Question 1

Convection currents in the atmosphere are driven by

Accepted Answer

A)  The different temperatures and densities of warm and cold air masses 
B)  The jet stream dipping down into the troposphere 
C)  Forces that scientists cannot yet explain 
D)  Bursts of energy emitted by the ionosphere 
E)  The surface winds, which in turn are influenced by the Coriolis effect 
A)  The different temperatures and densities of warm and cold air masses 
B)  The jet stream dipping down into the troposphere 
C)  Forces that scientists cannot yet explain 
D)  Bursts of energy emitted by the ionosphere 
E)  The surface winds, which in turn are influenced by the Coriolis effect A

Question 2

Nitrogen is the most abundant component of the air we breathe.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

What is the Kyoto Protocol? Discuss the role of the U.S. government, the role of big business in the U.S., and the role of individual citizens in meeting the standards set by the Kyoto Protocol.

Accepted Answer

The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty that was established in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. About 160 nations agreed to cut back on emissions of the main greenhouse gases to help with the problems associated with worldwide climate change. Even though the U.S. played an important role in leading the negotiations at Kyoto, it has never been ratified by the U.S. government. President Bush claims that it would be detrimental to our economy to do so.
Several big businesses in the U.S. have joined with four of the largest environmental groups to call for strong national legislation to ultimately achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gases. These are huge companies that can make a major impact (GE, Alcoa, BP Gas, etc.) if they are successful.
On an individual level, there are many things that can be done including: driving less, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle, planting trees, producing less waste (recycle or compost when possible), adjusting thermostats-especially when not at home, insulating your home, purchasing energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights, computers and other energy-consuming items when not in use, etc.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a consequence that we are seeing now? rev:10_31_2016_QC_CS-67878

Accepted Answer

A)  19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occured since 1980. 
B)  Arctic sea ice has approximately 50% of its thickness compared to 30 years ago. 
C)  During the last century, global average temperature has increased by 0.6$\degree$C. 
D)  Coral reefs are bleaching due to increased ocean temperatures. 
E)  All of these statements are true. 
A)  19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occured since 1980. 
B)  Arctic sea ice has approximately 50% of its thickness compared to 30 years ago. 
C)  During the last century, global average temperature has increased by 0.6$\degree$C. 
D)  Coral reefs are bleaching due to increased ocean temperatures. 
E)  All of these statements are true.

Question 5

Where air is sinking (high pressure), rainfall is likely as the air sinks.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Of the 20 hottest years ever recorded, _______ of them occurred since 1980.

Accepted Answer

A)  19 
B)  17 
C)  15 
D)  13 
A)  19 
B)  17 
C)  15 
D)  13

Question 7

The different layers of the atmosphere are kept from mixing by

Accepted Answer

A)  Sharp temperature boundaries 
B)  Contrasting gas compositions 
C)  The extreme stillness within each layer 
D)  Physical barriers composed of thick layers of atmospheric dust 
E)  Sharp density boundaries 
A)  Sharp temperature boundaries 
B)  Contrasting gas compositions 
C)  The extreme stillness within each layer 
D)  Physical barriers composed of thick layers of atmospheric dust 
E)  Sharp density boundaries

Question 8

Historical evidence suggests that substantive climate change

Accepted Answer

A)  nearly always has occurred over several million years. 
B)  is very new, limited in appearance to the last few centuries. 
C)  can happen in as short a period as a few decades. 
D)  nearly always occurs only during pronounced movement of tectonic plates. 
A)  nearly always has occurred over several million years. 
B)  is very new, limited in appearance to the last few centuries. 
C)  can happen in as short a period as a few decades. 
D)  nearly always occurs only during pronounced movement of tectonic plates.

