Deck 4: The Global Energy System

Question 1

Select all of the following that are important variable gases.

A) carbon dioxide
B) argon
C) water vapor
D) methane
E) carbon monoxide

Answer 1

A,C,D

Question 2

Constant gasses make up approximately ____% of the atmosphere.

A) less than 1
B) 0.93
C) 20.95
D) 78.08
E) 99.9

Answer 2

E

Question 3

The __[1]___ the object,the __[2]____ the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation it emits compared to a __[3]____ object.
Answer 1 Choices
colder
hotter
Answer 2 Choices:
longer
shorter
Answer 3 Choices:
colder
hotter

Answer 3

Answer1: hotter
Answer2: shorter
Answer3: colder

Question 4

Infrared radiation has a wavelength of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 5

The solar constant has a value of ____ W/m² at the top of the atmosphere.

A) 137,000
B) 13,700
C) 1370
D) 137
E) 13.7

Question 6

Variable gasses make up what percentage of the atmosphere?

A) less than 1
B) 0.93
C) 20.95
D) 78.08
E) 99.9

Question 7

Gamma radiation has a wavelength of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 8

Microwave radiation has a wavelength of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 9

There are ___ dominant,constant gasses in the atmosphere.

A) 3
B) 6
C) 9
D) 12
E) 15

Question 10

Ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 11

Select all of the following that are true for nitrogen in the atmosphere.

A) It comes from the chemical breakdown of specific types of rocks.
B) It can be fixed into chemical compounds in the soil.
C) It is largely inert in the atmosphere.
D) The amount produced by plants is balanced by the amount absorbed by various organisms.
E) It makes up very little of the atmosphere.

Question 12

Select all of the following statements that are true about radiation.

A) Radiation is electromagnetic energy that is transmitted in the form of waves.
B) Electromagnetic waves are measured in terms of their power and intensity.
C) Wavelengths covered in the electromagnetic spectrum are not visible to the human eye.
D) The electromagnetic spectrum covers the entire wavelength range of electromagnetic energy.
E) The only wavelengths covered in the electromagnetic spectrum are those visible to the human eye.

Question 13

Visible light has a wavelength of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 14

Select all of the following that are true for oxygen in the atmosphere.

A) It is typically made up of two oxygen atoms bound together.
B) It is very active and can combine with a variety of other elements.
C) It comes from the chemical breakdown of specific types of rocks.
D) It is largely inert in the atmosphere.
E) The amount produced by plants roughly balances the amount absorbed by various organisms through respiration.

Question 15

The human eye is designed to see wavelengths of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 16

The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface is about _[1]__% in most parts of the planet,but can range from __[2]__% over deserts and polar regions to about _[3]__% in tropical areas.
Answer 1 Choices:
1
2
3
4
10
Answer 2 Choices:
less than 1
0
1
2
4
Answer 3 Choices:
2
4
10
12
14

Question 17

Radio waves have a wavelength of

A) less than 1 nanometer (μm).
B) 1 to 375 nanometers (μm).
C) 375 to 740 nanometers (μm).
D) 740 nanometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
E) greater than 1 millimeter (mm).

Question 18

Which of the following gasses is inert and of little importance in natural processes?

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

Question 19

Which of the following are constant gasses in the atmosphere?

A) carbon dioxide
B) argon
C) nitrogen
D) methane
E) oxygen

Question 20

The amount of radiation a ___[1]___ object emits is ___[2]____ than the amount of radiation a(n)___[3]___ object emits.
Answer 1 Choices:
colder
hotter
Answer 2 Choices:
greater
less
Answer 3 Choices:
colder
hotter

Question 21

Select all of the following statements that are true.

A) The greenhouse effect and global warming are the same thing.
B) Without the greenhouse effect, there would be little to no life on Earth.
C) Some of the radiation flowing from the Earth to space is absorbed by greenhouse gasses and re-radiated back to the surface and out to space.
D) CO₂ makes up about 96% of Mars's atmosphere.
E) The ozone layer absorbs harmful UV radiation from the Sun that would otherwise reach the Earth's surface.

Question 22

Which of the following causes the naturally occurring destruction of ozone?

