Deck 2: Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Question 1

Which of the following is not of our solar system?

A) It consists of 8 planets and some 165 planetary satellites (moons).
B) Of all the planets, Neptune has the most moons.
C) Six of the eight planets have at least 1 moon.
D) Several identified planetary satellites are still awaiting official confirmation.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

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

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following does not accurately describe Earth's distance from the Sun?

A) The Earth-Sun distance averages 150 million kilometers (93 million miles).
B) It takes light an average of 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth.
C) Earth is closer to the Sun in January (perihelion) and farther away in July (aphelion).
D) The Earth's orbit around the sun is presently circular and, therefore the Earth is always equidistant from the sun throughout the year.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

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 5

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

A) perihelion.
B) aphelion.
C) the plane of the ecliptic.
D) a great circle.

Question 6

The Sun gives 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.

Question 7

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.

Question 8

Earth and the Sun formed specifically from

A) the galaxy.
B) unknown origins.
C) a nebula of dust and gases.
D) other planets.

Question 9

The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of the

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

Question 10

Which of the following is characterized by the longest wavelengths?

A) X-rays
B) gamma rays
C) visible
D) thermal infrared
E) radio waves

Question 11

________ is a supermassive black hole sitting in the galatic center of the Milky Way.

A) Sagittarius A*
B) The Orion Spur
C) Messier 31
D) Centaurus A

Question 12

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.

Question 13

According to findings from the Kepler telescope, the estimated number of planets in the Milky Way is ________with some ________ in habitable zones.

A) 300 billion; 125 billion
B) 25 million; 3 million
C) 1 billion; 25 million
D) 50 billion; 500 million

Question 14

Which of the following is not true about the Milky Way galaxy in which we live?

A) It is a spiral-shaped galaxy.
B) It is one of millions of galaxies in the universe.
C) It contains approximately 300 billion stars.
D) It is the largest galaxy in the universe.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of the subsolar point?

A) The highest latitude at which it occurs is 60° N/S.
B) It only occurs at lower latitudes, between the tropics (23.5° N/S).
C) It occurs at all latitudes at least once throughout the year.
D) It never occurs beyond a few degrees of the equator.

Question 16

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) small grains of cosmic dust and other solids gradual accrete to form planetesimals that may grow to become protoplanets and eventually planets.

Question 17

Light travels at a speed of approximately

A) 80,500 kilometers per hour (50,000 mph).
B) 300,000 kilometers per hour (186,336 mph).
C) 300,000 kilometers per second (186,333 miles per second).
D) 1,000,000,000 kilometers per second (621,118,012 miles per second).

Question 18

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

Question 19

Which of the following is false?

A) 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 an average sized yellow star.

Question 20

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.

Question 21

Which of the following is not a consequence of the solar wind?

A) auroras
B) disruption of radio communications
C) overloads of electrical systems
D) creation of Earth's magnetosphere

Question 22

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.

Question 23

Intercepted solar radiation is called

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

Question 24

Which of the following is true?

A) The Sun emits longwave radiation, whereas the Earth emits shortwave radiation.
B) The Sun emits shortwave radiation, whereas the Earth emits longwave radiation.
C) The radiation emitted by the Sun and the are roughly the same wavelength.
D) Because the Sun is so far away, it is impossible to measure the wavelengths of its radiation.

Question 25

The solar constant is measured at

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

Question 26

The average insolation received by the thermopause when the Earth is at its average distance from the sun is known as the

A) solar constant.
B) solar wind input to the atmosphere.
C) energy balance.
D) incoming solar radiation.

Question 27

The thermopause refers to

A) Earth's magnetic field.
B) the solar atmosphere that extends into space.
C) the top of Earth's atmosphere.
D) the Sun's surface.

Question 28

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 curvature, which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.

Question 29

Which of the following is not true of sunspots?

A) They can be several times larger than Earth.
B) They can produce flares and prominences.
C) They are brighter than the rest of the Sun's surface.
D) They are surface disturbances caused by magnetic storms.

