Question

question 9 (10 points) the following infographic illustrates how prevailing winds have caused different climates on the windward and leeward sides of a mountain range. why does the leeward side of this mountain have a drier climate?

a rising air compresses and cools, causing the water droplets to evaporate.

b rising air expands and cools, causing the water vapor to condense

c descending air expands and warms, causing the water droplets to evaporate.

d rising air compresses and warms, causing the water vapor to condense.

Explanation:

To determine why the leeward side is drier, we analyze the orographic lift process:

1. Prevailing winds carry moist air to the windward side. As air rises over the mountain, it expands (due to lower pressure at higher altitudes) and cools. This cooling causes water vapor to condense, forming clouds and precipitation (explaining the wet windward side).
2. After crossing the mountain, the air descends on the leeward side. As air descends, it is compressed by increasing atmospheric pressure, which causes it to warm. Warming air can hold more moisture, and any remaining water droplets evaporate (turn back into vapor) because the warmer, descending air has a lower relative humidity and higher capacity for moisture.
3. Now let's evaluate the options:

• Option a: Rising air expands (not compresses) when ascending, so this is incorrect.
• Option b: This describes the windward side (rising air cooling and condensing), not the leeward side, so it's incorrect.
• Option c: Descending air is compressed (which leads to warming) and the warmer air causes water droplets to evaporate, leading to dry conditions. This matches the leeward side process.
• Option d: Rising air expands (not compresses) and cools (not warms) to condense vapor, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

c. Descending air expands and warms, causing the water droplets to evaporate.