Deck 1: Introduction to the Atmosphere

Question 1

Air may best be described as:

A)an element.
B)one of four basic substances that composes all things.
C)a compound.
D)a mixture.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The term meteorology:

A)can be used interchangeably with climate because they have the same meaning.
B)is the study of the atmosphere and its related weather systems.
C)is the study of the long-term average weather conditions at a given location.
D)is the study of meteors and their effects on the atmosphere.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Decay of plants,animals eating,and volcanic eruptions are all part of which major Earth system cycle?

A)the carbon cycle
B)the hydrologic cycle
C)the nitrogen cycle
D)the rock cycle

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The earth system:

A)is powered solely by the Sun.
B)includes parts that affect one another.
C)is the highest level of system possible.
D)cannot be affected by anything from space.

Question 5

In meteorological terminology,the acronym TRMM refers to:

A)the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite.
B)Tropospheric Radiation and Meteorological Measurement.
C)the international scientific panel on Technology,Research,and Methods in Meteorology.
D)the Typical Receipt of Mesospheric Meteors.

Question 6

The primary function of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission is to:

A)provide satellite data about precipitation in the low latitudes,over both land and water.
B)aid in the reconstruction of past climates in the tropics.
C)forecast the tracks of hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere.
D)utilize remote sensing to measure precipitation amounts in uninhabited rain forests.

Question 7

The common boundary where different parts of a system interact is called:

A)a systemic boundary.
B)the plane of interaction.
C)a cycle.
D)an interface.

Question 8

An interacting group of parts that is fueled by energy and works to accomplish the movement of matter or energy is called:

A)a system.
B)a threshold.
C)a collection.
D)a sphere.

Question 9

The majority of the water outside of the oceans is in the form of:

A)groundwater.
B)glacial ice.
C)water vapor in the atmosphere.
D)streams.
E)lakes.

Question 10

Which of the following spheres is composed exclusively of water?

A)biosphere
B)lithosphere
C)hydrosphere
D)atmosphere

Question 11

Which of the following outlines the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?

A)collect data;develop hypothesis;test hypothesis;accept/modify/reject hypothesis
B)develop hypothesis;test hypothesis;accept/modify/reject hypothesis;collect data
C)test hypothesis;develop hypothesis;collect data;accept/modify/reject hypothesis
D)collect data;test hypothesis;develop hypothesis;accept/modify/reject hypothesis

Question 12

Which one of the following is not a term used to designate one of the "spheres" of the earth's environment?

A)atmosphere
B)geosphere
C)biosphere
D)aquasphere

Question 13

The BEST definition of the term climate is:

A)a comprehensive statistical analysis of aggregate weather conditions in a specific place or region.
B)average weather over a long period of time.
C)identical to the definition of meteorology.
D)the weather occurring in the atmosphere at a specific place and time.

Question 14

The least dense portion of the solid Earth is the:

A)mantle.
B)center.
C)core.
D)crust.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of an interface?

A)The circulation of water through the hydrologic cycle.
B)Solar energy traveling through space.
C)The formation of an igneous rock as lava cools following a volcanic eruption.
D)The formation of the Grand Canyon as running water erodes,transports,and deposits rock.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is an expression of climate?

A)Big Rapids,MI,recorded six inches of snowfall today.
B)Tornado warnings are in effect for Oklahoma City,OK.
C)February is the wettest month in Los Angeles,CA,with an average rainfall of 3.92 inches.
D)Tomorrow's high is forecasted to be 67°F.

Question 17

The basic elements of weather and climate include all of the following,except:

A)the humidity of the air.
B)the temperature of the air.
C)the pressure of the air.
D)the chemical composition of the air.
E)the type and amount of cloudiness.

Question 18

In the process of scientific inquiry,a theory is best defined as:

A)the initial formulation of an idea based on a few observed facts.
B)a "best guess" that may explain how something works,but is as yet untested and unproven.
C)a hypothesis that has been extensively tested and is generally accepted by the scientific community.
D)a final solution to a scientific problem that is proven correct and will never be disproven.

Question 19

A primary difference between the concepts of weather and climate is the:

A)measuring technique used.
B)type of weather elements measured.
C)temperature scale used.
D)time period involved.

Question 20

This country has the greatest variety of weather in the world.

A)China
B)United States
C)South Africa
D)Australia
E)Russia

Question 21

Which two gases make up a combined total of 99% of clean,dry air in the homosphere?

A)nitrogen and oxygen
B)oxygen and carbon dioxide
C)nitrogen and argon
D)carbon dioxide and water vapor

Question 22

Which one of the following is the MOST abundant gas in the atmosphere?

A)hydrogen
B)oxygen
C)nitrogen
D)argon
E)carbon dioxide

Question 23

The first function of water vapor in the earth's original atmosphere was to:

A)fall as rain and thus cool the earth's surface.
B)create oxygen.
C)increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
D)provide needed nourishment for primitive plants.
E)block the solar wind.

Question 24

Which of these is NOT a significant factor in the role played by particles or dust in the atmosphere?

