Science Assessment ~ Items ~ CL021002

Which of the following describes the relationship between temperature differences, circulation of air, and wind blowing along the surface of the earth?

Temperature differences cause warm air to rise and cold air to sink, which leads to circulation of the air that causes wind to blow along the surface of the earth.
Temperature differences cause warm air to rise and cold air to sink, but this movement does not lead to circulation of the air, and therefore does not cause wind to blow along the surface of the earth.
Circulation of the air causes the wind to blow along the surface of the earth, but the circulation is not caused by temperature differences.
There is no relationship between temperature differences, circulation of air, and wind. The only cause of air moving along the surface of the earth is the rotation of the earth.

Details
Performance
NGSS

Topic: Weather and Climate II: Seasonal Differences
Correct Answer: A

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item CL021002

Students Responding Correctly

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	1691	3391	50%
Grades
6–8	812	1747	46%
9–12	873	1626	54%
Gender
Male	833	1643	51%
Female	812	1636	50%
Primary Language
English	1456	2824	52%
Other	167	390	43%

View data table

NRC Framework: ESS2.D Energy is redistributed globally through ocean currents (e.g., the Gulf Stream) and also through atmospheric circulation (winds). Sunlight heats Earth’s surface, which in turn heats the atmosphere. The resulting temperature patterns, together with Earth’s rotation and the configuration of continents and oceans, control the large-scale patterns of atmospheric circulation.

Science Assessment

Item CL021002: The rising and falling of warm and cold air causes the circulation of air that causes wind to blow along the surface of the earth.