Deck 8: Air: What Are We Breathing

Question 1

Select the phrase that correctly describes the atmosphere.

A) extends about 62 miles up from Earth's surface
B) forms an envelope of gases held in place by gravitational pull
C) consists of four layers that differ in pressure, temperature, and composition
D) All of these are correct.

Answer 1

All of these are correct.

Question 2

Which term refers to the amount of force applied by a gas per unit area over which the force is distributed?

A) pressure
B) volume
C) weight
D) density

Answer 2

pressure

Question 3

The is the layer of the atmosphere that has Earth's coldest temperatures and where most meteors burn up.

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

Answer 3

mesosphere

Question 4

Most man-made satellites orbit in the , the top layer of the atmosphere.

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

Question 5

Select the phrase that characterizes climate.

A) behavior of high- and low-pressure systems
B) short-term atmospheric changes
C) seasonal expectations for a region
D) All of these are correct.

Question 6

Which factor associates with increased temperature at Earth's surface?

A) a lower latitude relative to the equator and poles
B) a higher altitude relative to sea level
C) a coastal area relative to an inland area
D) All of these are correct.

Question 7

Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water in a given volume of air to the

A) average amount of water that the given volume of air can hold at a particular temperature.
B) maximum amount of water that the given volume of air can hold at a particular pressure.
C) average amount of water that the given volume of air can hold at a particular pressure.
D) maximum amount of water that the given volume of air can hold at a particular temperature.

Question 8

Humidity refers to the amount of in a given volume of air.

A) nitrogen and water vapor
B) water vapor
C) oxygen and water vapor
D) nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor

Question 9

Which phrase characterizes a high-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere?

A) warm, rising air that cools as it expands into higher altitudes
B) air that spirals upward and counterclockwise at low levels
C) a system containing cooling air that is becoming denser and heavier
D) water vapor that is condensing and usually produces precipitation

Question 10

Which phrase characterizes a low-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere?

A) air that spirals out clockwise at low levels
B) warm, rising air that cools as it expands into higher altitudes
C) a system usually associated with clear, dry conditions
D) a system containing cooling air that is becoming denser and heavier

Question 11

The pressure is a measure of the pressure exerted by Earth's atmosphere at any given point.

A) barometric
B) relative
C) tropospheric
D) primary

Question 12

Select the phrase that describes an air mass.

A) a large, local volume of air with relatively uniform temperature and humidity
B) the boundary that separates high- and low-pressure systems
C) the pressure exerted by Earth's atmosphere at a particular altitude
D) a measure of the particulate matter that is suspended in a volume of air

Question 13

Which phrase characterizes a cold front?

A) a warm air mass that replaces a cold air mass
B) rising cold air that draws in more surrounding air
C) a cold air mass that replaces a warm air mass
D) warm air that sinks under a thin layer of cold air

Question 14

Which phrase characterizes a warm front?

A) air that gains moisture as it moves over a large body of warm water
B) a warm air mass that replaces a cold air mass
C) air that flows from low-pressure to high-pressure areas
D) a cold air mass that replaces a warm air mass

Question 15

Select the correct statement about wind.

A) Rising warm air draws in colder air, which takes its place.
B) String winds may result from large pressure differences at a front.
C) Air naturally flows from high-pressure to low-pressure areas.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 16

Select the circulation system that is responsible for the heavy precipitation in the Amazon jungle at the equator and the dry conditions in the Sahara Desert at latitude 30 $\degree$ N.

A) Ferrel cells
B) equatorial high-pressure belts
C) Hadley cells
D) subtropical low-pressure belts

Question 17

Which air circulation patterns are located between latitudes 30 $\degree$ N and 60 $\degree$ N and between latitudes 30 $\degree$ S and 60 $\degree$ S?

A) Ferrel cells
B) Hadley cells
C) polar cells
D) None of these are correct.

Question 18

Prevailing wind patterns near the top of the troposphere, where the Hadley and Ferrel cells join and where the Ferrel and polar cells meet, are known as

A) Coriolis effects.
B) jet streams.
C) trade winds.
D) doldrums.

Question 19

Soot from forest fires, smoke from cigarettes, and photochemical smog are all examples of

A) primary pollutants.
B) secondary pollutants.
C) air pollution.
D) volatile organic compounds.