A)cloud formation
B)ozone production
C)reflection of sunlight
D)absorption of sunlight

Question 25

The formation of fossil fuels begins when:

A)dormant volcanoes fail to erupt,trapping carbon dioxide under ground.
B)biomass is deposited and buried with sediment instead of decaying.
C)carbon-rich rocks are buried beneath volcanic lava flows.
D)extensive fossil deposition occurs all at once,such as when the dinosaurs went extinct in a short period of time.

Question 26

Dust and aerosols in the atmosphere are associated with all of the following EXCEPT:

A)altering the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere
B)optical phenomena such as red sky at sunset
C)reflection of solar energy
D)condensation and cloud formation

Question 27

Which of the following is the MOST important atmospheric component with regard to the earth's climate and the formation of weather systems?

A)water vapor
B)ozone
C)oxygen
D)nitrogen
E)argon

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a variable component of the atmosphere?

A)water vapor
B)ozone
C)aerosols
D)argon

Question 29

Water vapor represents what fraction of the air near the earth's surface?

A)40 - 100 percent
B)about 20 percent
C)less than 4 percent
D)0 - 100 percent
E)about 10 percent

Question 30

Consider the following diagram,and then answer the question below.

What best explains the "bumps" seen in the seen in the CO₂ concentrations on the graph above?

A)greater amounts of CO₂ released by the burning of fossil fuels for heat during the winter
B)higher levels of traffic producing more CO₂ during the summer travel season
C)changes in plant growth that result in less CO₂ being absorbed during the dormant season
D)a cyclic pattern in the eruption of volcanoes,causing more CO₂ to be released each spring

Question 31

Studies have shown that on average ozone depletion is greatest over this area.

A)Antarctica
B)Australia
C)Europe
D)the Middle East
E)North America

Question 32

This atmospheric component absorbs damaging ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

A)neon
B)argon
C)helium
D)nitrogen
E)ozone

Question 33

The ozone layer is found in the:

A)thermosphere.
B)stratosphere.
C)troposphere.
D)mesosphere.
E)ionosphere.

Question 34

Scientists believe that a growing amount of this gas in the atmosphere will probably bring about a warming of the lower atmosphere.

A)nitrogen
B)carbon dioxide
C)oxygen
D)argon
E)hydrogen

Question 35

Which of these was NOT involved with the formation and evolution of our present atmosphere?

A)stratification
B)cooling
C)outgassing
D)photosynthesis

Question 36

The most important source of the free oxygen in our atmosphere is:

A)green plants that carry on photosynthesis.
B)deforestation.
C)volcanic degassing.
D)the dissociation of water vapor in the upper atmosphere.

Question 37

Consider the following diagram,and then answer the question below.

According to current scientific consensus,what is the reason for the upward trend in overall CO₂ concentrations demonstrated in the graph above?

A)large and increasingly frequent volcanic eruptions
B)changes in Earth's atmosphere brought about by natural climate variation
C)rapidly increasing fossil fuel combustion and the resulting emissions
D)The causes are still unknown.

Question 38

Which one of the following gases has the greatest effect on weather?

A)nitrogen
B)oxygen
C)argon
D)ozone
E)water vapor

Question 39

This variable atmospheric component can exist in all three states of matter (solid,liquid,and gas)at the temperatures and pressures that normally exist on Earth.

A)nitrogen
B)methane
C)oxygen
D)water
E)ozone

Question 40

Photosynthesis:

A)was prevalent during the first years of the earth's atmosphere.
B)releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
C)is carried out primarily by bacteria.
D)releases oxygen into the atmosphere.

Question 41

The name of the instrument being launched with a weather balloon in the photograph above is:

A)a radiosonde.
B)a TRMM sensor.
C)a satellite.
D)a Doppler radar.

Question 42

While ascending through the atmosphere,you record temperature with a standard thermometer and find that the temperature has risen from -48°C (-54°F)to -18°C (-0.4°F)over the last 10 km (6.2 miles).Which of the following regions of the atmosphere are you most likely in?

A)troposphere
B)stratosphere
C)mesosphere
D)thermosphere

Question 43

When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)are subjected to sunlight,________ is released,in turn leading to the destruction of ozone molecules.

A)chlorine
B)carbon
C)nitrogen
D)hydrogen
E)carbon dioxide

Question 44

Assuming the average value of the environmental lapse rate,what would be the temperature in the tropopause at a height of 3 km if the temperature at the surface is 20°C?

A)32.9°C
B)9)2°C
C)0)5°C
D)The answer cannot be calculated with the information given.

Question 45

The Montreal Protocol:

A)is generally considered a diplomatic disaster by most environmentalists.
B)called for a 10 percent reduction in CFC production by the end of the century.
C)has already created a reduction in ozone-depleting gases in the atmosphere.
D)was not adhered to by the United States.
E)was designed primarily to address the problem of global warming.

Question 46

The troposphere is most likely to be thickest:

A)over the North Pole.
B)over the Arctic Circle.
C)over the equator.
D)at about 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south.
E)over the South Pole.

