Question 1

Changes in the driving of the atmosphere by _______ are a form of climate change.

Accepted Answer

A)  continental drift 
B)  geothermal activity 
C)  salinization of groundwater 
D)  the sun 
E)  albedo 
A)  continental drift 
B)  geothermal activity 
C)  salinization of groundwater 
D)  the sun 
E)  albedo D

Question 2

The recent period of global warming

Accepted Answer

A)  is unprecedented in Earth's history. 
B)  can be easily and accurately predicted. 
C)  is suspected to result in part from human activities. 
D)  has been accompanied by a decrease in CO2 concentrations. 
E)  cannot be documented by accurate temperature records. 
A)  is unprecedented in Earth's history. 
B)  can be easily and accurately predicted. 
C)  is suspected to result in part from human activities. 
D)  has been accompanied by a decrease in CO2 concentrations. 
E)  cannot be documented by accurate temperature records. C

Question 3

Give three examples of physical evidence that the climate of Earth is rapidly changing.

Accepted Answer

(1) Global sea level rose 17 cm in the past 100 years, double the rate of the previous century. 
(2) Ten of the warmest years since thermometers were being used to record temperatures (more than 120 years) have occurred in the past 12 years. 
(3) The oceans have warmed 0.17 C since 1969. 
(4) The ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have decreased considerably in the past 10 years. 
(5) Arctic sea ice has lost mass and thickness. 
(6) Glaciers are in retreat globally.
(7) Unprecedented record high temperatures are being encountered.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a driver in Earth's climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The gravitational pull of the moon 
B)  The sun 
C)  Ocean currents 
D)  Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 
E)  Clouds 
A)  The gravitational pull of the moon 
B)  The sun 
C)  Ocean currents 
D)  Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 
E)  Clouds

Question 5

CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere _______ the past 160,000 years.

Accepted Answer

A)  have been equal to methane for 
B)  are higher today than at any time in 
C)  have followed the opposite trends of temperature for 
D)  have been relatively constant for 
E)  have been constant during periods of glaciation over 
A)  have been equal to methane for 
B)  are higher today than at any time in 
C)  have followed the opposite trends of temperature for 
D)  have been relatively constant for 
E)  have been constant during periods of glaciation over

Question 6

The most recent glaciation event ended _______ years ago.

Accepted Answer

A)  600 
B)  14,000 
C)  145,000 
D)  5 million 
E)  65 million 
A)  600 
B)  14,000 
C)  145,000 
D)  5 million 
E)  65 million

Question 7

Ozone exists mostly

Accepted Answer

A)  in the stratosphere. 
B)  underground in reservoirs. 
C)  dissolved in water. 
D)  in the cryosphere. 
E)  None of the above 
A)  in the stratosphere. 
B)  underground in reservoirs. 
C)  dissolved in water. 
D)  in the cryosphere. 
E)  None of the above

Question 8

Components of the climate system do not include

Accepted Answer

A)  the sun. 
B)  oceans. 
C)  glaciers. 
D)  the atmosphere. 
E)  cosmic rays. 
A)  the sun. 
B)  oceans. 
C)  glaciers. 
D)  the atmosphere. 
E)  cosmic rays.

Question 9

Which of the following does not play a role in reflecting incident sunlight back into space?

Accepted Answer

A)  Methane 
B)  Ice 
C)  Clouds 
D)  Sulfur oxides 
E)  Particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere 
A)  Methane 
B)  Ice 
C)  Clouds 
D)  Sulfur oxides 
E)  Particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere

Question 10

A variable component of the atmosphere found in aerosols and particulate matter emanating from volcanoes and agriculture is/are

Accepted Answer

A)  helium. 
B)  carbon monoxide. 
C)  CFCs. 
D)  sulphate aerosols. 
E)  water vapor. 
A)  helium. 
B)  carbon monoxide. 
C)  CFCs. 
D)  sulphate aerosols. 
E)  water vapor.

Question 11

Give some examples of the role that water plays global climate change.