Question 9

The greenhouse effect in the atmosphere occurs because

Accepted Answer

A)  Clouds reflect sunlight back into space 
B)  Oceans absorb heat, and then release it slowly at night 
C)  Stratospheric ozone absorbs UV radiation 
D)  CO2, water vapor, methanol, and other gases absorb infrared radiation 
E)  All of these are correct 
A)  Clouds reflect sunlight back into space 
B)  Oceans absorb heat, and then release it slowly at night 
C)  Stratospheric ozone absorbs UV radiation 
D)  CO2, water vapor, methanol, and other gases absorb infrared radiation 
E)  All of these are correct

Question 10

When cool, dry air sinks from the upper atmosphere toward the Earth's surface, it is

Accepted Answer

A)  Compressed and cooled further 
B)  Allowed to expand and become warmer 
C)  Compressed and becomes warmer 
D)  Forced to release any remaining moisture 
E)  Going to hold more water because there is more water vapor closer to the Earth's surface 
A)  Compressed and cooled further 
B)  Allowed to expand and become warmer 
C)  Compressed and becomes warmer 
D)  Forced to release any remaining moisture 
E)  Going to hold more water because there is more water vapor closer to the Earth's surface

Question 11

The earth's earliest atmosphere was probably composed mainly of __________, which has/have since largely dissipated into space.

Accepted Answer

A)  Hydrogen and helium 
B)  Carbon dioxide and methane 
C)  Oxygen 
D)  Water 
E)  Nitrogen and sulfur 
A)  Hydrogen and helium 
B)  Carbon dioxide and methane 
C)  Oxygen 
D)  Water 
E)  Nitrogen and sulfur

Question 12

Climate is a description of ________ weather conditions.

Accepted Answer

A)  Long-term regional 
B)  Stable and unchanging 
C)  Temporary 
D)  Temporary local 
E)  Annual 
A)  Long-term regional 
B)  Stable and unchanging 
C)  Temporary 
D)  Temporary local 
E)  Annual

Question 13

Hurricanes are powered by

Accepted Answer

A)  The hydrologic cycle 
B)  Rising air masses 
C)  Sinking air masses 
D)  The heat released from condensing water vapor 
E)  Subtropical jet streams coupled with convection currents 
A)  The hydrologic cycle 
B)  Rising air masses 
C)  Sinking air masses 
D)  The heat released from condensing water vapor 
E)  Subtropical jet streams coupled with convection currents

Question 14

Organisms are currently responding to climate change by extending their range into new territories.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The most effective and practical way of reducing CO2 emissions is to ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)  make many small changes over all of the human population that act like 'wedges' reducing emissions 
B)  switch to all renewable energy as soon as possible 
C)  stop all industry that emits CO2 regardless of the economic problems it may cause 
D)  There is no problem with climate change, so we do not need to do anything. 
A)  make many small changes over all of the human population that act like 'wedges' reducing emissions 
B)  switch to all renewable energy as soon as possible 
C)  stop all industry that emits CO2 regardless of the economic problems it may cause 
D)  There is no problem with climate change, so we do not need to do anything.

Question 16

A band of deserts rings the Earth at about 30$\degree$north and 30$\degree$south latitude because these are regions of

Accepted Answer

A)  Ascending, cooling air 
B)  Rising hot air 
C)  The earth's most intense solar energy 
D)  Air that cools as it descends 
E)  Descending, warming air 
A)  Ascending, cooling air 
B)  Rising hot air 
C)  The earth's most intense solar energy 
D)  Air that cools as it descends 
E)  Descending, warming air

Question 17

The pattern of absorbance of solar energy by the atmosphere includes

Accepted Answer

A)  heavy absorbance of visible light by carbon dioxide. 
B)  absorbance of infrared radiation by carbon dioxide and water vapor. 
C)  a remarkable uniformity in the proportion of different kinds of wavelengths absorbed by ozone. 
A)  heavy absorbance of visible light by carbon dioxide. 
B)  absorbance of infrared radiation by carbon dioxide and water vapor. 
C)  a remarkable uniformity in the proportion of different kinds of wavelengths absorbed by ozone.

