Question 1

How is it possible that atmospheric water vapor both cools and warms the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Water vapor,which makes up clouds,is the most abundant aerosol in our atmosphere.Part of the incoming short-wave radiation from the sun is reflected back into space,reducing the amount of light that reaches Earth's surface.Thick,low clouds reflect the sun's rays away from Earth; they prevent sunlight from reaching the ground,so cloudy days stay cooler.Since the water vapor in clouds is also a greenhouse gas,clouds contribute to both warming and cooling.

Question 2

Which of the following positive feedback effects is NOT a result of the thawing of the Arctic and glacial melting?

Accepted Answer

A)   Melting sea ice leads to less reflectivity.
B)   Melting permafrost leads to released methane gas.
C)   Melting of the sea-floor results in melting of methane hydrate.
D)   Melting permafrost leads to increased photosynthesis.
E)   Melting glaciers leads to exposed darker rock. D

Question 3

How many ice ages has Earth experienced over the past two million years?

Accepted Answer

20

Question 4

How are efforts to mitigate global warming unfair to the developing world?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

How are tree rings used as proxy data to provide an indirect record of past climate conditions?

Accepted Answer

A)   Tree rings are thicker and the wood is denser when growing conditions are better.
B)   Tree rings are thicker and the wood is lighter when growing conditions are better.
C)   Tree rings are thinner and the wood is denser when growing conditions are better.
D)   Tree rings are thinner and the wood is lighter when growing conditions are better.
E)   Because of variable moisture levels, tree rings cannot be used as proxy data.

Question 6

Give examples showing how atmospheric aerosols can be both a hindrance and a help.

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

If humanity was able to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth's atmosphere in the next decade,how long would it take for global temperatures to stabilize?

Accepted Answer

A)   ten to twenty years
B)   twenty to fifty years
C)   fifty to one hundred years
D)   one hundred to one hundred fifty years
E)   hundreds to thousands of years

Question 8

What factors of global warming lead to a rise in sea-level? Which factor is most important?

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

A student was asked the following question.What are the major components of the Milankovitch cycle? The student answered: The important components of the Milankovitch cycle are variations in Earth's orbit from nearly circular to elliptical,changes in the tilt of Earth's axis of rotation,and variations in solar output due to sunspots.How would you rate this answer?

Accepted Answer

A)   EXCELLENT: The student completely and correctly answered the question.
B)   VERY GOOD: The student's answer was complete, but included an additional component that was incorrect.
C)   GOOD: The student's answer was incomplete by one component and included a component that was incorrect.
D)   FAIR: The student's answer was incomplete by two components or included two components that were incorrect.
E)   POOR: The student's answer was incomplete by more than two components or included more than two incorrect components.

Question 10

Which are the main greenhouse gases?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which are the main greenhouse gases?...

Question 11

Can the current increase in carbon dioxide level in Earth's atmosphere be attributable to natural variation and not human activity? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Judge the following sentence: Even though water vapor has the greatest effect as a greenhouse gas,it is not normally discussed as one BECAUSE water vapor is completely natural and we have no control over it.

Accepted Answer

A)   The assertion and reason are both correct.
B)   The assertion is correct and the reason is incorrect.
C)   The assertion is incorrect and the reason is correct.
D)   Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

Question 13

How can isotopes of oxygen be used as a proxy for past temperature data?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

Judge the following sentence: The observation that temperatures have risen faster on the continents than in the oceans is incorrect BECAUSE the observation is an artifact of there being more weather stations on land than in the oceans.

Accepted Answer

A)   The assertion and reason are both correct.
B)   The assertion is correct and the reason is incorrect.
C)   The assertion is incorrect and the reason is correct.
D)   Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

Question 15

What has been the relationship between Earth's temperature and incoming solar radiation during the first decade of the 21st century?

Accepted Answer

A)   Earth's temperature has risen during a decade when incoming solar radiation has been near a minimum.
B)   Earth's temperature has fallen during a decade when incoming solar radiation has been near a minimum.
C)   Earth's temperature has risen during a decade when incoming solar radiation has been near a maximum.
D)   Earth's temperature has fallen during a decade when incoming solar radiation has been near a maximum.
E)   Earth's temperature has remained constant during a decade of constant incoming solar radiation.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about mitigation of climate change is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)   The most direct way to slow the increase in greenhouse gases is to minimize population growth.
B)   Conservation is an expensive way to reduce carbon output used in power production.
C)   If the real costs of burning coal are included, the cost of wind energy is similar.
D)   Injecting several megatons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere annually could block some of the sun's incoming energy.
E)   There is considerable opposition to a carbon tax in the United States.

Question 17

Discuss the ways to mitigate global warming.Which do you think holds the most promise?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

In addition to carbon dioxide,what other greenhouse gases have risen above their pre-industrial levels in Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

In a single year,which of the following is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide into Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)   a single large volcanic eruption
B)   cement plants
C)   agriculture
D)   coal-fired power plants
E)   ground and air transportation

Question 20

Which of the following would NOT be likely if global warming continues?

Accepted Answer

A)   more intense rainfall and more serious droughts in semi-arid regions
B)   a rise in temperatures in most polar regions
C)   expansion of the ranges of tropical diseases into higher latitudes
D)   a general lowering of mean sea level
E)   changes in ocean currents resulting from changes in salinity

Exam 11: Climate Change