Question 16: Compared to maritime (oceanic) climates, the distinguishing feature

Question

Question 16: Compared to maritime (oceanic) climates, the distinguishing feature of continental climates is: (Choose the best answer)

A-Higher annual average temperatures.

B-Lower annual average temperatures.

C-A lower daily temperature range.

D-A larger annual temperature range.

E-Larger annual and daily temperature ranges.

Question 17: Match the average atmospheric temperatures with the associated elevation.

1-Ground - 0 miles

2-8 miles elevation top of troposphere

3-20 miles elevation - middle of stratosphere

4-32 miles - top of stratosphere

A.

70°F (approximately 25°C)

B.

-90°F (approximately -55°C)

C.

-5°F (approximately -25°C)

D.

32°F (0°C)

A-Higher annual average temperatures.

B-Lower annual average temperatures.

C-A lower daily temperature range.

D-A larger annual temperature range.

E-Larger annual and daily temperature ranges.

Explanation / Answer

16. E - Larger annual and daily temperature ranges.

The reason for larger annual and daily temperature ranges for continental climates when compared with the maritime climates is that the specific heat of sea water in the oceans is very high when compared with the specific heat of the land on the continents.

The high specific heat of the sea water means that it can store a lot of heat before there is an increase in the temperature, where as in the case of land, because of less specific heat, it heats up and cools down very quickly on a diurnal as well as on annual time scale.

17) 1-Ground - 0 miles --> A. 70°F (approximately 25°C)

2-8 miles elevation top of troposphere --> B. -90°F (approximately -55°C)

  3-20 miles elevation - middle of stratosphere --> C. -5°F (approximately -25°C)

  4-32 miles - top of stratosphere --> D. 32°F (0°C)

The temperature in the atmosphere decreases with altitude till the top of troposphere and then it starts to increase in the stratosphere due to the presence of ozone and then decreases again in the Mesophere.

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