Deck 2: Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Question 1

Our planet and our lives are powered by

A)energy derived from inside Earth.
B)radiant energy from the Sun.
C)utilities and oil companies.
D)shorter wavelengths of gamma rays,X-rays,and ultraviolet.
E)internal combustion at Earth's core.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following accurately describes Earth's distance from the Sun?

A)the Earth-Sun distance averages 150 million kilometers.
B)it takes light an average of 8 hours and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth.
C)Earth is closer to the Sun in July (perihelion)and farther away in January (aphelion).
D)it varies by up to 50% throughout its orbit
E)it remains constant through time.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The Sun produces which of the following?

A)mainly visible light and infrared energy
B)mainly ultraviolet and X-rays
C)only solar wind
D)only radiant energy that is beneficial to life
E)only heat

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following is true of Earth's orbit about the Sun?

A)it is perfectly circular.
B)it is elliptical.
C)it takes approximately the same time for Earth to orbit the Sun as it does for the rest of the planets in the solar system to orbit the Sun.
D)the orbit does not vary over millions of years.
E)it gets shorter every year.

Question 5

Light travels at a speed of approximately

A)80 500 kilometres per hour.
B)300 000 kilometres per hour.
C)300 000 kilometres per second.
D)1 000 000 000 kilometres per second.
E)400 000 kilometres per year.

Question 6

Earth and the Sun formed specifically from

A)the galaxy.
B)unknown origins.
C)a nebula of dust and gases.
D)other planets.
E)transference of energy into matter through fission.

Question 7

The Milky Way galaxy

A)is a conical galaxy.
B)is one of millions of galaxies in the universe.
C)contains approximately 20 billion stars.
D)is the centre of the universe.
E)cannot be seen from Earth.

Question 8

Which of the following is true?

A)the Sun is the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.
B)the Milky Way is part of our Solar System.
C)the Sun produces energy through fusion processes.
D)the Sun is also a planet.
E)the Sun has a liquid atmosphere.

Question 9

During the process by which energy is produced inside of stars,

A)hydrogen is fused together to form helium.
B)helium is fused together to form hydrogen.
C)hydrogen splits to form helium.
D)helium splits to form hydrogen.
E)oxygen splits from ozone.

Question 10

Of all the matter in the Solar System,

A)the Sun captured over 99 percent.
B)the bulk remains with all the planets and their satellites.
C)most resides in the planet Jupiter-the largest planet in the solar system.
D)most is scattered about the solar system as individual atoms and molecules.
E)there is no matter in our Solar System,only energy.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is correct?

A)a star and the planets that orbit it make up a solar system.
B)it takes light about 10 000 years to cross our galaxy.
C)a galaxy consists of hundreds of solar systems.
D)when we look at the stars in the night sky,we are looking forward in time.
E)time and distance are not related in the universe.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of galaxies?

A)each galaxy has one star.
B)galaxies are measured by the speed of sound.
C)a typical galaxy,such as the Milky Way,is about 5 billion miles in diameter.
D)great clouds of gas and dust known as nebula occur within galaxies.
E)three galaxies exist in the universe.

Question 13

The basic idea behind the planetesimal hypothesis is that

A)planets form as a direct result of the nuclear fusion of nebular gases and planetesimals.
B)planets form from the remains of super-giant planetesimals that undergo nuclear fission and blow apart,thereby creating smaller objects-the planets.
C)early in the solar system's history,a star passed near to the Sun and pulled off gases that eventually condensed to form planets.
D)matter in a nebula experiences mutual gravitational attraction,and this results in the gradual accretion of larger and larger bodies-planetesimals.
E)electrical space storms charged particles that were attracted together to form planets.

Question 14

The planets in the solar system are believed to have formed as a result of a process known as ________ which is caused by ________.

A)acceleration centrifugal force
B)fusion gravity
C)fission gravity
D)accretion gravity
E)accretion centrifugal

Question 15

Which of the following is true of stars?

A)they form in great clouds of gas and dust known as nebula.
B)very few violent physical phenomena occur in stars.
C)new atoms are created in space and attracted to stars.
D)nuclear fission destroys stars.
E)stars have a solid iron core.

Question 16

Which of the following is true?

