Name __________________________________ DUE DATE: __________________ Earth Science

Quiz: Air Pressure & Winds – STUDY GUIDE

Use the word bank to fill in the statements. Each word is used once.

Isobar Clockwise Gradient Coriolis

Barometer Air Pressure Jet Stream Gyre

1) The instrument used to measure air pressure is called a ______________________.

2) _____________________ is the weight of the gases in the atmosphere pushing on the surface of the Earth.

3) A line on a weather map that connects points of equal air pressure is called an ___________________.

4) The change in air pressure between two locations is referred to as the pressure __________________.

5) The _______________ Effect causes winds to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.

6) In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean surface currents rotate in a __________________ pattern.

7) A _________________ is a fast‐flowing “river” of air found between convection cells near the Tropopause.

8) A _________________ is a large system of circulating ocean currents caused by the Coriolis effect.

Complete the diagrams below.

 Draw arrows showing the movement of air in each pressure system
 Fill in the boxes with the correct air pressure in mb
 Circle either rising or sinking for the vertical movement of air in each system

1004 1024

L H
Vertical
Rising / Sinking Movement of Rising / Sinking
Air (circle one)
Fill in the table below with the characteristics of High‐Pressure Systems and Low‐Pressure Systems.

Characteristics High‐Pressure Low‐Pressure

Air Temperature
Barometer Readings
(Air Pressure)
Type of Weather

Air Movement

Rotation of Pressure System

1) What are the three atmospheric variables that cause Air Pressure to change?
i. ________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________
iii. ________________________________________
2) What is the relationship between Temperature and Air Pressure? _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
3) What is the relationship between Humidity and Air Pressure? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
4) What is the relationship between Elevation and Air Pressure? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
5) Wind is always named for: (circle one) Where it comes from Where it’s going
6) The greatest change in air pressure occurs in which layer of Earth’s Atmosphere? ____________________________
7) Along the coast, why is there a Sea Breeze during the daytime, and a Land Breeze during the nighttime?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Draw arrows and use the word bank to label the diagram below showing a LAND BREEZE during nighttime.

Summer NIGHT
ARROW ARROW

 Warm
WORD BANK

1. 2.
 Cool
 Warm air Rising
 Cool air Sinking

ARROW

4.
3.
Complete the “Global Winds and Pressure Belts” diagram below.
1) Put an “H” or an “L” in each box on the right side of Earth indicating the
air pressure at that Pressure Belt.
2) Write the name of the Pressure Belt on each line of latitude (the lines for the
Poles are next to the box).

3) Write the name of the Global Winds that move between pressure belts in
each box to the left of Earth. (use the compass rose if needed)

Pressure

Wind Name 90⁰ N

Pressure

60⁰ N
Wind Name

Pressure
30⁰ N
Wind Name

Pressure
0⁰ Equator
Wind Name

Pressure
30⁰ S
Wind Name

Pressure
60⁰ S
Wind Name

90⁰ S
Pressure

1) What is the name of the Global Winds that move weather across the United States of
America? ___________________________________________________________
2) Which Global Winds would contain the warmest air? ___________________________
3) Why is there a Low‐Pressure belt at the Equator? _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Use the weather map below to answer the questions.

E C
D
A

1) How many Low pressure systems are on the map? _______ How many High pressure systems? _______

2) What is the name (where it’s coming from) of the wind between points A and B? _____________________

3) What is the name (where it’s coming from) of the wind between points E and D? _____________________

4) What is the approximate air pressure (in mb) is at Point F? _____________________________

5) What is the approximate air pressure (in mb) is at Point D? _____________________________

6) What is the approximate air pressure (in mb) is at Point B? _____________________________

7) Which letter (A, B, C, D, E, or F) on the map has the lowest air pressure? ____ How many mb? ______

8) Which letter (A, B, C, D, E, or F) on the map has the highest air pressure? ____ How many mb? ______

9) Between which 2 letters is the wind blowing the fastest? ____ & ____ How can you tell? _____________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

10) What is the name of the Global Winds that move these pressure systems across the United States?

_____________________________________________________________________________________