Deck 2: Heating Earths Surface and Atmosphere

Question 1

At 45 degrees S latitude,the angle of the noon Sun is lowest and the length of daylight is shortest on:

A)December 21.
B)January 23.
C)June 21.
D)March 21.
E)September 22.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

During the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere,the circle of illumination passes directly through the:

A)equator.
B)Tropic of Capricorn.
C)poles.
D)Tropic of Cancer.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

New York City has its greatest length of daylight on:

A)March 21.
B)September 22.
C)June 21.
D)December 21.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Low sun angles result in reduced solar energy because:

A)energy is spread over a larger area.
B)Sun - Earth distance is greater.
C)absorption is reduced.
D)day lengths are shorter.

Question 5

Which of the following correctly describes the equinoxes?

A)The length of daylight at the Arctic and Antarctic Circle is 24 hours.
B)The Sun's vertical rays are striking either the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn.
C)Days and nights are equal in length in all parts of the world.
D)They occur in June and December.

Question 6

The length of daylight gets progressively longer going south from the equator on:

A)June 21.
B)December 21.
C)September 22.
D)March 21.

Question 7

Which of the following associations is INCORRECT?

A)aphelion - Earth furthest from the sun
B)vernal equinox - equal day/equal night
C)summer solstice - solar declination at the Tropic of Cancer
D)autumnal equinox - shortest day of the year for the Arctic Circle

Question 8

Early in January the earth is closer to the Sun than at any other time of year.This position is termed:

A)equinox.
B)perihelion.
C)aphelion.
D)albedo.
E)revolution.

Question 9

The date that the Sun "rises" at the North Pole is:

A)January 3.
B)June 21.
C)March 21.
D)September 22.
E)December 21.

Question 10

The 90 degrees angle rays strike the Tropic of Cancer on:

A)June 21.
B)March 21.
C)September 22.
D)December 21.
E)July 4.

Question 11

The first day of the climatological season of summer is:

A)June 1.
B)June 21.
C)July 1.
D)July 4 (perihelion).

Question 12

Flagstaff,AZ is at 35 degrees N latitude.What is the angle of the Sun's noon rays here on March 21?

A)35 degrees
B)55 degrees
C)47 degrees
D)0 degrees

Question 13

The date that the Sun "sets" at the North Pole is:

A)June 21.
B)March 21.
C)December 21.
D)September 22.

Question 14

The longest day of the year in the United States occurs on:

A)June 21.
B)March 3.
C)November 18.
D)December 4.
E)September 30.

Question 15

At what time of year is the earth's axis not tilted either toward or away from the Sun?

A)autumnal equinox
B)winter solstice
C)summer solstice
D)perihelion
E)aphelion

Question 16

The primary cause of Earth's seasons is:

A)changes in atmospheric thickness.
B)varying orbital speed.
C)tilt of Earth's rotation axis,which causes sun angles and daylight length to vary.
D)regular changes in radiation emitted by the Sun.
E)varying distance from the Sun,which changes how much radiation Earth receives from the Sun.

Question 17

The spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on approximately:

A)June 21.
B)March 21.
C)September 22.
D)December 21.
E)January 3.

Question 18

Earth's perihelion:

A)coincides with the summer solstice.
B)would not exist if the earth's orbit were circular.
C)coincides with the winter solstice.
D)occurs when the earth is farthest from the Sun.

Question 19

Over the course of this year,the tilt of Earth's polar axis will:

A)remains constant at 90 degrees.
B)vary from 0 to 23.5 degrees.
C)vary from 0 to 47 degrees.
D)remain constant at 23.5 degrees.

Question 20

Earth is closest to the Sun during:

A)Northern hemisphere autumn.
B)Southern hemisphere autumn.
C)Southern hemisphere winter.
D)Northern hemisphere winter.
E)Northern hemisphere summer.

Question 21

The process of ________ involves the movement or circulation of a mass or substance.

A)radiation
B)conduction
C)convection

Question 22

Objects with higher temperatures:

A)emit only shortwave radiation.
B)emit more shortwave radiation than cooler objects do.
C)emit most of their energy in the form of longwave energy.
D)radiate less total energy than cooler objects radiate.

Question 23

Most of the radiation emitted by the earth and its atmosphere is in the category of:

A)x-rays.
B)ultraviolet.
C)gamma.
D)infrared.

Question 24

The earth receives energy from the Sun by:

A)convection.
B)radiation.
C)conduction.
D)scattering.

Question 25

The transfer of heat through matter by molecular collisions is called:

A)conduction.
B)radiation.
C)convection.

Question 26

The type of energy that is responsible for sunburn is:

A)infrared energy.
B)ultraviolet energy.
C)gamma ray energy.
D)microwave energy.

Question 27

The equation shown above mathematically represents the:

A)Wien's Displacement Law.
B)Stefan-Boltzmann Law.
C)Surface Albedo calculation.
D)Radiation Displacement Theory.