Question 30

The dominant wavelength emitted by Earth is

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

Question 31

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 32

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 solar wind does not reach the Earth's surface.
D) no one else had attempted the experiment before and they wanted to be the first.

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.

Question 34

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.

Question 35

On its way to Earth, the solar wind first encounters

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

Question 36

The auroras in the upper atmosphere are caused by

A) visible light interaction with the asthenosphere.
B) AM radio broadcasts.
C) various weather phenomena.
D) the interaction of the solar wind and upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere.

Question 37

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 consists of gamma ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths.
D) It consists exclusively of visible light and infrared energy.

Question 38

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

Question 39

Which of the following have been correlated with sunspot cycles?

A) abnormally wet years
B) droughts
C) both abnormally wet years and droughts
D) neither abnormally wet years nor droughts

Question 40

Which of the following is true relative to insolation at the thermopause relative to latitude?

A) Annually, insolation is evenly distributed with little change by latitude.
B) Annually, lower latitudes receive more insolation than the high latitudes.
C) Annually, higher latitudes receive more insolation than lower latitudes.
D) Insolation can only be measured longitudinally, not latitudinally.

Question 41

Which of the following is correct regarding daylength?

A) Daylength is uniform at all latitudes throughout the years.
B) People living at the equator experience 6 hours difference in daylength between the summer and winter.
C) The equator always receives equal hours of day and night.
D) The range of daylength is shortest in the polar regions.

Question 42

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.

Question 43

Which of the following cannot be attributed to the effects of Earth's rotation?

A) daylength
B) deflection of the winds
C) deflection of the ocean currents
D) rise and fall of tides
E) latitudinal variations in net radiation

Question 44

Which of the following is true for the December Solstice?

A) The subsolar point is at the equator.
B) The Arctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination.
C) The Antarctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination.
D) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N).

Question 45

The ________ emits mainly ________ which is also called ________.

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 46

Which of the following is true for the September Equinox?

A) There is 24 hours of daylight at the North Pole.
B) The Arctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination.
C) The Antarctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination.
D) The circle of illumination passes through both the poles.
E) There is 24 hours of daylight at the South Pole.

Question 47

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.

Question 48

The southern hemisphere's summer solstice occurs

A) at the same time as the northern hemisphere's summer solstice.
B) on or around June 21.
C) on or around December 21.
D) during the northern hemisphere's equinox.

Question 49

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.

Question 50

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.

Question 51

Which of the following is not true regarding rotational velocities at different latitudes?

A) At 90° latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph).
B) At 0° latitude, the rotational velocity is 1675 kmph (1040 mph).
C) At 60° latitude, the rotational velocity is 838 kmph (521 mph).
D) At 30° latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph).

Question 52

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.

Question 53

Which of the following is true for the March Equinox?

A) The subsolar point is at the equator.
B) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N).
C) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).
D) The subsolar point is at the Prime Meridian.

Question 54

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.

Question 55

Which of the following is not true?

A) The Earth's axis is titled 23.5° relative to the plane of the ecliptic.
B) The axis through Earth's two poles points just slightly off Polaris.
C) During the winter months, the Earth's axis is aligned towards Southern Cross.
D) Throughout the year, the Earth's axis maintains the same alignment relative to the plane of the ecliptic.

Question 56

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 57

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.

Question 58

The Sun's declination refers to

A) the latitude of the subsolar point.
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.

Question 59

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.

Question 60

The sun's declination migrates through ________ of latitude annually.

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

Question 61

Which of the following is true regarding dawn and twilight?

A) Dawn and twilight last longest at the equator-approximately 2.5 hours.
B) The polar regions do not experience dawn and twilight.
C) 60° north and south latitudes receive the most dawn and twilight.
D) The duration of both increases with increasing latitude.

Question 62

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.

Question 63

The longest days of the year in the Southern Hemisphere are experienced during the Northern Hemisphere's

A) Summer solstice.
B) Spring equinox.
C) Winter solstice.
D) earlier than during daylight savings time only.

Question 64

Which of the following is true of the March equinox?

