Deck 2: Heating Earths Surface and Atmosphere

Question 1

When encountering terrestrial longwave radiation, clouds are most likely to_________ it.

A) scatter
B) reflect
C) absorb
D) transmit

Answer 1

absorb

Question 2

The transfer of heat through matter by molecular collisions is called:

A) convection.
B) conduction.
C) radiation.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The first day of the climatological season of summer is:

A) June 21.
B) July 4 (perihelion).
C) July 1.
D) June 1.

Answer 3

June 1.

Question 4

Flagstaff, AZ is at 35 degrees N latitude. What is the angle of the Sun's noon rays here on March 21?

A) 35 degrees
B) 0 degrees
C) 47 degrees
D) 55 degrees

Question 5

Radiation is intercepted in the atmosphere and its wavelength is measured at 0.7 micrometers. This radiation was most likely emitted by:

A) a cloud.
B) the atmosphere.
C) the Sun.
D) the Earth.

Question 6

New York City has its greatest length of daylight on:

A) September 22.
B) June 21.
C) December 21.
D) March 21.

Question 7

Wind is an example of:

A) conduction.
B) advection.
C) radiation.

Question 8

The date that the Sun "rises" at the North Pole is:

A) December 21.
B) September 22.
C) March 21.
D) January 3.
E) June 21.

Question 9

Which of the following would be true if Earth did not have an inclined axis?

A) Earth would not have seasons.
B) The equator would have 24 hours of daylight throughout the year.
C) The Northern Hemisphere would always be tilted towards the sun.
D) The poles would not have ice caps.

Question 10

Clouds are most likely to __________ incoming solar radiation.

A) transmit
B) conduct
C) absorb
D) reflect

Question 11

During natural processes, heat transfer is always from:

A) gases to solids.
B) solids to liquids.
C) warmer to cooler substances.
D) cooler to warmer substances.

Question 12

The two types of heat recognized by meteorologists are:

A) latent heat and kinetic heat.
B) latent heat and sensible heat.
C) kinetic heat and radiative heat.
D) sensible heat and conductive heat.

Question 13

The primary cause of Earth's seasons is:

A) varying distance from the Sun, which changes how much radiation Earth receives from the Sun.
B) tilt of Earth's rotation axis, which causes sun angles and daylight length to vary.
C) regular changes in radiation emitted by the Sun.
D) changes in atmospheric thickness.
E) varying orbital speed.

Question 14

The vertical movements of air molecules that result in heat transfer are known as , while horizontal movements are known as_________ .

A) advection, convection
B) convection, advection
C) conduction, advection
D) connection, radiation

Question 15

An analemma is best used to determine:

A) the tilt of Earth's axis on any day of the year.
B) the distance between the sun and the earth on any day of the year.
C) the solar declination on any day of the year.
D) solar altitude at any given time of the day.

Question 16

Which of the following correctly describes the equinoxes?

A) The length of daylight at the Arctic and Antarctic Circle is 24 hours.
B) They occur in June and December.
C) Days and nights are equal in length in all parts of the world.
D) The Sun's vertical rays are striking either the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn.

Question 17

On the average, how much of the Sun's energy that is intercepted by the earth system is reflected to space?

A) 30 percent
B) 45 percent
C) 19 percent
D) 51 percent
E) 25 percent

Question 18

Clouds play an important role in the earth's energy budget because they:

A) absorb longwave radiation and re- radiate it towards the surface.
B) cool the air around them.
C) reflect solar energy.
D) reflect the earth's infrared energy.
E) Both A and C

Question 19

The atmosphere is largely _______to terrestrial radiation that has a wavelength between 8 and 12 micrometers.

A) conductive
B) reflective
C) transparent
D) absorptive

Question 20

If an imbalance occurs between incoming and outgoing energy at the earth's surface:

A) minimum temperatures occur.
B) temperatures remain steady.
C) maximum temperatures occur.
D) temperatures either increase or decrease.

Question 21

What kind of energy does gravity give to hailstones suspended in a thunderstorm?

A) kinestetic energy
B) latent energy
C) kinetic energy
D) potential energy

Question 22

Which of the following associations is INCORRECT?

A) autumnal equinox - shortest day of the year for the Arctic Circle
B) vernal equinox - equal day/equal night
C) summer solstice - solar declination at the Tropic of Cancer
D) aphelion - Earth furthest from the sun

Question 23

What is the 'atmospheric window'?

A) The solar radiation wavelengths that are most easily absorbed by nitrogen.
B) The range wavelengths of solar radiation that most easily pass through the atmosphere.
C) The range of infrared wavelengths that can most easily escape Earth's atmosphere.
D) The visible light spectrum.

Question 24

At 45 degrees S latitude, the angle of the noon Sun is lowest and the length of daylight is shortest on:

A) December 21.
B) June 21.
C) January 23.
D) September 22.
E) March 21.

Question 25

During the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, the circle of illumination passes directly through the:

A) Tropic of Capricorn.
B) equator.
C) poles.
D) Tropic of Cancer.

Question 26

Which of the following does NOT happen to solar radiation as it passes through the atmosphere?