A) An O₂ molecule absorbs UV energy, which causes it to split into two O atoms.
B) A single O atom combines with an O₂ molecule to form O₃.
C) An O₃ molecule absorbs UV radiation and splits into O₂ + O.
D) A Cl atom reacts with an O₃ molecule, creating ClO and O₂.
E) A ClO molecule gives up its O to another single O from an O₃.

Question 23

Select all of the following that are true for carbon dioxide (CO₂).

A) Plants absorb CO₂ and release O₂ as a by-product.
B) Mars's atmosphere contains a significantly higher percentage of CO₂ than does the Earth.
C) CO₂ contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect.
D) CO₂ currently comprises about 396 parts out of every 1 million parts of the atmosphere.
E) CO₂ is a major component of Earth's atmosphere, but since it is lighter than O₂, it stays in the upper atmosphere.

Question 24

Which of the following demonstrates the naturally occurring formation of ozone?

A) An O₂ molecule absorbs UV energy, which causes it to split into two O atoms.
B) A single O atom combines with an O₂ molecule to form O₃.
C) An O₃ molecule absorbs UV radiation and splits into O₂ + O.
D) A Cl atom reacts with an O₃ molecule creating ClO and O₂.
E) A ClO molecule gives up its O to another single O from an O₃.

Question 25

The chemical form of ozone is

A) O.
B) O₂.
C) O₃.
D) O₄.
E) OO.

Question 26

The stratospheric concentration of CFCs over Antarctica

A) continues to worsen every year, with a corresponding increase in the northern ozone hole.
B) continues to worsen each year, but the destruction is lessening over time, and should start to reverse itself in the next decade.
C) stays about the same size every year. There may or may not be an actual problem.
D) is typically smaller each year due to an international agreement to reduce the use of CFCs..
E) is no longer a problem.

Question 27

Which of the following causes the unnatural,or human-made,destruction of ozone?

A) An O₂ molecule absorbs UV energy, which causes it to split into two O atoms.
B) A single O atom combines with an O₂ molecule to form O₃.
C) An O₃ molecule absorbs UV radiation and splits into O₂ + O.
D) A Cl atom reacts with an O₃ molecule creating ClO and O₂.
E) A ClO molecule gives up its O to another single O from an O₃.

Question 28

Select all of the following statements that are true?

A) The peak loss of ozone in the Antarctic ozone hole occurs in September-October.
B) UV radiation reaching the ground at 55º S latitude has increased about 10% per decade since the late 1970s.
C) A similar but weaker ozone hole develops over the Arctic region in the Northern Hemisphere each winter.
D) UV radiation reaching the ground at 55º N latitude has increased about 7% per decade since the late 1970s.

Question 29

___[1]____ air is capable of holding ___[2]____ water vapor than ____[3]___ air.
Answer 1 Choices:
Colder
Warmer
Answer 2 Choices
less
more
the same as
Answer 3 Choices:
colder
warmer

Question 30

Select all of the following statements that are true about ozone depletion.

A) CFC molecules are very stable in the atmosphere and gradually diffuse upward to the ozone layer.
B) CFC molecules in the ozone layer absorb UV radiation and break apart with one molecule being ClO (chlorine oxide).
C) ClO molecules then release their O to a passing O in the ozone layer.
D) The lone Cl atom then attaches to an O3 molecule, breaking it into O2 and ClO
E) The ClO molecule then falls to Earth and removes some oxygen from the ozone layer.

Question 31

Select all of the answers that make the following statement true: "Atmospheric water vapor is especially vital because

A) it absorbs and stores heat energy from the Sun."
B) along with carbon dioxide, it is an important component of the greenhouse effect."
C) it moderates temperature and transports energy over the entire Earth."
D) it reflects a large amount of energy from the Sun that would overheat the Earth."
E) it helps minimize the effects of gasses that cause the greenhouse effect."

Question 32

In the __[1]__ it was discovered through ________[2]________ of the atmosphere that the ozone layer was being depleted at an alarming rate.
Answer 1 Choices:
1900s
1930s
1960s
1980s
2000s
Answer 2 Choices:
aerial photography
images taken by NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS)
remote sensing
satellite photography
satellite remote sensing

Question 33

Carbon dioxide comprises about ___% of the atmosphere.

A) 0.003
B) 0.38
C) 0.93
D) 20.95
E) 78.08

Question 34

Which of the following is true?