A)It takes light about 100 000 years to cross our galaxy.
B)If you could see the most distant parts of our universe,you would be looking at least ten billion years back in time.
C)Because of the distances to the stars,it is impossible to see stars "in the present." Each is seen at a different point in time in the past.
D)All of the above are true.
E)None of the above are true.

Question 17

The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of the

A)universe.
B)galaxy.
C)planets.
D)ocean basins.
E)atmosphere.

Question 18

The flattened structure of the Milky Way is revealed by

A)the constellations of the Zodiac.
B)a narrow band of hazy light that stretches across the night sky.
C)the alignment of the planets in the solar system.
D)the plane of the ecliptic.
E)axial tilt.

Question 19

The solar wind consists principally of

A)neutral hydrogen and helium atoms.
B)planetesimals.
C)free neutrons.
D)positively charged hydrogen nuclei and free electrons.
E)oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Question 20

Which of the following is false?

A)the planets orbit the Sun,and the Sun and Solar System are part of the Milky Way Galaxy.
B)the Sun produces energy through fusion.
C)the Sun is by far the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.
D)the Sun is average in colour,temperature,and size when compared to other stars.
E)the Sun constantly emits clouds of electrically charged particles.

Question 21

Electromagnetic energy

A)is incapable of travelling through outer space.
B)is made up of wavelengths of energy that travel at the same speed.
C)can be seen throughout the entire spectrum.
D)consists of wavelengths which are directly proportional to the temperature of the emitter i.e. ,as temperature of the emitting object increases,the wavelength also increases.
E)is emitted in greater amounts at all wavelengths by hotter objects.

Question 22

Which of the following is true of the relationship between sunspots and certain cyclic weather effects?

A)the connection between sunspot cycles and weather is well established.
B)the correlation between the two phenomena is interesting,but a direct link remains unconfirmed.
C)the existence of a sunspot cycle has yet to be confirmed.
D)there is no record of sunspot activity prior to this century.
E)the connection between sunspot cycles and tectonic activity is documented.

Question 23

Which of the following have been correlated with sunspot cycles?

A)abnormally wet years
B)droughts
C)both A and B
D)none of the above

Question 24

The dominant wavelength emitted by Earth is

A)gamma radiation.
B)X-ray radiation.
C)visible light.
D)infrared.
E)ultraviolet.

Question 25

The two main portions of the solar spectrum which enter the atmosphere are

A)X-rays and visible light.
B)visible and infrared energy.
C)infrared and gamma rays.
D)ultraviolet and visible light.
E)gamma rays and thermal infrared energy.

Question 26

Auroras

A)have not been seen as far south as Jamaica.
B)are created by solar wind interacting with the magnetosphere.
C)are related to energy,but not matter.
D)are an important component of Earth's energy budget.
E)result from volcanic ash burning up in the stratosphere.

Question 27

Experiments involving pieces of aluminum foil placed on the lunar surface by the Apollo XI astronauts proved that

A)sunspots actually occur.
B)sunspots exhibit a cycle.
C)the solar wind consists of charged particles.
D)nuclear fission occurs in the Sun's interior.
E)sunspots transfer energy,but not matter.

Question 28

Which of the following is correctly matched?

A)Sun-longwave radiation-infrared
B)Sun-shortwave radiation-radio waves
C)Earth-longwave radiation-infrared
D)Earth-shortwave radiation-infrared
E)Earth-longwave radiation-ultraviolet

Question 29

Astronauts deployed a solar wind measuring experiment on the Moon because

A)the lunar surface is protected by an atmosphere.
B)there is no electromagnetic energy arriving there.
C)the experiment would not work if deployed at Earth's surface due to protective aspects of Earth's atmosphere.
D)the Moon is closer to the Sun,so it is easier to measure the effect of solar wind.
E)there is no solar wind arriving at the lunar surface.

Question 30

Radio waves have a ________ wavelength than visible light and are therefore ________ energetic.

A)longer less
B)longer more
C)shorter less
D)shorter more

Question 31

Which of the following is true of the Sun's electromagnetic spectrum?

A)it consists exclusively of radiant energy made of gamma ray,X-ray,and ultraviolet wavelengths.
B)it consists exclusively of streams of charged particles.
C)it is capable of sustaining life on Earth even though some portions of the spectrum are actually harmful to living organisms.
D)it consists exclusively of visible light and infrared energy.
E)it spans a spectrum beginning with microwaves and ending with sound.