Question 28

The two types of heat recognized by meteorologists are:

A)latent heat and sensible heat.
B)latent heat and kinetic heat.
C)kinetic heat and radiative heat.
D)sensible heat and conductive heat.

Question 29

The Stefan-Boltzmann Law states that:

A)the rate of radiation emitted by a body is based on its size.
B)the wavelength of radiation emitted by a body is determined by its temperature.
C)all bodies emit equivalent wavelengths of energy,regardless of size or temperature.
D)the rate of radiation emitted by a body is proportional to the fourth power of its temperature.

Question 30

The energy associated with motion is called:

A)kinetic energy.
B)potential energy.
C)vibrational energy.
D)molecular motion energy.

Question 31

Radiation is intercepted in the atmosphere and its wavelength is measured at 1.0 micrometers.This radiation was most likely emitted by:

A)the Earth.
B)a cloud.
C)the atmosphere.
D)the Sun.

Question 32

Heat:

A)is a measure of the average kinetic energy possessed by molecules.
B)is synonymous with temperature.
C)is a transfer of energy from areas with high temperatures to those with low temperatures.
D)measures the total kinetic energy in a substance.

Question 33

In meteorological terminology,the primary difference between convection and advection is:

A)Convection represents vertical heat transfer and advection represents horizontal heat transfer.
B)Convection represents horizontal heat transfer and advection represents vertical heat transfer.
C)Convection represents upper atmosphere heat transfer and advection represents surface heat transfer.
D)Convection represents surface heat transfer and advection represents upper atmosphere heat transfer.
E)None of the above;the terms are used interchangeably.

Question 34

During natural processes,heat transfer is always from:

A)warmer to cooler substances.
B)cooler to warmer substances.
C)solids to liquids.
D)gases to solids.

Question 35

Thermals and advection are both types of:

A)conduction
B)radiation.
C)convection.
D)transmission.

Question 36

The earth emits terrestrial radiation:

A)only over the continents.
B)all the time.
C)only at night.
D)only during winter.
E)only during the day.

Question 37

The longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are:

A)gamma.
B)ultraviolet.
C)infrared.
D)radio.
E)visible light.

Question 38

Wavelengths of the visible spectrum are between:

A)0)4 and 0.7 meters.
B)0)25 and 2.5 micrometers.
C)0)4 and 0.7 micrometers.
D)4 and 7 micrometers.

Question 39

Wind is an example of:

A)advection.
B)conduction.
C)radiation.

Question 40

The wavelengths emitted by the earth are:

A)shorter than those emitted by the Sun.
B)longer than those emitted by the Sun.
C)ultraviolet.
D)about the same as those emitted by the Sun except when the Sun is experiencing sunspots.

Question 41

Most of the solar energy absorbed by planet Earth and its atmosphere is absorbed by:

A)atmospheric dust.
B)the earth's surface.
C)clouds.
D)atmospheric gases.

Question 42

The atmosphere is ________ to terrestrial radiation that has a wavelength between 8 and 11 micrometers.

A)reflective
B)absorptive
C)conductive
D)transparent

Question 43

The primary factor which determines what type and how much radiation an object emits is its

A)color.
B)conductivity.
C)size.
D)density.
E)temperature.

Question 44

Clouds are most likely to ________ incoming solar radiation.

A)conduct
B)transmit
C)reflect
D)absorb

Question 45

Scattering:

A)prevents nearly half of incoming solar radiation from reaching the surface of the earth.
B)changes the wavelength of light.
C)is responsible for the redness of sunsets.
D)is the primary mechanism of heat transfer in the atmosphere.

Question 46

The temperature of a pool of lava is measured at 1275 K.Given a Wien's constant value of 2898 μmK,what is the wavelength of maximum emission from the lava?

A)149838.63 μm
B)2)273 μm
C)0)213 μm
D)The answer cannot be determined from the information given.

Question 47

The atmosphere is strongly ________ with respect to terrestrial radiation.

A)absorptive
B)reflective
C)transparent
D)conductive

Question 48

The temperature of a cloud is measured at 280 K.Given the Stefan-Boltzmann constant of 5.67 × 10⁻⁸,what is the rate of radiation emitted by the cloud?

A)349 W/m²
B)10.4 W/m²
C)4)9 × 10⁻⁸ W/m²
D)The information cannot be determined with the information given.

Question 49

Which of the following gases is the best absorber of ultraviolet light?

A)nitrogen dioxide
B)water vapor
C)carbon dioxide
D)oxygen
E)carbon monoxide

Question 50

Which of the following gases does not absorb any portion of incoming solar radiation?

A)nitrogen
B)oxygen
C)ozone
D)water vapor

Question 51

In the equation for Wien's Displacement Law (shown above),the stands for:

A)a radiating body's wavelength of maximum emission.
B)a radiating body's maximum rate of energy emission.
C)the maximum temperature associated with a given energy wavelength.
D)the value of Wien's constant associated with a given energy wavelength.