Question 20

Select the secondary pollutant.

A) ground-level ozone
B) volatile organic compounds
C) nitrogen oxides
D) particulate matter

Question 21

How do primary pollutants differ from secondary pollutants?

A) Primary pollutants include natural sources of air pollution such as volcanoes, whereas secondary pollutants result from human activity.
B) Primary pollutants emit directly from a source, whereas secondary pollutants result from reactions occurring in the atmosphere.
C) Primary pollutants are larger than 50 micrometers in size, whereas secondary pollutants are smaller than 50 micrometers.
D) Primary pollutants are produced by one source, such as a power plant, whereas secondary pollutants are produced by many smaller sources, such as automobile emissions.

Question 22

Select the phrase that describes volatile organic compounds.

A) compounds including formaldehyde, toluene, and acetone
B) compounds that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation
C) compounds that react with nitrogen oxides to form smog
D) All of these are correct.

Question 23

Particulate matter

A) absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
B) can cause respiratory ailments such as asthma.
C) is an example of a secondary pollutant.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 24

Select the phrase that correctly describes smog.

A) a gas produced when coal is burned without abundant oxygen
B) a mixture of primary and secondary pollutants
C) a substance that forms when sunlight reacts with vehicle exhaust
D) a substance that impairs the ability of blood to carry oxygen

Question 25

Which phrase describes chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?

A) secondary pollutants that deplete ozone in the troposphere
B) substances that react with water vapor to form acid deposition
C) substances that form when ultraviolet radiation joins free oxygen with chlorine monoxide
D) ozone-depleting chemicals that were addressed by the Montreal Protocol.

Question 26

The ozone layer

A) prevents 99 % of the ultraviolet radiation produced by the Sun from reaching Earth.
B) forms in the stratosphere when free oxygen atoms combine with oxygen gas molecules.
C) has been depleted for decades but is projected to recover to 1980 levels by 2050.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 27

The pH of natural rainwater is _____because of reactions with CO₂ that is present in the air.

A) slightly acidic, with a normal pH of 7.1
B) slightly basic, with a normal pH of 5.6
C) slightly basic, with a normal pH of 7.1
D) slightly acidic, with a normal pH of 5.6

Question 28

Select the law or policy strategy that empowered the Department of Transportation to set minimum miles per gallon standards for cars and light trucks.

A) Clean Air Act
B) Energy Policy and Conservation Act
C) Montreal Protocol
D) tradeable emission allowances

Question 29

The policy strategy known as tradeable emission allowances was specifically created to address which pollutant?

A) lead additives in gasoline and paints
B) carbon monoxide from vehicle exhaust systems
C) sulfur dioxide gas from coal-burning power plants
D) chlorofluorocarbons in aerosols and refrigerants

Question 30

Which law empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine acceptable levels of carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide in the outside air?

A) Energy Policy and Conservation Act
B) Ambient Air Quality Act
C) Emission Allowance Act
D) Clean Air Act

Question 31

Mark Twain wrote, "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get." Explain the scientific meaning of the terms weather and climate and then provide an example for each term that corresponds to your hometown.

Question 32

As president of the Environmental Science Club, Kayla is trying to decide when to schedule a highway litter pickup day. The weather map for this week shows an "H" over the area. An "L" covers the area for the following week. Explain what the H's and L's refer to and when she should schedule this outdoor activity to avoid rainy weather.

Question 33

Describe the difference between primary and secondary pollutants and identify the specific pollutants that are involved with acid deposition. In addition, explain why the effects of acid deposition are more severe along the East Coast compared to the rest of the United States.

Question 34

The vehicle exhaust from millions of cars in the city of Los Angeles reacts with sunlight to generate photochemical smog. Explain how the mountains that surround Los Angeles serve as a natural pollution trap. In addition, if you lived in Los Angeles, what actions could you take to reduce your personal contribution to photochemical smog?

Question 35

A common objection to environmental regulation is a perceived threat to economic growth. Summarize how air quality and the economy have changed in the United States over the last few decades, a period during which population, vehicle miles traveled, and energy consumption have all increased. In addition, describe how a coal-burning power plant can both reduce sulfur dioxide emissions and profit under the policy strategy known as tradeable emission allowances.