Temperature Inversions - KEY
1. Normally, air temperature increases in direct proportion to increasing altitude meaning the
temperature of air in the atmosphere is hotter the higher up in altitude you go.
a. true
b. false
2. An inversion is when a layer of warm air forms on top of a layer of cooler air.
a. true
b. false
3. Inversions are
a. stable because air circulates
b. stable because air does NOT circulate
c. unstable because air circulates
d. unstable because air does NOT circulate
4. What characteristic separates warm and cold layers of air so completely during an inversion?
a. density
b. temperature
c. velocity
d. all the above
5. Surface temperature inversions are caused by all of the following EXCEPT
a. cooling of the air near the ground at night
b. cold air flowing down a mountain into a valley
c. cold water cooling the air directly above it
d. the sun heating the upper layer of atmosphere
e. when the ground is covered with snow
6. Air is a poor conductor of heat.
a. true
b. false
7. Inversions are more likely to form in all the following places EXCEPT
a. in valleys
b. on mountain tops
c. coastal areas
d. areas with lots of snow cover
8. Temperature inversions most likely occur during which season?
a. summer
b. winter
9. Inversions are more likely to happen when there are strong winds and cloudy skies.
a. true
b. false
10. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of a temperature inversion?
a. freezing rain
b. thunderstorms
c. snow
d. tornadoes
e. smog
11. What can break up a temperature inversion?
a. when the sun heats the air during the day
b. strong winds
c. storms / rain
d. all the above
12. Which of the following is true?
a. pollution causes inversions
b. pollution gets trapped in the warm layer of air
c. inversions are a brown color
d. inversions are a frequent natural occurrence
e. inversions always create smog