Earth Science 11: Atmosphere Review
Earth-Sun Relationships
1. Use the circle and the terms below to correctly illustrate the position of Earth relative to incoming solar
radiation on December 22nd.
A. Arctic Circle
B. Antarctic Circle
Incoming Solar Radiation
C. Tropic of Cancer
D. Tropic of Capricorn
E. Equator
F. Axis
G. Circle of Illumination
H. Overhead Noon Sun
2. What causes the intensity and duration of solar radiation received at any place to vary throughout the
year (in other words, what causes the seasons)?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Heating Earth’s Atmosphere
3. The photo shows a snow=covered area in the middle latitudes on
a sunny day in winter. Assume that one week after this photo was
taken conditions were the same except that the snow was gone.
Would you expect the air temperatures to be different on the two
days? If not, which day would be warmer? Suggest an
explanation.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Earth Science 11: Labs 12, 13 and 14 Review
Page 1
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. The map shows a hypothetical continent in the Northern
Hemisphere. One isotherm has been placed on the map.
N
a) Which city on the map is experiencing a higher temperature?
___________________________________________________
b) Explain the temperature pattern seen on the map.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
c) Is the season winter or summer? Explain how you determined this.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
d) Describe or draw the position of the isotherm 6 months in the future.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Earth Science 11: Labs 12, 13 and 14 Review
Page 2
Moisture, Clouds and Precipitation
5. Number the following statements about the development of clouds in proper sequence:
__________ Dew-point Temperature is reached
__________ Air begins to rise
__________ Condensation occurs
__________ Adiabatic cooling
Relative Humidity
6. The diagram shows air flowing from the ocean over a
coastal mountain range.
a) Determine the air temperatures and dew-point
temperatures for the air parcel at each location (B-G).
b) At which level will clouds first begin to form on the
mountainside?
Point
A
____________________________________________
B
c) On which side of the mountain would you expect
desert-like conditions? Why?
C
Air Temp
Dew Point
D
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
E
F
G
____________________________________________
d) What type of air lifting is occurring?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Earth Science 11: Labs 12, 13 and 14 Review
Page 3
4. The map shows a hypothetical continent in the Northern Hemisphere. One isotherm has been placed
on the map.
a) Which city on the map is experiencing a higher temperature?
-City B
b) Explain the temperature pattern seen on the map.
-The ocean has a moderating effect on temperature as it takes more energy to heat up an equal amount of
water than land. This is because water has a higher specific heat, light waves penetrate deeper into it, etc.
c) Is the season winter or summer? Explain how you determined this.
-Summer, as inland cities would experience colder temperatures than coastal cities during the winter. As
such, the isotherm would be flipped the other way.
d) Draw the position of the isotherm 6 months in the
future.
-Line is flipped the opposite way.
Moisture, Clouds and Precipitation
5. The diagram shows air flowing from the ocean over a
coastal mountain range.
a) Determine the air temperatures and dew-point
temperatures for the air parcel at each location (B-G).
b) At which level will clouds first begin to form on the
mountainside?
Point
A
Air Temp
27
Dew Point
17
B
17 (100% RH)
17
C
12
17
D
7
17
-Leeward, as descending air is warming as it is
compressed. This means that the air can hold more
water = no precipitation is occurring.
E
12
17
F
17
17
d) What type of air lifting is occurring?
G
27 (Less than 100%
RH)
17
-B and F, as relative humidity below these points is
less than 100%.
c) On which side of the mountain would you expect
desert-like conditions? Why?
-Orographic: physical barrier is forcing air to rise.
(orographic)
Earth Science 11: Labs 12, 13 and 14 Review
Page 4