FAA Ground School Practice Test

What causes convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes?

1. Warm, moist air moving inland

2. Cool, dense air moving inland from over the water

3. High pressure systems

4. Cumulonimbus cloud formation

The correct answer is: Cool, dense air moving inland from over the water

The phenomenon of convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes is primarily driven by temperature differences between land and water. During the day, the sun heats both the land and the sea, but the land heats up much more quickly than the water. As the air above the land is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, creating an area of lower pressure over the land. Cool, dense air from over the water, where the temperature remains relatively lower due to the higher thermal inertia of the sea, then moves inland to replace the rising warm air. This process generates a sea breeze, characterized by a flow of cool air from the ocean towards the warmer land. This circulation continues as long as the temperature disparity exists, establishing a consistent pattern of movement that can be observed as sea breezes develop. The other answer choices describe different atmospheric phenomena or conditions unrelated to the specific mechanics of sea breeze formation. For example, warm, moist air moving inland is a result of the sea breeze phenomenon rather than a cause. High pressure systems may influence general weather patterns but do not directly create sea breezes. Similarly, cumulonimbus cloud formation refers to a type of cloud associated with severe weather conditions and is not a fundamental driver of the sea breeze effect.