical Cyclone
Type Wind speed
Depression Less than 60 kph
Tropical storm 60 – 118 kph
Typhoon 118 kph or more

29
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 30
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Severe and Local Storms

 Tornadoes are brief but extremely violent whirling storms, most likely to occur on a hot humid day
when cumulonimbus clouds cover the entire sky.

 Thunderstorms are characterized by strong upward currents of moist air and by the formation of
cumulonimbus clouds.

Climate

Climate is the average condition of the atmosphere over long period of time. This involves large
bodies of air characterized by the same temperature and moisture at any given latitude, called air
masses.

Air masses are named based on the nature of origin of source or the latitude of source region.
When the origin is land, it is designated continental. When the origin is over water, it is designated as
maritime. Based on latitude, polar air masses originate in high latitudes, while tropical air masses
originate in low latitudes.

According to the classification scheme, the basic types of air masses are continental polar,
continental tropical, maritime polar, and maritime tropical.

If air mass originates over land, it is dry while if over water, it is humid. If air mass originates in
high latitudes, it is cold, while if it originates in low latitudes, it is warm.

Fronts are boundaries that separate air masses of different temperatures. Cold front forms
where cold air is actively advancing into a region occupied by warmer air. Warm front forms where warm
air occupies a territory formerly covered by cooler air.

PART II – ANALYZING TEST ITEMS

PART II – ANALYZING TEST ITEMS

PART II: ANALYZING TEST ITEMS

1. What component of the atmosphere is responsible for the weather changes?

a. Nitrogen c. Particulates
b. Oxygen d. Water vapor
Particulates
c. Water vapor
Correct Answer: d
Although water vapor constitutes only a small fraction of the gases in the atmosphere, it is the
source of all clouds and precipitation. Water vapor transports latent heat of water from one region
to another. This is the energy source that helps power many storms.

Choices a, b: Although the two gases, nitrogen and oxygen are the most abundant in the
atmosphere they do not play important role in changing the day to day condition
of the atmosphere. They are, however, significant to life on earth.

Choice c: Particulates help in the formation of precipitation. They act as surfaces on which
water vapor can condense. They can also absorb or reflect incoming solar
radiation, reducing the amount of sunlight reaching Earth’s surface. But, without
water vapor in the air, even if there are particulates or dust particles in the air,
there will be nothing to condense, hence, no precipitation.

2. The presence of ozone layer in our atmosphere is of vital importance to those of us on Earth.
Why?
30
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 31
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

a. Ozone makes life on Earth uninhabitable.

b. Ozone reflects incoming radiation from the sun.
c. Ozone absorbs the potentially harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.
d. Ozone contributes to a phenomenon we all observe- red and orange color of sunset and
sunrise.

Correct choice: c
Ozone absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays from the sun, so a little only reaches the troposphere.
Too much ultraviolet rays are harmful. It can cause cancer of the skin and cataract.

Choice a: Without ozone life on earth would be uninhabitable.

Choice b: Ozone actually allows incoming radiation from the sun to pass through, except
UV which it absorbs.

Choice d: Its aerosols or particulates that contribute to the red and orange color of sunrise
and sunset.

3. The atmosphere is divided vertically into four layers on the basis of temperature. In which of the
four layers is the air thickest?
a. Mesosphere c. Thermosphere
b. Stratosphere d. Troposphere
Thermosphere
c. Troposphere

Correct choice: d
The atmosphere consists of gas particles which are held around the earth by gravitational pull of
the earth. The troposphere, being the lowest layer of the atmosphere naturally contains gases,
mostly the heavier ones. Lighter gases stay farther from the earth’s surface.

Choices: a, b, c: Since the other layers are farther from the earth’s surface, gas particles
here are fewer.

