Deck 3: Energy Balance Essentials

Question 1

The insolation received at Earthʹs surface is

A)usually low at the equator.
B)greatest over low-latitude deserts with their cloudless skies.
C)inadequate to sustain life.
D)generally greater at high latitudes because of daylength.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Earthʹs main energy outputs are

A)visible and infrared radiation.
B)reflected light and thermal infrared radiation.
C)gamma rays,X-rays,and ultraviolet radiation.
D)ultraviolet radiation and visible radiation.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following is CORRECTLY matched?

A)Insolation longwave radiation thermal infrared radiation
B)Insolation shortwave radiation UV,visible,and near infrared
C)Terrestrial radiation shortwave radiation thermal infrared radiation
D)Terrestrial radiation shortwave radiation UV,visible,and near infrared

Answer 3

B

Question 4

For Earthʹs energy budget,is energy income and energy expenditures.

A)insolation; radiation to space
B)transmission; reflection
C)reflection; albedo
D)refraction; scatter

Question 5

Kinetic energy is defined as

A)energy flow between molecules.
B)the energy of motion.
C)energy gained or lost when a substance changes states.
D)stored energy.

Question 6

A stove that circulates heated air to uniformly cook food is an example of heat transfer.

A)kinetic
B)latent
C)conductional
D)convectional

Question 7

When light passes from one medium to another,resulting in a change in its speed and direction

A)transmission happens.
B)refraction occurs.
C)Rayleigh scattering is the predominant effect.
D)it is usually not affected physically.

Question 8

Which two gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect because of their ability to absorb infrared energy?

A)Water vapor and carbon dioxide
B)Oxygen and hydrogen
C)Ozone and dust
D)Nitrogen and oxygen

Question 9

Molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy is

A)latent heat.
B)advection.
C)convection.
D)conduction.

Question 10

Earthʹs main energy inputs are

A)gamma rays,X-rays,and ultraviolet radiation.
B)longwave radiation and ultraviolet light.
C)ultraviolet,visible,and near infrared radiation.
D)near infrared and far infrared (i.e.,longwave radiation).

Question 11

Scattering caused by atmospheric particles larger than the wavelengths of light is

A)transmission.
B)refraction.
C)Rayleigh scattering.
D)Mie scattering.

Question 12

A vertical air current that is generated by temperature -induced density differences is an example of heat transfer by

A)diffusion.
B)transmission.
C)conduction.
D)advection.
E)convection.

Question 13

The sky (lower tropopause)appears blue in color because of

A)reflection.
B)diffuse radiation.
C)scattering.
D)absorption of blue wavelengths of visible light.

Question 14

Which of the following is CORRECTLY matched?

A)Conduction molecule-to-molecule heat transfer
B)Advection strongly vertical mixing
C)Convection strongly horizontal mixing
D)Radiation assimilation and conversion of

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE?

A)Insolation is equal at all surfaces across the globe.
B)There is always a very predictable latitudinal gradient of insolation.
C)The highest levels of insolation occur in the equatorial and tropical latitudes.
D)The poles receive the highest amount of insolation.

Question 16

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding the Northwest and Northeast Passages?

A)Until recently,sea ice blocked the routes,making them unavailable for shipping.
B)They have been blocked since 2007 by increasing ice.
C)They have been used for shipping and circumnavigation since the 1800s.
D)They are expected to remain open until 2015.

Question 17

Refraction results in changes in both of light.

A)speed and direction
B)conduction and convection
C)Rayleigh scattering and mie scattering
D)albedo and absorption
E)color and reflection

Question 18

The passage of either shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere and water is an example of

A)refraction.
B)transmission.
C)absorption
D)insolation.

Question 19

Conduction refers to

A)the behavior of something.
B)strong vertical movement of air in the atmosphere.
C)the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy.
D)strong horizontal movement of air in the atmosphere.

Question 20

The principle that explains the scattering of shortwave radiation and accounts for Earthʹs blue sky is

A)Rayleigh scattering.
B)refraction.
C)Mie scattering.
D)transmission.

Question 21

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white,the temperature of the planet would because insolation would be absorbed.

A)increase; more
B)decrease; less
C)increase; less
D)decrease; more

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the energy surplus between the tropics?

A)Consistent daylength
B)Transfer of heat from the poles
C)High insolation
D)Little seasonal variations

Question 23

An increase in the amount of high altitude,thin clouds would

A)cool the planet in a process called cloud-albedo forcing.
B)have no effect on the planetʹs temperature because insolation is constant.
C)warm the planet in a process called cloud-greenhouse forcing.