A) absorption
B) intensification
C) scattering
D) transmission

Question 27

Earth's sky is blue during the day because:

A) the atmosphere absorbs blue wavelengths of light.
B) the sun produces more blue wavelengths that it produces in any other color.
C) red wavelengths are lost as solar radiation passes through the vacuum of space.
D) the molecules in the atmosphere scatter blue wavelengths of light.

Question 28

Most of the radiation emitted by the earth and its atmosphere is in the category of:

A) infrared.
B) x- rays.
C) ultraviolet.
D) gamma.

Question 29

In meteorological terminology, the primary difference between convection and advection is:

A) Convection represents upper atmosphere heat transfer and advection represents surface heat transfer.
B) Convection represents vertical heat transfer and advection represents horizontal heat transfer.
C) Convection represents surface heat transfer and advection represents upper atmosphere heat transfer.
D) Convection represents horizontal heat transfer and advection represents vertical heat transfer.
E) None of the above; the terms are used interchangeably.

Question 30

Thermals and advection are both types of:

A) radiation.
B) convection.
C) conduction
D) transmission.

Question 31

The longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are:

A) infrared.
B) visible light.
C) ultraviolet.
D) radio.
E) gamma.

Question 32

While sitting outside at a picnic, you and your family start discussing how hot it is outside and plan to take a dip in the lake to cool off. What type of heat have you experienced in order to make this statement?

A) kinetic heat
B) sensible heat
C) potential heat
D) latent heat

Question 33

The atmosphere is heated primarily by:

A) convection from the ground.
B) conduction from the ground.
C) absorption of solar radiation.
D) absorption of Earth's longwave radiation.

Question 34

Which of the following is a measurement of the average kinetic energy possessed by the atoms or molecules in a substance?

A) latent energy
B) heat
C) temperature
D) potential energy

Question 35

An astronomer tells you that he has discovered a new planet that he calls Planet X. All he knows about Planet X so far is that it has a very dense atmosphere with a temperature approximately 5 times warmer than that of Earth. What hypothesis can you reasonably make regarding the atmosphere of Planet X?

A) The atmosphere of Planet X must not contain any oxygen, so people couldn't live there.
B) The nitrogen cycle does not operate on Planet X in the same way it does on Earth.
C) Planet X cannot contain water in any form.
D) The atmosphere of Planet X has a higher concentration of greenhouse gases than Earth's does.

Question 36

Based on the analemma above, what is the approximate location of the solar declination on August 26?

A) 18° N
B) 10° S
C) 10° N
D) 23.5° N

Question 37

What is the only form of heat transfer that can operate in a vacuum?

A) convection
B) conduction
C) radiation
D) advection

Question 38

At what time of year is the earth's axis not tilted either toward or away from the Sun?

A) aphelion
B) autumnal equinox
C) summer solstice
D) winter solstice
E) perihelion

Question 39

Most of the solar energy absorbed by planet Earth and its atmosphere is absorbed by:

A) atmospheric gases.
B) clouds.
C) the earth's surface.
D) atmospheric dust.

Question 40

Earth's perihelion:

A) coincides with the winter solstice.
B) occurs when the earth is farthest from the Sun.
C) coincides with the summer solstice.
D) would not exist if the earth's orbit were circular.

Question 41

Low sun angles result in reduced solar energy because:

A) absorption is reduced.
B) Sun - Earth distance is greater.
C) energy is spread over a larger area.
D) day lengths are shorter.

Question 42

The earth receives energy from the Sun by:

A) radiation.
B) scattering.
C) convection.
D) conduction.

Question 43

Which of the following gases is the best absorber of ultraviolet light?

A) oxygen
B) carbon dioxide
C) carbon monoxide
D) water vapor
E) nitrogen dioxide

Question 44

During reflection,

A) radiation is separated into several groups of weaker rays that travel in different directions.
B) radiation retains the same intensity but bounces back from the surface at a random angle.
C) radiation retains the same intensity and bounces back at the same angle with which it struck the surface.
D) a portion of radiation is absorbed by the surface and the rest bounces off of the surface.

Question 45

Scattering:

A) is responsible for the redness of sunsets.
B) prevents nearly half of incoming solar radiation from reaching the surface of the earth.
C) is the primary mechanism of heat transfer in the atmosphere.
D) changes the wavelength of light.

Question 46

The spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on approximately:

A) December 21.
B) January 3.
C) March 21.
D) June 21.
E) September 22.

Question 47

Using the analemma above, calculate the noon Sun angle for a latitude of 40° N on February 14. Choose the correct answer below.

A) 15°
B) 63°
C) 0°
D) 37°

Question 48

The date that the Sun "sets" at the North Pole is:

A) March 21.
B) September 22.
C) June 21.
D) December 21.

Question 49

The atmosphere is highly ___________with respect to solar radiation.

A) reflective
B) transparent
C) conductive
D) absorptive

Question 50

The energy associated with motion is called:

A) molecular motion energy.
B) kinetic energy.
C) potential energy.
D) vibrational energy.

Question 51

Of the following choices, the surface with the HIGHEST albedo is:

A) water (Sun near zenith).
B) fresh snow.
C) grass.
D) sand.