4. During the night warm air blows from the beach to the sea. What do you call this local wind?
a. Land breeze c. Sea breeze
b. Mountain breeze d. Valley breeze
c. Sea breeze
Valley breeze

Correct choice: a
Local winds are small scale winds produced by a locally generated temperature difference that
arise because of uneven heating of earth’s surface which in turn generate pressure variations. In
nighttime, water is warmer than the land, so, air rises creating low pressure area over the sea.
Since air moves from area of higher pressure to area of lower pressure, air moves from the over
the land to the sea. Recall that wind is named from where it comes from, so, land breeze.

Choice c: It happens during the day where land is warmer than water, so, since air over the
land is less dense than air over water, it rises creating low pressure area. Air,
then moves from the sea.

Choices b, d: Creation of valley and mountain breezes applies the principle of uneven heating
of air. However, here, heating is due to which is more exposed to sunlight. Since
during the day, the mountain side is more exposed to sunlight, air over the
mountain side is warmer. At night, the reverse happens.

5. A cold air comes in contact with the warm ground. What happens to the air?
a. It gets colder. c. Its temperature remains the same.
b. It gets warmer. d. Its density increases.
Its temperature remains the same.
c. Its density increases.
Correct choice: b
When a cold body comes in contact with warm body, there will be transfer of energy from the
body of higher temperature to a body of lower temperature. In this case, energy transfers from
the warm ground to the cold air making the air warmer than before. Its temperature increases.

31
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 32
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Choices a, c: Please see explanation for the correct choice.

Choice d: Air becomes warmer. Warm air has low density.

6. Ozone is one of the components of the Earth’s atmosphere. Which of the following is TRUE
about ozone in our atmosphere?
a. Ozone is the same as oxygen we breathe.
b. Ozone is evenly distributed in our atmosphere.
c. Ozone is formed when an electric discharge is passed through molecular oxygen.
d. Ozone is created when a molecule of oxygen (O 2) and another molecule of oxygen (O2)
collide in the presence of a third, neutral molecule.

7. In which layer is the atmospheric pressure greatest?

a. Mesosphere c. Thermosphere
b. Stratosphere d. Troposphere
Thermosphere
c. Troposphere

8. In the troposphere what happens to the temperature as altitude increases?

a. It increases.
b. It decreases.
c. It remains the same.
d. It increases, then, at certain height, it decreases.

9. In which layer of the atmosphere do all the weather changes happen?

a. Mesosphere c. Thermosphere
b. Stratosphere d. Troposphere
Thermosphere
c. Troposphere

10. Why does temperature in the stratosphere increase as altitude increases?

a. Very short-wave, high energy solar radiation is absorbed by atoms of oxygen and
nitrogen.
b. Radiation from the Earth’s surface is absorbed by the atoms of ozone.
c. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is absorbed by the atoms of ozone.
d. Pressure of the atmosphere decreases as altitude increases.

11. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the atmosphere?

a. It is the layer in which weather occurs.
b. It is the layer that contains the ozone layer.
c. It is the layer of water in the oceans.
d. It is the layer of gases that surrounds the earth.
1?
12. Climate is determined by which of the following factors?
a. Temperature and pressure c. Precipitation and pressure
b. Temperature and cloud cover d. Temperature and precipitation
Precipitation and pressure
c. Temperature and precipitation

13. What causes the change in temperature in the thermosphere as altitude increases?
a. Direct solar radiation
b. Radiation from the surface of the earth
c. Absorption of ultraviolet rays from the sun
d. Too much water vapor content of the air

14. Relative humidity is the ratio of the air’s actual water vapor content to its potential water vapor
capacity at a given temperature. If air is saturated, how do you describe the air’s relative
humidity?
a. Changing c. Low
b. High d. Medium
Low
c. Medium
15. Clouds are visible indication of what is going on in the atmosphere? All of the following are
indicated by cumulonimbus clouds EXCEPT ___.
a. fair weather c. more precipitation