Question 32

Which of the following is a consequence of the solar wind?

A)halos
B)disruption of radio communications
C)charging of electrical systems
D)creation of Earth's magnetosphere
E)growth spurts of plants in the boreal forest.

Question 33

Earth's magnetosphere is generated by

A)nuclear fusion in Earth's core.
B)nuclear fission in Earth's core.
C)dynamo-like motions in Earth's interior.
D)gravitational accretion.
E)advection.

Question 34

The auroras in the upper atmosphere are caused by

A)the interaction of electromagnetic energy with atmospheric gases.
B)AM radio broadcasts.
C)various weather phenomena.
D)the interaction of the solar wind and atmospheric gases.
E)interaction of television broadcast waves with the magnetosphere.

Question 35

On its way to Earth,the solar wind first encounters

A)the ozonosphere.
B)the magnetosphere.
C)Earth's surface.
D)the lower atmosphere.
E)the ionosphere.

Question 36

Sunspots

A)can be several times larger than Earth.
B)can produce flares and prominences.
C)are brighter than the rest of the Sun's surface.
D)origins and dynamics are not fully understood.
E)result in the increased diameter of the Sun.

Question 37

Stars give off electromagnetic radiation because

A)matter is converted into energy.
B)matter and energy totally annihilate one another in matter-antimatter reactions.
C)energy is converted into matter.
D)kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.
E)energy is subsumed by the vacuum of space.

Question 38

The dominant wavelength of energy emitted by the Sun is

A)shorter than that emitted by Earth.
B)longer than that emitted by Earth.
C)the same length as that emitted by Earth.

Question 39

A magnetic disturbance on the Sun's surface is called

A)the electromagnetic spectrum.
B)the solar wind.
C)a sunspot.
D)a magnetospheric cyclone.
E)emerging radiation.

Question 40

Which of the following sequences is arranged in order from shorter wavelength to longer wavelength?

A)infrared,visible,ultraviolet,X-rays
B)X-rays,ultraviolet,visible,infrared
C)gamma rays,microwaves,visible,X-rays
D)radio waves,light,heat,X-rays
E)microwaves,ultraviolet,infrared,visible

Question 41

The solar constant is measured at

A)the Sun's surface.
B)the edge of the Sun's atmosphere.
C)the tropopause.
D)sea level.
E)the thermopause.

Question 42

Intercepted solar radiation is called

A)solar wind.
B)thermosphere.
C)solar constant.
D)insolation.
E)displacement.

Question 43

The solar constant is measured at

A)the outer boundary of the exosphere.
B)the outer boundary of the thermosphere.
C)the top of the stratosphere.
D)the top of the troposphere.
E)Earth's surface at the equator.

Question 44

The plane of Earth's orbit about the Sun is called the plan of the

A)perihelion.
B)aphelion.
C)ecliptic.
D)great circle.
E)election.

Question 45

Earth's diameter is

A)about 10 000 km.
B)about 20 000 km.
C)about 40 000 km.
D)about 50 000 km.
E)about 100 000 km.

Question 46

The uneven distribution of insolation by latitude is primarily a result of

A)variability in the Sun's output.
B)the changing distance of Earth from the Sun.
C)variation in the value of a watt.
D)Earth's sphericity,which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.
E)the longterm decrease in the Sun's energy output.

Question 47

Which of the following is true?

A)the polar regions experience an annual net energy surplus.
B)the equatorial regions experience an annual net energy surplus.
C)Areas in the midlatitudes (36°-55°)experience an annual net negative energy balance.
D)polar regions are perfectly balanced between energy received and energy emitted.
E)energy receipt and energy emitted in perfectly balanced at all latitudes.

Question 48

Which of the following is correct relative to insolation at the thermopause?

A)in June,the North Pole receives over 500 watts per m² per day.
B)in June,the South Pole receives over 550 watts per m² per day.
C)throughout the year,the equatorial receipt varies between 100 and 400 watts per m² per day.
D)it receives an average amount of insolation equal to 100 watts per m² per day.
E)in October,the North Pole receives over 500 watts per m² per day.