Accepted Answer

The oceans are a very efficient sink for

Question 12

Describe how scientists have determined Earth's temperatures and CO2 content from thousands of years ago.

Accepted Answer

Temperatures and CO₂ concentrations in th

Question 13

Potential evidence that human activities are contributing to global warming includes

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing sunspot activity. 
B)  very intense hurricanes in the past decade. 
C)  the increase of global average temperatures and CO2 concentrations together since the advent of industrialization. 
D)  rapidly rising sea levels over the past century. 
E)  the shrinking of the hole in the ozone. 
A)  increasing sunspot activity. 
B)  very intense hurricanes in the past decade. 
C)  the increase of global average temperatures and CO2 concentrations together since the advent of industrialization. 
D)  rapidly rising sea levels over the past century. 
E)  the shrinking of the hole in the ozone.

Question 14

The evolution of the average behavior of the Earth's atmosphere over time is called

Accepted Answer

A)  weather. 
B)  climate. 
C)  climate change. 
D)  hurricanes. 
E)  stratospheric migration. 
A)  weather. 
B)  climate. 
C)  climate change. 
D)  hurricanes. 
E)  stratospheric migration.

Question 15

The greenhouse effect describes what interaction?

Accepted Answer

A)  The reflection of radiant energy by the glaciers and the absorption of energy by the oceans 
B)  The reflection of about 50% of the sun's incident energy before it reaches Earth's surface 
C)  The absorption and subsequent re-emission of longwave radiation by certain gases in the atmosphere 
D)  The destruction of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons 
E)  The elevated temperatures above cities and other constructed environments 
A)  The reflection of radiant energy by the glaciers and the absorption of energy by the oceans 
B)  The reflection of about 50% of the sun's incident energy before it reaches Earth's surface 
C)  The absorption and subsequent re-emission of longwave radiation by certain gases in the atmosphere 
D)  The destruction of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons 
E)  The elevated temperatures above cities and other constructed environments

Question 16

Wetlands are an important source of methane but draining wetlands results in large emissions of CO2 as the built-up organic materials oxidize. Ignoring ecological impacts, how could you decide whether keeping the wetland or draining it is the best option for greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

Methane has a much higher global warming

Question 17

Which of the following statements about stratospheric ozone is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ozone is formed by the interaction of O2 and ultraviolet light. 
B)  A "hole" in the ozone was observed above the equator. 
C)  Ozone is destroyed by the presence of NOx and chlorine-containing compounds. 
D)  The absence of stratospheric ozone allows harmful radiation to strike Earth's surface. 
E)  Stratospheric ozone is a good thing but ozone on the surface of Earth is pollution. 
A)  Ozone is formed by the interaction of O2 and ultraviolet light. 
B)  A "hole" in the ozone was observed above the equator. 
C)  Ozone is destroyed by the presence of NOx and chlorine-containing compounds. 
D)  The absence of stratospheric ozone allows harmful radiation to strike Earth's surface. 
E)  Stratospheric ozone is a good thing but ozone on the surface of Earth is pollution.

Question 18

Which of the following statements concerning the composition of the atmosphere is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Water consistently is the gas present in the highest concentrations. 
B)  N2 and O2 concentrations tend to be variable. 
C)  CO2 is present in the lowest concentration of all gases. 
D)  Methane concentration is about 17 parts per million by volume. 
E)  Carbon monoxide concentration is 388 parts per million. 
A)  Water consistently is the gas present in the highest concentrations. 
B)  N2 and O2 concentrations tend to be variable. 
C)  CO2 is present in the lowest concentration of all gases. 
D)  Methane concentration is about 17 parts per million by volume. 
E)  Carbon monoxide concentration is 388 parts per million.

Question 19

If you were to measure the composition of the atmosphere across the globe, the composition would be relatively constant except for

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen and oxygen. 
B)  oxygen and helium. 
C)  helium and carbon dioxide. 
D)  carbon dioxide and water vapor. 
E)  water vapor and ozone. 
A)  nitrogen and oxygen. 
B)  oxygen and helium. 
C)  helium and carbon dioxide. 
D)  carbon dioxide and water vapor. 
E)  water vapor and ozone.

