GED Science Practice

What is a hurricane?

1. a) An organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

2. b) A nuclear weapon that releases atomic energy by union of light (hydrogen) nuclei at high temperatures to form helium

3. c) A technique of growing plants (without soil) in water containing dissolved nutrients

4. d) A severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving a 73-136 knots

The correct answer is: d) A severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving a 73-136 knots

Your answer is correct. A hurricane is defined as a severe tropical cyclone that is characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall. Specifically, hurricanes have sustained winds that range from 73 to 136 knots, which translates to approximately 84 to 157 miles per hour. These powerful storms form over warm ocean waters and can cause significant damage when they make landfall, impacting the environment and human infrastructure. The other choices present definitions unrelated to meteorological phenomena. The first option describes alkanes, which are organic compounds made solely of carbon and hydrogen, typically related to chemistry rather than weather. The second option pertains to nuclear fusion, a process that involves light nuclei merging to release energy, which is also not related to hurricanes. The third option involves hydroponics, a method of agriculture that uses nutrient-rich water to grow plants without soil, which, while an interesting topic, does not define a hurricane.