A) Moving south of the equator, the daylen gth increases, while moving north of the equator the daylength decreases.
B) The suns direct rays strike perpendicular at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).
C) At all latitudes between the poles, day and night are of equal length.
D) In the Southern Hemisphere, it is known as the vernal equinox.

Question 65

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

A) In June, the North Pole receives over 500 watts per per day.
B) In June, the South Pole receives over 550 watts per per day.
C) Throughout the year, the equatorial receipt varies between 100 and 400 watts per per day.
D) It receives an average amount of insolation equal to 100 watts per per day.

Question 66

The Tropic of Cancer refers to

A) the parallel that occurs at 23.5° south latitude.
B) the location of the subsolar point on September 22.
C) the parallel that is the farthest northern location for the subsolar point during the year.
D) 0° latitude when the Sun crosses the equator.

Question 67

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 summer solstice.
B) It must be the winter solstice.
C) It must be one of the equinoxes.
D) It must not be the summer solstice.
E) It must not be the winter solstice.

Question 68

On approximately which dates is the subsolar point 16° S?

A) March 30 and September 15
B) February 5 and November 5
C) April 25 and August 20
D) May 5 and August 10

Question 69

For observers in the Norther Hemisphere, which of the following is true?

A) Daylength becomes increasingly longer during the period from the summer solstice until the winter solstice.
B) Daylength decreases from the winter solstice until the vernal equinox, when it begins to increase.
C) Daylength is longest on the summer solstice and is shortest on the winter solstice.
D) Daylength variations are negligible for all locations throughout the year except above the Arctic Circle.

Question 70

Which of the following relationships is incorrect?

A) December solstice - subsolar point at 23.5 S latitude
B) March equinox - subsolar point at 0° latitude
C) June 21 - subsolar point at 23.5 N latitude
D) June solstice - subsolar point at 23.5 N latitude
E) September equinox - subsolar point at 23.5° S latitude

Question 71

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

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

Question 72

Which of the following is true of Quito, Ecuador (0° 15' N, 78° 35' S)?

A) Quito experiences days and nights of equal lengths throughout the year.
B) During the June Solstice, Quito experiences 24 hours of darkness because it is completely outside of the circle of illumination.
C) At noon on June 21st, the sun is directly overhead in Quito.
D) Quito is at a latitude that is never the subsolar point.

Question 73

The longest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere are experienced during the

A) time of 24-hour days at the South Pole.
B) vernal equinox.
C) winter solstice.
D) autumnal equinox.
E) time that the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.

Question 74

Which of the following is true for the June Solstice?

A) The subsolar point is at the equator.
B) The Arctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination.
C) The Antarctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination.
D) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).

Question 75

The Tropic of Capricorn refers to

A) that parallel that is 23.5° south latitude.
B) the location of the subsolar point on September 22.
C) the parallel that is the farthest northern location for the subsolar point during the year.
D) that parallel that is 66.5° south latitude.

Question 76

Which of the following statements is true?

A) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres Autumnal Equinox.
B) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is also the Southern Hemispheres Vernal Equinox.
C) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres Winter Solstice.
D) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres Summer Solstice.

Question 77

The equinox

A) occurs four times during the year.
B) has 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night for all locations.
C) is the longest day of the year at any given place.
D) is when the subsolar point is at one of the tropics.

Question 78

On June 21st, the Sun's declination is at

A) the equator.
B) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Alice Springs, Australia.
C) the Tropic of Capricorn.
D) the Tropic of Cancer.

Question 79

Which of the following is true of the September equinox?

A) All latitudes on Earth, except the Equator, experience unequal daylengths.
B) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N).
C) The sun rises at the South Pole, where it will remain over the horizon for the following six months.
D) The Northern Hemisphere spring officially begins.
E) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).

Question 80

Which of the following is true regarding the point of sunrise for a location in the northern hemisphere?

A) It migrates from southeast to northeast from winter to summer.
B) It remains fixed throughout the year; only the Sun's altitude changes.
C) It moves to the south from winter to summer.
D) It is along the western horizon in summer, and the eastern horizon in winter.