Question 20

What are CFCs, how were they used, and why were they banned?

Accepted Answer

CFCs are chlorofluorocarbons and were us

Changes in the driving of the atmosphere by _______ are a form of climate change.

The recent period of global warming

Give three examples of physical evidence that the climate of Earth is rapidly changing.

Which of the following is not a driver in Earth's climate?

CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere _______ the past 160,000 years.

The most recent glaciation event ended _______ years ago.

Ozone exists mostly

Components of the climate system do not include

Which of the following does not play a role in reflecting incident sunlight back into space?

A variable component of the atmosphere found in aerosols and particulate matter emanating from volcanoes and agriculture is/are

Give some examples of the role that water plays global climate change.

Describe how scientists have determined Earth's temperatures and CO₂ content from thousands of years ago.

Potential evidence that human activities are contributing to global warming includes

The evolution of the average behavior of the Earth's atmosphere over time is called

The greenhouse effect describes what interaction?

Wetlands are an important source of methane but draining wetlands results in large emissions of CO₂ as the built-up organic materials oxidize. Ignoring ecological impacts, how could you decide whether keeping the wetland or draining it is the best option for greenhouse gas emissions?

Which of the following statements about stratospheric ozone is false?

Which of the following statements concerning the composition of the atmosphere is true?

If you were to measure the composition of the atmosphere across the globe, the composition would be relatively constant except for

What are CFCs, how were they used, and why were they banned?

The Scientific Method

Risk and Uncertainty

Biodiversity

Evolutionary Responses

Human Population Dynamics

Endangered Species

Interactions Among Species

Natural Resource Use and Planning

Energy Resources

Water Resources

Waste Management

Air Pollution

Policy, Ethics, and Decision-Making

Filters

Exam 12: Atmosphere and Climate

Changes in the driving of the atmosphere by _______ are a form of climate change.

The recent period of global warming

Give three examples of physical evidence that the climate of Earth is rapidly changing.

Which of the following is not a driver in Earth's climate?

CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere _______ the past 160,000 years.

The most recent glaciation event ended _______ years ago.

Ozone exists mostly

Components of the climate system do not include

Which of the following does not play a role in reflecting incident sunlight back into space?

A variable component of the atmosphere found in aerosols and particulate matter emanating from volcanoes and agriculture is/are

Give some examples of the role that water plays global climate change.

Describe how scientists have determined Earth's temperatures and CO2 content from thousands of years ago.

Potential evidence that human activities are contributing to global warming includes

The evolution of the average behavior of the Earth's atmosphere over time is called

The greenhouse effect describes what interaction?

Wetlands are an important source of methane but draining wetlands results in large emissions of CO2 as the built-up organic materials oxidize. Ignoring ecological impacts, how could you decide whether keeping the wetland or draining it is the best option for greenhouse gas emissions?

Which of the following statements about stratospheric ozone is false?

Which of the following statements concerning the composition of the atmosphere is true?

If you were to measure the composition of the atmosphere across the globe, the composition would be relatively constant except for

What are CFCs, how were they used, and why were they banned?

The Scientific Method

Risk and Uncertainty

Biodiversity

Evolutionary Responses

Human Population Dynamics

Endangered Species

Interactions Among Species

Natural Resource Use and Planning

Energy Resources

Water Resources

Waste Management

Air Pollution

Policy, Ethics, and Decision-Making

Filters

CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere _______ the past 160,000 years.

Describe how scientists have determined Earth's temperatures and CO₂ content from thousands of years ago.

Wetlands are an important source of methane but draining wetlands results in large emissions of CO₂ as the built-up organic materials oxidize. Ignoring ecological impacts, how could you decide whether keeping the wetland or draining it is the best option for greenhouse gas emissions?