Question 49

What is the name of the location on the surface of Earth that receives insolation when the Sun is directly overhead? (When this occurs,the Sun's rays are perpendicular to this surface. )

A)solar point
B)zenith
C)subsolar point
D)North Polar point
E)Arctic Circle

Question 50

Which of the following results from radiation imbalances at different latitudes?

A)hurricanes
B)global winds
C)ocean currents
D)all of the above.
E)none of the above.

Question 51

The term "net radiation" refers to

A)the total amount of energy received by Earth.
B)the total amount of energy radiated by Earth.
C)the difference in amount of incoming and outgoing radiation.
D)radiation emitted by satellite networks.
E)the average amount of energy emitted by the Sun.

Question 52

A langley is

A)an expression of the amount of energy received per unit area (cal/cm²).
B)another name for the visible light spectrum.
C)solar wind input to the atmosphere.
D)the average energy receipt at Earth's surface.
E)a term used to measure the weight of water in the atmosphere (g/cm²).

Question 53

Do high latitudes receive less energy than the equatorial regions? Why?

A)yes the orientation of Earth's surface relative to the Sun's rays diminishes the intensity of solar radiation at high latitudes.
B)no the Sun's rays must pass through more atmosphere at higher latitudes.
C)yes the poles point toward the sun for a significant time each year.
D)no each latitude receives the same amount of energy at the surface

Question 54

The solar constant is the value obtained

A)for Earth's average distance from the Sun.
B)when Earth is closest to the Sun.
C)when Earth is furthest from the Sun.
D)none of the above
E)at any time during Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Question 55

The amount of energy received above the South Pole during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice is ________ than that received above the North Pole during the northern hemisphere's summer solstice because ________.

A)more the atmosphere is thinner above the South Pole
B)more Earth is closer to the Sun during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice
C)less the atmosphere is thicker above the South Pole
D)less Earth is further from the Sun during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice
E)more Earth is farther from the Sun during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice

Question 56

Changes in daylength and the Sun's altitude above the horizon over the course of the year

A)produce Earth's rotation.
B)are phenomena that occur only at the equator.
C)are responsible for the seasons.
D)are factors that follow an irregular,random cycle.
E)are controlled by the longwave energy output at the poles.

Question 57

Which of the following is true relative to net radiation at the thermopause?

A)net radiation is evenly distributed with little change by latitude.
B)positive values in lower latitudes and negative values toward the poles.
C)negative values along the equator and positive values toward the poles.
D)net radiation is composed of shortwave energy only.
E)net radiation quantifies the outgoing portion of the energy balance.

Question 58

At all times during the year,the circle of illumination

A)divides Earth between northern and southern hemispheres.
B)divides Earth into eastern and western halves.
C)separates winter from summer.
D)divides Earth between equal halves of lightness and darkness.
E)marks the edge of polar night.

Question 59

On the northern hemisphere's summer solstice,the north polar region receives ________ daily insolation than areas nearer the equator because ________.

A)more the Sun does not set.
B)more the Sun is higher in the sky.
C)less the Sun does not rise.
D)less the Sun does not set.
E)less,the Sun is lower in the sky.

Question 60

1372 watts per square metre (2 calories per cm² per minute)refers to the

A)solar constant,which is the average value of energy received at the thermopause.
B)solar wind input to the atmosphere.
C)average energy receipt at Earth's surface.
D)amount of energy absorbed by the atmosphere.
E)the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 celsius degree.

Question 61

On June 21,the Sun never sets at Finn's location.Based on this,it can be concluded that Finn lives

A)between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle.
B)between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle.
C)above the Arctic Circle.
D)below the Antarctic Circle.
E)in northern Newfoundland.

Question 62

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

According to Figure MC2,at what position does the Sun cross the planet's equator moving south,and what is the name for this position in the northern hemisphere?

A)position B Spring Equinox
B)position B Autumn Equinox
C)position D Spring Equinox
D)position D Autumn Equinox
E)position A Spring Solstice

Question 63

While standing at the Tropic of Cancer,Emma's shadow points north at noon (Sun time).Based on this,which of the following can be definitely concluded?

A)It must be the June solstice.
B)It must be the December solstice.
C)It must be one of the equinoxes.
D)It must not be the June solstice.
E)It must not be the December solstice.