A) The Earth absorbs shortwave radiation from the Sun and emits energy as shortwave radiation.
B) The Earth absorbs shortwave radiation from the Sun and emits energy as longwave radiation.
C) The Earth absorbs longwave radiation from the Sun and emits energy as shortwave radiation.
D) The Earth absorbs longwave radiation from the Sun and emits energy as longwave radiation.
E) The Earth does not emit energy.

Question 35

The chemical form of atmospheric oxygen is

A) O.
B) O₂.
C) O₃.
D) O₄.
E) OZn.

Question 36

Particulate matter is ___[1]____ in size,and comprises less than _[2]__% of the Earth's atmosphere.
Answer 1 Choices:
large like snowflakes
microscopic
small like dust
Answer 2 Choices:
1
2
3
4

Question 37

The greenhouse effect refers to the

A) process through which counterradiation is returned to the surface.
B) overall warming of the Earth's atmosphere over long periods of time.
C) rapidly increasing amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
D) decrease in the amount of shortwave radiation the Earth can radiate out to space.
E) melting of the polar ice caps and subsequent raising of the oceans.

Question 38

Which of the following statements is false?

A) The Antarctic ozone hole forms every spring in the Southern Hemisphere because a polar vortex develops during the previous winter that traps air within it.
B) During the existence of the polar vortex, the air becomes very cold and thin clouds of ice crystals form.
C) The thin clouds of ice crystals help facilitate the destruction of ozone by UV radiation.
D) The peak loss of ozone occurs in September-October.
E) They are all true.

Question 39

Where are the greatest concentrations of ozone found?

A) in the troposphere.
B) in a layer between 9 and 19 miles up.
C) at ground level as a form of pollution.
D) all of these.
E) none of these.

Question 40

Ozone primarily occurs

A) in the stratosphere.
B) in a layer between 9 and 19 miles up.
C) at ground level as a form of pollution.
D) all of these.
E) none of these.

Question 41

Which of the following is not a beneficial particulate?

A) perchlorethlyene
B) dioxin
C) dust
D) cadmium
E) benzene

Question 42

Particulate matter comes in two forms,solids like __[1]___ and liquids like ___[2]____.
Answer 1 Choices
ash
clouds
rain
salt
smoke
Answer 2 Choices:
CFCs
hail
snow
water vapor

Question 43

What is the average temperature of the surface of the Sun?

A) 6000°C
B) 1000°C
C) 100°C
D) 40,000°C

Question 44

Select all of the following that particulate matter in the atmosphere is responsible for.

A) beautiful, colorful sunrises and sunsets
B) some human immune disorders
C) cloud formation
D) ozone depletion
E) reduced air quality

Question 45

Select all of the following that are examples of convection.

A) when you accidentally touch the bottom of a pot that you just boiled water in, the heat you feel from the pot
B) when you are heating water in a pot, water is heated on the bottom and then rises to the top to be replaced by cooler water
C) when you are sitting by a campfire, the heat you feel on your body
D) the heat you feel from the Sun on a hot summer day
E) circulating water through an engine to cool it down and prevent it from overheating

Question 46

Select all of the following that are examples of radiation

A) when you are sitting by a campfire, the heat you feel on your body
B) the metal hot dog holders used to roast hot dogs over an open fire gradually heat up over the fire and eventually heat up the handle
C) when you are heating water in a pot, water is heated on the bottom and then rises to the top to be replaced by cooler water
D) when you are lying out at the beach, the heat you feel on your body from the Sun
E) circulating water through an engine to cool it down and prevent it from overheating

Question 47

Select all of the following that are examples of conduction.

A) when you are sitting by a campfire, the heat you feel on your body
B) the heat you feel from the Sun on a hot summer day
C) when you are heating water in a pot, water is heated on the bottom and then rises to the top to be replaced by cooler water
D) when you accidentally touch the bottom of a pot that you just boiled water in, the heat you feel from the pot
E) the metal hot dog holders used to roast hot dogs over an open fire gradually heat up over the fire and eventually heat up the handle

Question 48

This percentage of incoming solar radiation leaves the Earth as longwave energy radiated directly from the surface.

A) 65%
B) 45%
C) 21%
D) 18%
E) 3%

Question 49

Of the solar radiation entering the atmosphere,about ___% reaches the surface directly as direct radiation.

A) 3
B) 7
C) 18
D) 21
E) 25

Question 50

Particulate matter includes which of the following?