Question 24

Differential transmissivity of shortwave insolation and longwave terrestrial radiation by various atmospheric gases is better known as the

A)global warming.
B)greenhouse effect.
C)global dimming.
D)cloud-albedo forcing

Question 25

Because of the process known as the Sun appears above the horizon it has actually risen.

A)refraction; after
B)transmission; before
C)refraction; before
D)transmission; after
E)reflection; before

Question 26

The reflective quality of a surface is known as its

A)conduction.
B)absorption.
C)scattering.
D)albedo.

Question 27

Which of the following is TRUE of the albedo of water?

A)It never changes albedos are constant values
B)It changes,depending upon the Sun altitude.
C)It is less for frozen water than for liquid water.
D)It is greatest when the Sun is low in the sky.

Question 28

Which of the following is a nonradiative transfer of longwave radiation to the atmosphere?

A)The greenhouse effect.
B)Stratospheric ozone radiation.
C)Conduction from the surface.
D)Latent heat transfer.

Question 29

The assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter is

A)reflection.
B)absorption.
C)transmission.
D)refraction.

Question 30

Which of the following has the highest albedo?

A)Fresh snow
B)Dry,light sandy soils
C)Asphalt
D)Forests

Question 31

The general term describing the pollution-related decline in insolation reaching Earthʹs surface is

A)atmospheric albedo.
B)earthshine.
C)global dimming.
D)greenhouse effect.

Question 32

If the amount of low,thick stratus cloud cover increases,Earthʹs climates would likely due to increased .

A)warm; reflectivity
B)cool; absorption
C)warm; absorption
D)cool; reflectivity

Question 33

Which of the following has the lowest albedo?

A)Forests
B)Pack ice off the coast of Antarctica
C)The Moon
D)Snow that is polluted and several days old
E)Dry,light sandy soils

Question 34

The Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 affected the atmosphere in all of the following ways EXCEPT which?

A)An increase occurred in the amount of energy absorbed in the atmosphere.
B)A worldwide decrease in surface temperatures occurred in the two years after the eruption.
C)The atmospheric albedo increased.
D)A decrease in atmospheric aerosols.

Question 35

The analogy of a greenhouse is

A)a useful,but inaccurate model since atmospheric gases do not trap,but absorb heat.
B)exactly how Earth-atmosphere system operates.
C)while it incorrectly describes shortwave energy transmission,it perfectly encapsulates how longwave terrestrial radiation is trapped.
D)completely unrelated to our Earth-atmosphere system,and should never have been used to describe global warming.

Question 36

The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines the global albedo,resulting in a temporary of Earth.

A)decreased; warming
B)decreased; cooling
C)increased; warming
D)increased; cooling

Question 37

If a surface absorbs insolation

A)refraction occurs.
B)its temperature increases.
C)diffuse radiation occurs.
D)its temperature is unaffected.
E)its temperature decreases.

Question 38

Earthʹs average overall albedo is

A)31 percent.
B)51 percent.
C)69 percent.
D)unknown.

Question 39

The albedo of a surface is a measure of which of the following processes?

A)Reflection
B)Transmission
C)Solar radiation receipt
D)Scattering

Question 40

An image that appears near the horizon when layers of air are at different temperatures and densities is a(n)and an example of .

A)Rayleigh scatter; albedo
B)reflection; albedo
C)mirage; refraction.
D)reflection; refraction.

Question 41

The relationship between insolation and air temperature through the course of day shows

A)air temperature maximum and minimums are not related to insolation.
B)air temperature reaches a minimum at midnight when there is no insolation.
C)air temperature reaches a maximum after noon,whereas insolution reaches a maximum at noon.
D)air temperature reaches a maximum at noon when insolation also reaches a maximum.

Question 42

The science that specifically studies the climate at or near Earthʹs surface is

A)microclimatology.
B)meteorology.
C)micrometeorology.
D)astronomy.

Question 43

Sensible heat transfer (H)refers to energy transfer between the air and the surface by

A)turbulent eddies,convection,and conduction.
B)evaporation of water.
C)ground heating.
D)reflection of insolation.

Question 44

Net radiation (NET R)refers to

A)the amount of insolation coming into the surface.
B)the balance of all radiation incoming and outgoing at Earthʹs surface.
C)the amount of insolation not absorbed at the surface.
D)the net energy expended for ground heating and cooling.

Question 45

When water evaporates,the energy that was used to evaporate the water

A)is stored as sensible heat in the evaporated water.
B)is transferred to the air by advection when the water evaporates.
C)is stored as latent heat in the evaporated water.
D)is conducted into the underlying layer of water.

Question 46

When water evaporates from a surface,which of the following occurs?

