Deck 1: Introduction to the Atmosphere

Question 1

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

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

Answer 1

A

Question 2

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

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

This atmospheric component absorbs damaging ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

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

Answer 3

D

Question 4

At sea level, how far can a molecule in the atmosphere travel before it collides with another molecule?

A) 2 cm
B) 7 × 10^{- 6} cm
C) 5 × 10^{- 4} cm
D) )004 cm

Question 5

Ozone:

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

Question 6

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

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

Question 7

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

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

Question 8

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

The Earth subsystem that represents the circulation of Earth's water throughout the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere is know as the:

A) evaporative cycle.
B) aquasphere.
C) hydrologic cycle.
D) water rotation.

Question 9

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

Question 10

In which sphere would we find insects, plants, humans, and bacteria?

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

Question 11

The heterosphere and ionosphere BOTH coincide with the:

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

Question 12

The approximate altitude of auroral displays is:

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

Question 13

The Montreal Protocol:

A) was only signed by 24 countries.
B) was designed primarily to address the problem of global warming.
C) will not create immediate, rapid drops in atmospheric CFC levels.
D) was not adhered to by the United States.
E) is generally considered a diplomatic disaster by most environmentalists.

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

The earth system:

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

Question 17

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

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

Question 18

The normal lapse rate applies to the:

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

Question 19

The troposphere is most likely to be thickest:

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

Which of the following associations is CORRECT?

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

Question 22

In meteorological terminology, the acronym TRMM refers to:

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

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

Photosynthesis:

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

Question 25

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

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

Question 26

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

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

Question 27

How many weather- related disasters with costs in excess of $1 billion occurred in the United States between 2000 and 2013?

A) 34
B) 12
C) 84
D) 5

Question 28

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

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

Question 29

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) stratosphere
B) thermosphere
C) mesosphere
D) troposphere

Question 30

Ozone is concentrated in the:

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

Question 31

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

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

Question 32

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

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

Question 33

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

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

Question 34

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

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

Question 35

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

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

Question 36

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

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

Question 37

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

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

Question 38

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

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

Question 39

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

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

Question 40

Atmospheric pressure is caused by:

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

Question 41

The term troposphere literally means:

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

Question 42

Earthquakes and volcanoes are both phenomena produced by the:

A) hydrosphere.
B) atmosphere.
C) geosphere.
D) biosphere.

Question 43

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 meteors and their effects on the atmosphere.
D) is the study of the long- term average weather conditions at a given location.

Question 44

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

Question 45

Which of the following statements is an expression of climate?

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

Question 46

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

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

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

Question 47

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

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

Question 48

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

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

Question 49

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

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

Question 50

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

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

Question 51

Which of the following is an example of an interface?

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

Question 52

The BEST definition of the term climate is:

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

Question 53

Which of the following spheres is composed exclusively of water?

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

Question 54

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

The aurora borealis will most likely be stronger:

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

Question 55

Because of limitations in existing technology, which layer of the atmosphere do we know the LEAST about?

A) Stratosphere
B) Mesosphere
C) Thermosphere
D) Troposphere

Question 56

The auroras that are visible in the southern hemisphere are the:

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

Question 57

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

You are gathering information for a severe weather forecast and you need to know the temperature and relative humidity of the air all the way up to the tropopause. The instrument you need to employ is:

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

Question 58

The least dense portion of the solid Earth is the:

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

Question 59

The "weather sphere" is in the:

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

Question 60

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

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

Question 61

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

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

Question 62

Air may best be described as:

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

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT true of radiosondes?

A) They are critical sources of data for weather forecasters.
B) They never record positive lapse rates (increasing temperature with height) until they pass into the stratosphere.
C) They send meteorological data to the ground via radio transmitters.
D) They are carried aloft by weather balloons.

Question 64

The lowest temperatures in the atmosphere exist in the:

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

Question 65

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

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

Question 66

What causes the region of warmer temperatures found in the stratosphere?

Question 67

A lightweight instrument package that is carried aloft by a balloon and transmits data on temperature, pressure, and humidity is called a(n) _______ .

Question 68

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

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

Question 69

The ozone layer is found in the:

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

Question 70

What are the two energy sources for the earth system?

Question 71

The earth's physical environment is traditionally divided into three major parts, one solid, one liquid, and one gaseous. List these three parts.

Question 72

The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place defines the term________ .

Question 73

Use the weather map above to answer the following questions.
a) Based on this map, what kind of weather might you generally expect to be associated with a low pressure system (red L)?
b) Describe the temperature and precipitation currently occurring in Wisconsin.

Question 74

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

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

Question 75

Carbon dioxide currently has a concentration of__________in the homosphere.

A) 270 ppm
B) 315 ppm
C) 580 ppm
D) 400 ppm

Question 76

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

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

Question 77

The primary usefulness of satellites in observing the weather is their ability to provide__________
.

Question 78

With an INCREASE in altitude, air pressure:

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

Question 79

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

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

Question 80

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) 0.5°C
C) 9.2°C
D) The answer cannot be calculated with the information given.