Question 52

On the average,how much of the Sun's energy that is intercepted by the earth system is reflected to space?

A)19 percent
B)30 percent
C)25 percent
D)45 percent
E)51 percent

Question 53

Suppose the albedo of a planet is measured to be 40 percent.This means that:

A)60 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected.
B)40 percent of the Sun's energy is absorbed.
C)40 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected.
D)more energy is reflected than absorbed.

Question 54

The UV Index can tell you:

A)the expected rate of skin cancer occurrence in a given city.
B)the relative change in UV production during a severe solar wind event.
C)the approximate time it will take you to sunburn on a given day,based on your skin type.
D)what percent of Earth's radiation is emitted as UV radiation.

Question 55

The atmosphere is heated primarily by:

A)absorption of Earth's longwave radiation.
B)absorption of solar radiation.
C)conduction from the ground.
D)convection from the ground.

Question 56

During reflection,

A)radiation is separated into several groups of weaker rays that travel in different directions.
B)radiation retains the same intensity but bounces back from the surface at a random angle.
C)a portion of radiation is absorbed by the surface and the rest bounces off of the surface.
D)radiation retains the same intensity and bounces back at the same angle with which it struck the surface.

Question 57

Which of the following does NOT happen to solar radiation as it passes through the atmosphere?

A)Intensification
B)Scattering
C)Transmission
D)Absorption

Question 58

Crepuscular rays:

A)are emitted by objects with very low temperatures.
B)are usually tinted blue.
C)occur only when no clouds,haze,or dust particles are present in the atmosphere.
D)occur when water droplets scatter all wavelengths of sunlight equally.

Question 59

Of the following choices,the surface with the HIGHEST albedo is:

A)fresh snow.
B)grass.
C)sand.
D)water (Sun near zenith).
E)thin cloud.

Question 60

The atmosphere is highly ________ with respect to solar radiation.

A)absorptive
B)transparent
C)reflective
D)conductive

Question 61

An analemma is best used to determine:

A)the distance between the sun and the earth on any day of the year.
B)the tilt of Earth's axis on any day of the year.
C)the solar declination on any day of the year.
D)solar altitude at any given time of the day.

Question 62

When encountering terrestrial longwave radiation,clouds are most likely to ________ it.

A)transmit
B)scatter
C)reflect
D)absorb

Question 63

A change in the temperature of an object signifies that its heat (or energy)content is stable.

Question 64

Fairbanks,Alaska,has more hours of daylight in June than Miami,Florida.

Question 65

In Australia,the summer solstice occurs a few days before Christmas.

Question 66

Sun angle is the angular distance from the observer's horizon to the Sun at noon.

Question 67

The absorption of longwave radiation by certain gases in the lower atmosphere is responsible for:

A)photon effect.
B)greenhouse effect.
C)atmospheric window effect.
D)adiabatic effect.

Question 68

Perihelion occurs during the Northern Hemisphere's winter.

Question 69

The earth's axis is not perpendicular to the plane of its orbit around the Sun.

Question 70

Clouds play an important role in the earth's energy budget because they:

A)absorb longwave radiation and re-radiate it towards the surface.
B)cool the air around them.
C)reflect solar energy.
D)reflect the earth's infrared energy.
E)Both A and C

Question 71

If an imbalance occurs between incoming and outgoing energy at the earth's surface,

A)temperatures remain steady.
B)maximum temperatures occur.
C)minimum temperatures occur.
D)temperatures either increase or decrease.

Question 72

Based on the analemma above,what is the approximate location of the solar declination on August 26?

A)10° N
B)10° S
C)23.5° N
D)18°N

Question 73

The Sun 'rises' at the South Pole on September 22.

Question 74

Low sun angles are associated with longer atmospheric path lengths.

Question 75

Which of the following describes the role played by the water cycle in determining the earth's heat budget?

A)has no significant role
B)transfers heat from atmosphere to space
C)transfers heat from atmosphere to surface
D)transfers heat from surface to atmosphere

Question 76

Using the analemma above,calculate the noon Sun angle for a latitude of 40° N on February 14.Choose the correct answer below.

A)15°
B)0°
C)47°
D)63°

Question 77

The North Pole remains pointed towards the sun at all times,regardless of where the Earth is in its orbit.

Question 78

The equator receives vertical rays from the Sun year 'round.

Question 79

An astronomer tells you that he has discovered a new planet that he calls Planet X.All he knows about Planet X so far is that it has a very dense atmosphere with a temperature approximately 5 times warmer than that of Earth.What hypothesis can you reasonably make regarding the atmosphere of Planet X?

A)The atmosphere of Planet X must not contain any oxygen,so people couldn't live there.
B)Planet X cannot contain water in any form.
C)The nitrogen cycle does not operate on Planet X in the same way it does on Earth.
D)The atmosphere of Planet X has a higher concentration of greenhouse gases than Earth's does.

Question 80

Seasonal temperature variations are due primarily to the changing distance between the earth and the Sun.