32
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 33
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

b. thunderstorm d.
more precipitation
c. vertical formation of clouds

16. For condensation to occur, air must be saturated. Saturation of air takes place when either of the
following happens EXCEPT ___.
a. when air is cooled to its dew point
b. when water vapor is added to air
c. there is downward movement of air
d. there is a surface on which water vapor can condense
17. Relative humidity depends on two factors: temperature and amount of moisture added to or
removed from air. Which does NOT happen if temperature is changed?
a. When temperature is increased, relative humidity is increased.
b. When air is cooled beyond dew point more moisture is held, thus increasing relative
humidity.
c. Cooling of air beyond dew point produces precipitation in the form of clouds, dew, or fog.
d. When temperature is lowered relative humidity remains the same.
18. Clouds are classified on the basis of their form and height. Which of the following does not belong
to the group?
a. Altocumulus c. Cirrostratus
b. Cirrocumulus d. Cirrus
c.
Cirrostratus
Cirrus

19. Some of the incoming radiation from the sun is reflected back to space. What is the fraction of the
total radiation encountered that is reflected by a surface called?
a. Albedo c. Greenhouse effect
b. Diffused light d. Ultraviolet radiation
Greenhouse effect
c. Ultraviolet radiation
20. What is the correct arrangement of the solar radiation from the least to the greatest frequency?
a. Microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, x – ray, gamma
b. Gamma, x – ray, ultraviolet, infrared, microwave
c. Gamma, ultraviolet, infrared, microwave, x – ray
d. Microwave, x – ray, ultraviolet, gamma, infrared

21. Tornadoes are local storms of short duration ranked high among nature’s most destructive forces.
Which are NOT produced by tornadoes?
a. Air mass c. Heavy rainfall
b. Damaging hail d. High winds
Heavy rainfall
c. High winds
22-25. Arrange the following sequence in the idealized global air circulation:
a. The heated equatorial air would rise until it reaches the tropopause which, would then, be
deflected poleward.
b. Two large thermally produced cells would form.
c. The air that sinks move back toward the equator.
d. The upper level air flow that reach the poles sink and spread out in all directions at the
surface.

33
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 34
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART III – ENHANCING TEST TAKING SKILLS

PART III – ENHANCING TEST TAKING SKILLS

PART III: PRACTICE TEST

1. As the westerlies move poleward, they encounter the cool polar easterlies in the region of the
subpolar low. In the statement, which of the following happens?
a. The air starts from the eastern side of the polar region.
b. The air starts from the west and moves toward the pole.
c. The air that is encountered goes to the eastern side of the polar region.
d. The air that is encountered comes from the eastern side of the polar region.

2. Wind is the horizontal flow of air. What is the underlying cause of wind?
a. Varying amount of water vapor in the air c. Rotation of the Earth
b. Unequal heating of the earth’s surface d. Ocean currents
c. Rotation of the Earth
d. Ocean currents

3. Which of the following is NOT a form of precipitation?

a. Condensed water vapor c. Rain
b. Hail d. Snow
Rain
c. Snow
4-7. Greenhouse effect is the warming of the atmosphere. Arrange the following sequence on how
greenhouse effect is produced.
a. Greenhouse gases absorb outgoing long wavelength radiation.
b. Objects on the earth’s surface emit long wavelength radiation skyward.
c. Greenhouse gases reradiate some of the energy received earthward trapping heat in the
lower atmosphere.
d. Much of the incoming short wavelength solar radiation penetrates the atmosphere and
heats the earth’s surface.

8. What happens to the temperature of a given mass of fluid like air when heat flows into it?
a. It increases. c. It remains the same.
b. It decreases. d. Cannot be determined.
It remains the same.
c. Cannot be determined.
9. The boundary between two different air masses is called a _______.
a. Albedo c. Front
b. Convergence d. Isotherms
Front
34
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 35
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Isotherms
10. Among the most common features on any weather map are areas designated as pressure
centers. In what direction do winds move out around a high pressure area in the Northern
Hemisphere?
a. Clockwise, inward c. Counterclockwise, inward
b. Clockwise, outward d. Counterclockwise, outward
Counterclockwise, inward
c. Counterclockwise, outward
11. What happens to the salinity of ocean water when the rate of evaporation increases?
a. It increases. c. It remains the same.
b. It decreases. d. It is reduced to zero.