A)Heat is transferred back and forth between the air and surface.
B)Energy is released to the surface.
C)The surface is warmed.
D)Energy is stored within the water.

Question 47

The relationship between the insolation curve and the air temperature curve on a graph of daily surface energy

A)exhibits a lag of several hours between the plotted lines.
B)shows that peak temperatures occur near noon,whereas peak insolation receipt is at 3:00 or 4:00 P.M.
C)coincide at noon.
D)shows little or no relationship between the two variables.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT true of the freezing point of water?

A)Freezing point ranges from 0°C to -40°C (32°F to -40°F).
B)Purity of water can influence freezing point.
C)There is a single freezing point,0°C (32°F).
D)Freezing point varies with volume and atmospheric conditions.

Question 49

On the average,which of the following is TRUE regarding the distribution of shortwave and longwave energy at Earthʹs surface by latitude?

A)The polar regions are areas of net surpluses.
B)The distribution shows an imbalance of net radiation from equator to poles.
C)More energy is lost than is gained in the equatorial regions.
D)The equatorial zone is a region of net deficits.

Question 50

The time of maximum daily temperature occurs

A)after the time of maximum insolation,because the ground starts to reflect heat energy in the late afternoon,and this creates an energy surplus.
B)before the time of maximum insolation occurs,because the thermosphere transfers heat energy to the surface during the early morning hours as the D and E layers in the ionosphere become active.
C)at the same time that maximum insolation occurs,because that is when maximum energy is available for heating the air.
D)after the time of maximum insolation,because an energy surplus accumulates in the atmosphere while the Sun is still high in the sky and reaches a peak in mid-afternoon.
E)before the time of maximum insolation,because the residual heat energy left over in the atmosphere from the previous day adds to the energy supplied by insolation.

Question 51

Most countries use the temperature scale.

A)Celsius
B)Kelvin
C)Fahrenheit
D)Rankine

Question 52

Official temperatures are measured using thermometers placed in shelters that are

A)non-ventilated and black boxes,placed at ground level.
B)in black boxes placed in direct sunlight for maximum insolation absorption.
C)placed a few feet above the ground in louvered white boxes.
D)at ground level,in direct sunlight.

Question 53

Longwave radiation (+ LW)arriving at Earthʹs surface

A)comes directly from the Sun.
B)comes from UV radiation reflected from the bottoms of clouds.
C)comes from diffuse solar radiation.
D)comes primarily from infrared energy absorbed and re-radiated by the atmosphere.

Question 54

NET R values are positive

A)during the night when +LW is at a maximum.
B)during daylight hours,peaking just after noon with the peak of insolation.
C)after dusk due to a lag effect of outgoing infrared radiation.
D)during the daylight hours,peaking just after sunrise.

Question 55

Temperature is

A)measure of the average kinetic energy of individual molecules in matter.
B)a function of insolation and windspeed.
C)heat,as perceived by humans and other living things.
D)a form of energy.

Question 56

On land,the highest annual values for latent heat of evaporation (LE)occur

A)in the tropics.
B)near the poles.
C)in the midlatitudes.
D)over the subtropics.

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the energy deficit in the polar regions?

A)Low sun angle
B)Little seasonal variability
C)High albedo due to snow and ice
D)Up to six months without insolation

Question 58

Which of the following is TRUE of differences in latitudinal energy?

A)The equator has an energy balance in the summer,but a deficit in the winter.
B)There is an energy balance between energy gains and losses around 36° latitude.
C)Energy imbalances betweens the tropics and the poles are negligible.
D)There is year-round energy deficit at the Tropic of Capricorn.

Question 59

In colder temperatures,alcohol thermometers are preferred to mercury thermometers because

A)alcohol thermometers are less expensive and more easily to replace if broken in extreme temperatures.
B)mercury freezes at -39°C (-38.2°F),whereas alcohol freezes at -120°C (-170°F).
C)alcohol thermometers are generally more accurate,especially in cold temperatures.
D)mercury is poisonous and are rarely used in modern thermometers any more.

Question 60

In the surface energy budget,- SW represents

A)shortwave reflectance.
B)heat.
C)incoming energy.
D)NET R.

Question 61

The best thermometer to use where temperatures drop below -39°C (-38.2°F)is

A)a barometric thermometer.
B)a mercury thermometer.
C)an alcohol thermometer.
D)a bulb mounted in direct sunshine.

Question 62

Relative to latitude and surface energy receipts,which of the following is TRUE?

A)Seasonal effects increase toward the equator.
B)Daylength decreases with increasing latitude in summer.
C)Insolation intensity decreases with distance from the subsolar point.
D)Insolation intensity increases with distance from the subsolar point.