Question 64

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

According to Figure MC2,at what two locations would daylight last for 12 hours for all locations on the planet?

A)A and B
B)C and D
C)A and C
D)B and D

Question 65

The Sun's declination refers to

A)the angular distance from the equator to the latitude at which direct overhead insolation is received.
B)the angular height of the Sun above the horizon.
C)how far the Sun is from Earth.
D)its altitude,in thousands of feet,above the horizon.
E)the distance from the subsolar spot to the poles.

Question 66

Which of the following is true of the number of hours of daylight?

A)the number of hours of daylight includes the hours between dawn and twilight,not just the hours from sunrise to sunset.
B)the number of hours of daylight varies depending on the latitude of the observer.
C)the number of hours of daylight varies the most along the equator.
D)the number of hours of daylight varies the least at higher latitudes.
E)the number of hours of daylight is constant along the international date line.

Question 67

Earth's rotation is described as

A)east to west.
B)north to south.
C)west to east.
D)clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.
E)south to north

Question 68

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

On Earth,the Sun passes directly overhead at 25° north latitude ________ times a year.

A)0
B)1
C)2
D)4
E)6

Question 69

Which of the following characterizes Earth's revolution?

A)it takes approximately 24 hours.
B)it is responsible for creating the circle of illumination,and hence,day/night relationships.
C)it is clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.
D)it determines the timing of seasons and length of the year.
E)it takes exactly 365 days to complete.

Question 70

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

According to Figure MC2,if the hypothetical planet requires 20 months to complete one orbit around the star,how many months after the Summer Solstice would the Sun cross the equator moving north?

A)5
B)10
C)15
D)20
E)9

Question 71

Earth's rotation is responsible for

A)daylength.
B)reflection of the winds.
C)development of the ocean currents.
D)rise and fall of tides.
E)volcanic eruptions.

Question 72

Rotational velocities vary at different latitudes by what range of values?

A)from 1675 km · h⁻¹ at the equator to 0 km · h⁻¹ at the poles.
B)from 1675 km · h⁻¹ at the poles to 0 km · h⁻¹ at the equator.
C)because the day is 24 hours long,there is no variation in rotational values.
D)At 45° latitude,the rotational velocity is is greatest and diminishes toward the pole and equator.
E)from 100 km · h⁻¹ at the poles to 50 km · h⁻¹ at the equator.

Question 73

Which of the following is true regarding daylength?

A)the equator experiences at least six-hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.
B)nowhere on Earth does daylength vary by as much as 24 hours.
C)daylength varies more at the equator than at higher latitudes.
D)the people living at 40° N or S latitude experience about six-hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.
E)daylength is constant throughout the year for all latitudes south of 49°.

Question 74

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

According to Figure MC2,given the tilt of the axis (20°),the Tropic of Capricorn would be located at

A)110° N.
B)20° N.
C)20° S.
D)70° N.
E)70° S.

Question 75

The sun's declination migrates through

A)23.5°.
B)30°.
C)47°.
D)66.5°.
E)133°.

Question 76

Which of the following is true regarding Earth's axis?

A)the amount of axial tilt fluctuates during the year and forms the basis for seasonal changes.
B)the axis remains parallel to the plane of the ecliptic.
C)axial tilt is unrelated to the phenomenon of seasonal change.
D)the axis is tilted 23.5° from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.

Question 77

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

According to Figure MC2,given the tilt of the axis (20°),the Arctic Circle would be located at

A)20° N.
B)20° S.
C)70° N.
D)70° S.

Question 78

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

In Figure MC2,what position corresponds to the winter solstice for observers in the northern hemisphere? (Assume north is toward the top of the page. )

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 79

The Sun's altitude refers to

A)the angular distance from the equator to the latitude at which direct overhead insolation is received.
B)the angular height of the Sun above the horizon.
C)the subsolar point.
D)how far the Sun is from Earth.
E)the distance from the Sun's centre to its outer surface.

Question 80

To answer the following questions,refer to the figure below.Assume that it shows the orbit of a hypothetical planet in another part of the galaxy and that this planet has an axial tilt of 20°.(Note the direction of the axial tilt and the direction of the orbit. )

According to Figure MC2,at what position would daylight last for 24 hours for observers located north of the Arctic Circle?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D