It remains the same.

It is reduced to zero.

12. Which of the following is a middle cloud?

a. Altostratus c. Cumulonimbus
b. Cirrostratus d. Nimbostratus
Cumulonimbus
c. Nimbostratus

13. Air masses are classified on the basis of their source region. Which of the following indicates cold,
dry air?
a. Continental polar (cP) c. Continental tropical (cT)
b. Maritime polar (mP) d. Maritime tropical (mT)
Continental tropical (cT)
c. Maritime tropical (mT)

14. Maritime tropical air masses that affect North America originate in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean
Sea, or the Atlantic Ocean. Which of the following describes the condition of air in these areas?
a. Cold, moisture – laden c. Cold, dry
b. Warm, moisture-laden d. Warm, dry
Cold, dry
c. Warm, dry
15. Which of the following is NOT associated with cumulonimbus clouds?
a. Formation of snow c. Lightning
b. Heavy rain d. Thunderstorm
Lightning
c. Thunderstorm

16. What happens to the weather if the difference in air masses is great?
a. More violent
b. Less violent
c. Not affected
d. May be violent sometimes and less violent at other times

17. Which of the following is NOT true about ocean surface currents?
a. They are driven by winds.
b. They can cause upwelling.
c. They move heated water from equator to poles.
d. They can pile up water at eastern boundary of oceans.

18. The clockwise circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean leaves a large central area which has no
well-defined currents. What is this zone of calmer water called?
a. Canaries current c. Gulf Stream
b. Coriolis effect d. Sargasso Sea
Gulf Stream
c. Sargasso Sea

19. Which of the following are NOT caused by winds?

a. Upwelling c. Ocean waves
b. Surface currents d. Deep ocean circulation
Ocean waves
35
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 36
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Deep ocean circulation

20. During the day, cool air blows from the sea to the land. What do you call this local wind?
a. Land breeze c. Sea breeze
b. Mountain breeze d. Valley breeze
Sea breeze
c. Valley breeze

21. What can cause an increase in the density of ocean surface water?
a. Warm air above the surface water c. Less evaporation of surface water
b. Freezing of surface water d. Warming of surface water
Less evaporation of surface water
c. Warming of surface water

22. The Earth’s atmosphere contains a mixture of gases. What atmospheric gas is most soluble in
ocean water?
a. Carbon dioxide c. Nitrogen oxide
b. Nitrogen d. Oxygen
c. Nitrogen oxide
d. Oxygen

23. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum is reflected by ocean water?

a. Blue light c. Orange light
b. Green light d. Red light
Orange light
c. Red light

24. Why does greenhouse effect result to warmer air near the surface of the earth?
a. Clouds trap infrared radiation released from the surface of the Earth.
b. Ozone traps ultraviolet radiation from incoming solar radiation.
c. Carbon dioxide traps infrared radiation released from the surface of the Earth.
d. Soil absorbs incoming solar radiation.

25. Which of the following is NOT true about air in our atmosphere?
a. Air moves from area of high pressure to area of low pressure.
b. The higher the air pressure the slower the air moves.
c. The greater the difference in air pressure between two air masses, the stronger is the
wind.
d. Cool air is denser and is, therefore, heavier than an equal volume of air.

36
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 37
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

e.

37
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 38
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART IV– KEY TO CORRECTION

PART IV: KEY TO CORRECTION

Part II. Analyzing Test Items

c
c
a
a
b
d
d
b
d
c
db
d
a
b
a
c
a
a
a
a
a
b
a
d
c

Part III. Practice Test

b
b
a
d
b
a
c
a
c
d
a
c
a
b
a
a
d
38
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco
SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES 39
Focus: Meteorology
By: Gloria L. Follosco
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

d
d
c
b
a
a
c
b
f.

39
Meteorology
Dr. Gloria L. Follosco