Question 63

The principal controls and influences of temperature patterns include

A)the distance of Earth from the sun and sunspot activity.
B)latitude,altitude,land-water heating differences,cloud cover,ocean currents,and surface conditions.
C)Earthʹs tilt,rotation,revolution,and sphericity.
D)the seasons and human activity.

Question 64

6.4°C/1000 m (3.5°F/1000 ft.)refers to

A)an environmental lapse rate.
B)the normal lapse rate.
C)a latitudinal lapse rate.
D)a measure of air pressure.

Question 65

Salvador,Brazil is located at 13° S (and at an elevation of 9 m).Based on its latitudinal position,which of the following likely best describes its temperature.

A)Cool and mild temperatures predominate throughout the year.
B)Temperatures can range from -10°C (14°F)in the winter to 21°C (70°F)in the summer.
C)Summers are exceptionally hot,but winters are typically quite mild.
D)The temperature is consistently high throughout the year.
E)Seasonal variations of temperature are most pronounced in the summer.

Question 66

Imagine two hypothetical cities,both located at 12° N latitude.However,one is located near sea level,while the other at an elevation of 4,000 m (13,123 ft)above sea level.Which of the following is likely TRUE?

A)Though both cities are within the tropics,the city at the higher elevation has both average monthly and yearly temperatures lower than the city near sea level.
B)The city at the higher elevation has extremely cold winters (similar to those at high latitudes).
C)Annual temperatures for the city at the lower elevation are lower than those at the city at the higher elevation.
D)The climate of the two cities are quite similar.

Question 67

Within the troposphere,temperatures and density with increasing altitude above Earthʹs surface.

A)decrease and increase,respectively
B)both decrease
C)increase and decrease,respectively
D)both increase

Question 68

The size of one Kelvin unit is

A)twice as large as one Celsius degree.
B)the same size as one Fahrenheit degree.
C)two times smaller than one Celsius degree.
D)the same size as one Celsius degree.

Question 69

The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales only coincide at

A)212°.
B)-273°.
C)0°.
D)-40°.

Question 70

If the temperature at the surface of Earth (at sea level)is 100 °F,what is the temperature at 2000 feet if the normal lapse rate is 3.5°F/1000 feet?

A)107°F
B)93°F
C)96.5°F
D)103.5°F

Question 71

If the temperature at the surface of Earth (at sea level)is 40°C,what is the temperature at 2000 m if the normal lapse rate is 6.4°C/1000 m?

A)33.6°C
B)46.4°C
C)27.2°C
D)52.8°C

Question 72

Elevation typically refers to whereas altitude refers to .

A)the height above sea level of a point on Earthʹs surface; the height of an object in the air above a point on Earthʹs surface
B)both refer to the height above Earthʹs surface
C)both refer to the height of a point on Earthʹs surface
D)the height of an object in the air above a point on Earthʹs surface; the height above sea level of a point on Earthʹs surface

Question 73

Which of the following is TRUE regarding locations at high elevations?

A)The density of air increases with increasing elevation.
B)Temperatures at night,and in the shadows,are greater at higher elevations.
C)Higher elevations experience higher temperatures during the day because they are closer to the Sun.
D)Higher elevations experience lower average temperatures during both day and night.

Question 74

Land surface temperature (LST)is

A)highest in areas with high albedo and dense cloud cover.
B)a measure of the heating of the land surface and is distinct from air temperature.
C)often much cooler than air temperature due to vegetation cover.
D)measured using a ground network of at least one station per 250,000 km 2 across the globe.

Question 75

The expression of the heat capacity of a substance is the substanceʹs

A)heat of vaporization.
B)latent heat.
C)specific heat.
D)kinetic potential.

Question 76

The Celsius scale

A)was developed by Fahrenheit,who also developed the alcohol and mercury thermometers.
B)was developed by the British physicist Lord Kelvin.
C)is used exclusively in the United States.
D)places freezing at 0° and was formerly called centigrade.
E)places freezing at 32° and boiling at 212°.

Question 77

The land-water heating difference that specifically relates to opaqueness is

A)transparency.
B)evaporation.
C)specific heat.
D)altitude.

Question 78

The single most important control on temperature is

A)latitude.
B)distribution of land and water.
C)insolation.
D)altitude.

Question 79

Which of the following is INCORRECT regarding the differences in the heating of land and water?

A)Water has mobility and is mixed in ocean currents.
B)A greater amount of evaporation occurs over oceans than over land.
C)Soil has a higher specific heat than water.
D)Water transmits through water better than soil.

Question 80

Air pressure at 5500 m (18,000 ft.)is percent of that at sea level.

A)0
B)10
C)30
D)50