A) CFCs
B) volcanic ash
C) wind-blown soil
D) salt spray
E) pollen grains

Question 51

The amount of incoming solar radiation reflected depends not only on albedo,but also on the

A) sensible heat of the object.
B) latent heat stored in the object.
C) indirect radiation reaching the object.
D) angle of incidence of the Sun.
E) none of these.

Question 52

Variable gasses and particulate matter compose less than ___% of the atmosphere on average.

A) 1
B) 5
C) 10
D) 15
E) 25

Question 53

Of the solar radiation entering the atmosphere,select all of the following statements that are true.

A) About 8% is absorbed by atmospheric dust and water vapor.
B) About 20% is reflected down to Earth as indirect radiation.
C) About 96% is absorbed by the various land and water bodies on the surface, thus heating the Earth.
D) About 45% is direct and indirect radiation that actually reaches the surface.
E) About 3% is absorbed by ozone.

Question 54

Select all of the following primary factors that influence net radiation around the world.

A) the Sun's angle of incidence
B) the elliptical nature of the Earth's orbit
C) latitude
D) seasonality
E) length of day

Question 55

This percentage of incoming solar radiation leaves the Earth as longwave energy.

A) 100%
B) 65%
C) 50%
D) 25%
E) 3%

Question 56

This percentage of incoming solar radiation leaves the Earth as longwave energy radiated directly from the atmosphere.

A) 65%
B) 45%
C) 21%
D) 18%
E) 3%

Question 57

The angle at which solar radiation strikes the Earth _____[1]_____ affect(s)absorption and ____[2]______.
Answer 1 Choices:
directly
does not
indirectly
Answer 2 Choices:
emission
the greenhouse effect
reflection

Question 58

When we talk about heat,we are ultimately talking about

A) temperature.
B) how hot something is.
C) the difference in temperature between two objects.
D) a form of energy.
E) whether something rises or sinks.

Question 59

Sensible heat refers to which of the following?

A) heat that can be sensed by touch or feeling
B) heat energy that goes into breaking bonds between molecules when a substance changes physical states
C) a form of heat energy that cannot be measured with a thermometer
D) a form of heat energy that can be measured with a thermometer
E) both a and d

Question 60

What is the range of wavelengths for visible light?

A) 250-500 micrometers
B) 375-740 nanometers
C) 475-800 picometers
D) 100-320 meters

Question 61

What law states that the hotter the object the more radiation released?

A) Boyle's law
B) law of thermodynamics
C) Charles's law
D) Stephan-Boltzmann law

Question 62

Select the two gases that comprise the majority of the atmosphere.

A) argon
B) carbon dioxide
C) nitrogen
D) oxygen
E) carbon monoxide

Question 63

Humans can directly see all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Question 64

Shortwave radiation includes gamma rays,X-rays,and visible light.

Question 65

Longwave radiation includes the thermal infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Question 66

Shortwave radiation includes thermal infrared,near-infrared,and visible electromagnetic radiation.

Question 67

Wavelength is one-half the distance between the wave crest and the wave trough.

Question 68

Longwave radiation includes gamma rays,X-rays,and visible light.

Question 69

Hotter objects emit more electromagnetic radiation than colder ones.

Question 70

Reflectance of an object is known as

A) albedo.
B) angle of incidence.
C) solar radiation.
D) specific heat.

Question 71

Gamma rays are tens of meters in length.

Question 72

Hotter objects emit shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation than colder objects.

Question 73

Wave amplitude is one-half the overall height of any given wave as measured from the wave crest to the wave trough.

Question 74

Radiation is electromagnetic energy that is transmitted in the form of waves.

Question 75

Select all of the following that are primary factors in influencing net radiation around the globe.

A) albedo
B) Sun's angle of incidence
C) latitude
D) seasonality
E) length of day

Question 76

As the temperature of an object increases,the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that the object emits decreases.

Question 77

Select the dominant variable gasses in the atmosphere by percentage.

A) carbon dioxide
B) nitrogen
C) water
D) oxygen
E) ozone

Question 78

Hotter objects emit longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation than colder objects.

Question 79

As the temperature of an object increases,so does the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that the object emits.

Question 80

Nitrogen is considered a constant gas because what is added to the atmosphere is balanced by what is removed through precipitation and various biological processes.