Question 52

What would happen on Earth if the Sun were 'turned off' and ceased to provide heat for the Earth?

A) Living organisms would slowly adapt to life without sunlight.
B) Intense storms would develop and persist for weeks at a time.
C) Winds and ocean currents would stop.
D) The Earth would quickly overheat.

Question 53

Objects with higher temperatures:

A) emit most of their energy in the form of longwave energy.
B) radiate less total energy than cooler objects radiate.
C) emit more shortwave radiation than cooler objects do.
D) emit only shortwave radiation.

Question 54

The earth emits terrestrial radiation:

A) only at night.
B) only over the continents.
C) only during the day.
D) all the time.
E) only during winter.

Question 55

Which of the following is most likely to 'block' the atmospheric window and keep the the lower atmosphere warmer?

A) ozone
B) air pollution
C) nitrogen
D) clouds

Question 56

Suppose the albedo of a planet is measured to be 40 percent. This means that:

A) 40 percent of the Sun's energy is absorbed.
B) 60 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected.
C) more energy is reflected than absorbed.
D) 40 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected.

Question 57

The primary factor which determines what type and how much radiation an object emits is its:

A) conductivity.
B) size.
C) color.
D) temperature.
E) density.

Question 58

The type of energy that is responsible for sunburn is:

A) gamma ray energy.
B) ultraviolet energy.
C) infrared energy.
D) microwave energy.

Question 59

Over the course of this year, the tilt of Earth's polar axis will:

A) remain constant at 23.5 degrees.
B) remains constant at 90 degrees.
C) vary from 0 to 23.5 degrees.
D) vary from 0 to 47 degrees.

Question 60

The length of daylight gets progressively longer going south from the equator on:

A) March 21.
B) December 21.
C) September 22.
D) June 21.

Question 61

Wavelengths of the visible spectrum are between:

A) 0.4 and 0.7 micrometers.
B) 0.25 and 2.5 micrometers.
C) 4 and 7 micrometers.
D) 0.4 and 0.7 meters.

Question 62

Earth's current angle of inclination is:

A) 23.5°.
B) 66.5°.
C) 90°.
D) 15°.

Question 63

The fraction of the total radiation encountered that is reflected by a surface is called _________its
.

Question 64

The UV Index can tell you:

A) what percent of Earth's radiation is emitted as UV radiation.
B) the relative change in UV production during a severe solar wind event.
C) the expected rate of skin cancer occurrence in a given city.
D) the approximate time it will take you to sunburn on a given day, based on your skin type.

Question 65

Which of the following gases does NOT absorb any significant portion of incoming solar radiation?

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

Question 66

The atmosphere is strongly____________ with respect to terrestrial radiation.

A) reflective
B) transparent
C) conductive
D) absorptive

Question 67

Heat:

A) is synonymous with temperature.
B) is a transfer of energy from areas with high temperatures to those with low temperatures.
C) measures the total kinetic energy in a substance.
D) is a measure of the average kinetic energy possessed by molecules.

Question 68

The wavelengths emitted by the earth are:

A) about the same as those emitted by the Sun except when the Sun is experiencing sunspots.
B) longer than those emitted by the Sun.
C) ultraviolet.
D) shorter than those emitted by the Sun.

Question 69

The LONGEST period of daylight of the year in the United States occurs on:

A) December 4.
B) June 21.
C) September 30.
D) March 3.
E) November 18.

Question 70

Crepuscular rays:

A) occur when water droplets scatter all wavelengths of sunlight equally.
B) occur only when no clouds, haze, or dust particles are present in the atmosphere.
C) are emitted by objects with very low temperatures.
D) are usually tinted blue.

Question 71

_________is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms or molecules in a substance.

Question 72

What energy transfer process is the most important in the transfer of energy from the earth's surface into the atmosphere?

Question 73

The 90 degrees angle rays strike the Tropic of Cancer on:

A) March 21.
B) July 4.
C) June 21.
D) December 21.
E) September 22.

Question 74

The absorption of longwave radiation by certain gases in the lower atmosphere is responsible for:

A) adiabatic effect.
B) greenhouse effect.
C) atmospheric window effect.
D) photon effect.

Question 75

The process of______________ involves the movement or circulation of a mass or substance.

A) conduction
B) convection
C) radiation

Question 76

The brightness of the daytime sky is due to ______of light.

Question 77

Which of the following describes the role played by the water cycle in determining the earth's heat budget?

A) transfers heat from atmosphere to space
B) transfers heat from atmosphere to surface
C) transfers heat from surface to atmosphere
D) has no significant role

Question 78

The wavelengths of energy that can be detected by the human eye are called__________ .

Question 79

Earth is closest to the Sun during:

A) Northern hemisphere autumn.
B) Southern hemisphere winter.
C) Northern hemisphere winter.
D) Southern hemisphere autumn.
E) Northern hemisphere summer.

Question 80

Early in January the earth is closer to the Sun than at any other time of year. This position is termed:

A) equinox.
B) albedo.
C) aphelion.
D) revolution.
E) perihelion.