Question 18

Intense sunlight causes a band of hot, rising air laden with evaporated water near the equator. This moisture then falls because

Accepted Answer

A)  Its potential energy increases with height 
B)  Warm air cannot hold much moisture 
C)  The rising air cools and loses its ability to hold water vapor 
D)  Moisture is condensed as convection currents carry air over hotter, drier regions 
E)  The moisture evaporates as convection currents carry air over hotter, drier regions 
A)  Its potential energy increases with height 
B)  Warm air cannot hold much moisture 
C)  The rising air cools and loses its ability to hold water vapor 
D)  Moisture is condensed as convection currents carry air over hotter, drier regions 
E)  The moisture evaporates as convection currents carry air over hotter, drier regions

Question 19

Milankovitch cycles involve the periodic ___________ and could be responsible for ________ weather changes.

Accepted Answer

A)  Convection currents in the lower atmosphere; drastic 
B)  Summer/winter seasonality on the Earth; gradual 
C)  Wobbling of the earth's axis and orbital shifts; cyclic 
D)  Tidal cycles from month to month; seasonal 
E)  Seasons; daily 
A)  Convection currents in the lower atmosphere; drastic 
B)  Summer/winter seasonality on the Earth; gradual 
C)  Wobbling of the earth's axis and orbital shifts; cyclic 
D)  Tidal cycles from month to month; seasonal 
E)  Seasons; daily

Question 20

Which developed nation has not signed the Kyoto Protocol?

Accepted Answer

A)  France 
B)  Japan 
C)  USA 
D)  Germany 
A)  France 
B)  Japan 
C)  USA 
D)  Germany

Exam 15: Climate Change

Convection currents in the atmosphere are driven by

Nitrogen is the most abundant component of the air we breathe.

What is the Kyoto Protocol? Discuss the role of the U.S. government, the role of big business in the U.S., and the role of individual citizens in meeting the standards set by the Kyoto Protocol.

Which of the following is NOT a consequence that we are seeing now? rev:10_31_2016_QC_CS-67878

Where air is sinking (high pressure), rainfall is likely as the air sinks.

Of the 20 hottest years ever recorded, _______ of them occurred since 1980.

The different layers of the atmosphere are kept from mixing by

Historical evidence suggests that substantive climate change

The greenhouse effect in the atmosphere occurs because

When cool, dry air sinks from the upper atmosphere toward the Earth's surface, it is

The earth's earliest atmosphere was probably composed mainly of __________, which has/have since largely dissipated into space.

Climate is a description of ________ weather conditions.

Hurricanes are powered by

Organisms are currently responding to climate change by extending their range into new territories.

The most effective and practical way of reducing CO2 emissions is to ___________.

A band of deserts rings the Earth at about 30 °\degree° north and 30 °\degree° south latitude because these are regions of

The pattern of absorbance of solar energy by the atmosphere includes

Intense sunlight causes a band of hot, rising air laden with evaporated water near the equator. This moisture then falls because

Milankovitch cycles involve the periodic ___________ and could be responsible for ________ weather changes.

Which developed nation has not signed the Kyoto Protocol?

Understanding Our Environment

Principles of Science and Systems

Matter, Energy, and Life

Evolution, Biological Communities, and Species Interactions

Biomes: Global Patterns of Life

Population Biology

Human Populations

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Food and Hunger

Farming: Conventional and Sustainable Practices

Biodiversity: Preserving Species

Biodiversity: Preserving Landscapes

Restoration Ecology

Geology and Earth Resources

Air Pollution

Water Use and Management

Water Pollution

Conventional Energy

Sustainable Energy

Solid, Toxic, and Hazardous Waste

Urbanization and Sustainable Cities

Ecological Economics

Environmental Policy, Law, and Planning

What Then Shall We Do

Filters

The most effective and practical way of reducing CO₂emissions is to ___________.

A band of deserts rings the Earth at about 30 $\degree$ north and 30 $\degree$ south latitude because these are regions of

Milankovitch cycles involve the periodic ___ and could be responsible for weather changes.