Mountains and Moisture: The Rain Shadow Quiz

If a large body of water exists, then solar radiation causes evaporation. If evaporation occurs, then the air mass becomes saturated with water vapor, providing the initial moisture needed for the process.

If an air mass hits a mountain, then it is forced upward. If the air rises, it cools and condenses into rain on that specific side, which is defined as the windward side.

If an air mass moves to a higher altitude, then the atmospheric pressure decreases. If the pressure decreases, then the air expands and cools (adiabatic cooling).

If air is warmed, then its molecules move faster and stay further apart. If there is more space between molecules, then the air can hold a higher capacity of water vapor before reaching saturation.

If air cools to its dew point, then it can no longer hold its water vapor. If it cannot hold the vapor, then the water molecules cluster together to form liquid droplets, which is condensation.

If the air has already dropped its moisture as precipitation on the windward side, then when it crosses the peak, it is significantly drier than when it started.

If the air descending the leeward side is dry and warming up, then it will evaporate any surface moisture it finds. If evaporation exceeds precipitation, then an arid or desert climate is formed.

If air moves from a high altitude to a lower altitude, then the weight of the atmosphere above it increases. If that weight increases, then the air pressure increases.

If the mountain acts as a physical barrier, then it forces the water out on one side. If the water is removed on the first side, then there is none left for the second side, creating a direct causal link.

If the Sierra Nevada mountains block moist air from the Pacific, then the air reaching the east side is dry. If the air is dry, then Death Valley remains one of the driest places on Earth.

If the "shadow" refers to the area deprived of rain, then it must be the side where rain does not fall. Since rain falls on the windward side, the leeward side is the correct location for the shadow.

If "oros" is the Greek word for mountain, then "orographic" describes processes related to mountains. If air is lifted by a mountain, then the technical term used by meteorologists is orographic lifting.

If air descends, it moves into areas of higher pressure. If air is compressed by higher pressure, then its internal energy increases, which results in a rise in temperature.

If the air temperature increases while the amount of water vapor stays the same, then the air's capacity to hold water grows. If capacity grows but content doesn't, then the relative humidity percentage drops.

If "windward" means "toward the wind," then the side facing the direction from which the wind blows is the windward side. If the wind direction changes, then the windward side would technically change.

If a mountain blocks the passage of rain-producing weather systems, then it casts a "shadow" of dryness. If this occurs, the resulting geographic feature is known as a rain shadow.

If the mountain is shorter, then the air is not forced as high. If the air isn't forced as high, it doesn't cool as much or lose as much moisture, leaving more water in the air for the other side.

If the rain shadow creates a dry climate, then only drought-resistant plants can survive there. If the environment dictates survival, then the rain shadow directly determines the ecosystem's vegetation.

If clouds are made of liquid water droplets or ice, then they must come from a gaseous state of water. If water is in a gaseous state in the atmosphere, it is called water vapor.

If "lee" refers to the side protected from the wind, then the side of the mountain facing away from the prevailing wind is called the leeward side.