Question 47

The four thermal layers of the atmosphere in order beginning from the surface are:

A)troposphere,stratosphere,mesosphere,thermosphere
B)thermosphere,stratosphere,mesosphere,troposphere
C)mesosphere,stratosphere,thermosphere,troposphere
D)stratosphere,troposphere,mesosphere,thermosphere

Question 48

The "weather sphere" is in the:

A)troposphere.
B)stratosphere.
C)thermosphere.
D)mesosphere.

Question 49

The term troposphere literally means:

A)"layer of life."
B)"region of weather."
C)region where air "turns over."
D)"warm air."

Question 50

With an increase in altitude,air pressure:

A)increases at a constant rate.
B)increases at a decreasing rate.
C)decreases at a decreasing rate.
D)decreases at an increasing rate.
E)decreases at a constant rate.

Question 51

Ozone is concentrated in the

A)mesosphere.
B)troposphere.
C)thermosphere.
D)stratosphere.

Question 52

The normal lapse rate applies to the

A)thermosphere.
B)stratosphere.
C)troposphere.
D)mesosphere.

Question 53

The vertical temperature structure of the troposphere is described by:

A)air temperature.
B)the barometric pressure.
C)the lapse rate.
D)its density.
E)the wind speed.

Question 54

The level of the atmosphere with the highest temperatures is the:

A)thermosphere.
B)mesosphere.
C)stratosphere.
D)troposphere.

Question 55

Which of the following associations is CORRECT?

A)thermosphere - high heat
B)mesosphere - begins at a height of 50 km
C)troposphere - positive lapse rate
D)stratosphere - coldest temperatures in the atmosphere

Question 56

Ozone:

A)is considered beneficial at the surface of the Earth.
B)protects life on Earth by filtering harmful UV radiation from sunlight.
C)is rapidly depleting for reasons scientists do not yet fully understand.
D)is concentrated in the mesosphere.

Question 57

Ninety percent of our atmosphere lies below an altitude of about:

A)65 km.
B)16 km.
C)100 km.
D)6 km.
E)31 km.

Question 58

On the average,for every 1 km increase in altitude in the troposphere the air temperature:

A)drops about 6.5 degrees Celsius.
B)rises by day and drops by night.
C)rises about 6.5 degrees Celsius.
D)remains unchanged for the first 500 m and then drops.

Question 59

Atmospheric pressure is caused by:

A)Earth's magnetic field.
B)the weight of the air above.
C)the rotation of Earth.
D)solar radiation.

Question 60

The summit of Mt.Everest (8.85 km)is found in the:

A)stratosphere.
B)troposphere.
C)mesosphere.
D)thermosphere.

Question 61

Carbon dioxide's importance in the atmosphere is solely due to its absorption and release of latent heat.

Question 62

Climate knowledge can be used to accurately predict weather.

Question 63

The heterosphere and ionosphere are both found in the:

A)stratosphere.
B)thermosphere.
C)mesosphere.
D)troposphere.

Question 64

Scientific hypotheses are rejected when they do not agree with observed data.

Question 65

A scientific hypothesis may be regarded as a tentative explanation of observed facts or events.

Question 66

Although carbon dioxide is present only in small amounts,it is still more significant meteorologically than the other more abundant gases composing dry air.

Question 67

Nearly all of planet Earth's mass is in the region known as the hydrosphere.

Question 68

If you were to put your hand out into the thermosphere,it would:

A)instantly burn up because of very high temperatures.
B)gradually warm up above body temperature.
C)not feel any heat,because very few air molecules would collide with your skin.
D)freeze quickly because of the very cold temperatures.

Question 69

The ionosphere is an atmospheric region defined on the basis of:

A)temperature structure.
B)composition.
C)electrical charges.
D)pressure.

Question 70

Weather influences people,but people don't influence weather.

Question 71

The aurora borealis will most likely be stronger:

A)when there is a lot of solar flare activity.
B)above the South Pole.
C)nearest the equator.
D)when there are few ions in the ionosphere.

Question 72

The lowest temperatures in the atmosphere exist in the:

A)stratosphere.
B)thermosphere.
C)mesosphere.
D)troposphere.

Question 73

Weather and climate are synonymous terms.

Question 74

"Average weather" is an adequate definition of climate.

Question 75

You are gathering information for a severe weather forecast and you need to know the temperature and relative humidity of the air throughout the tropopause above your head.The instrument you need to employ is:

A)a satellite.
B)a weather radar.
C)a weather balloon with radiosonde.
D)an aircraft.

Question 76

Which of the following is NOT true of radiosondes?

A)They are carried aloft by weather balloons.
B)They are only used in a few dozen places around the world.
C)They are critical sources of data for weather forecasters.
D)They send meteorological data to the ground via radio transmitters.

Question 77

The aurora that is visible in the southern hemisphere is the:

A)aurora borealis.
B)aurora australis.
C)ionic aurora.
D)antarctic aurora.

Question 78

The biosphere interacts with the lithosphere,the hydrosphere,and the atmosphere.

Question 79

The approximate altitude of auroral displays is:

A)above 1000 km.
B)80-400 km.
C)above 500 km.
D)about 50 km.
E)below 30 km.

Question 80

The oceans cover about 50 percent of the earth's surface.