Question 1

Intercepted solar radiation is called

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

The single major source for photochemical reactants in the United States are

Accepted Answer

A)  steel mills and the agricultural industry. 
B)  electrical generation stations. 
C)  automobiles. 
D)  rapid transit, buses, and excessive use of light rail systems.

Question 3

The amount of the solar energy received by a given location is not really constant-it varies depending upon the season and Earth's distance from the Sun.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

The electromagnetic spectrum of radiant energy travels in waves at the speed of light in all directions from the Sun.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The Sun's height in the sky above the horizon is termed its altitude.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The Clean Air Act

Accepted Answer

A)  is no longer in effect. 
B)  did not result in significant reductions of any major air pollutants. 
C)  was made stronger during the Reagan administration. 
D)  has saved the country several trillion dollars.

Question 7

The solar constant is measured at

Accepted Answer

A)  the outer boundary of the exosphere. 
B)  the outer boundary of the thermosphere. 
C)  the top of the stratosphere. 
D)  the top of the troposphere. 
E)  Earth's surface at the equator.

Question 8

The atmosphere exerts an average force of approximately 1 kg/cm² (14.7 lbs/in²) at sea level.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Earth is farthest from the Sun at perihelion and closest at aphelion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Life is possible on Earth primarily because

Accepted Answer

A)  gamma rays and X-rays reach the surface. 
B)  the ozonosphere and ionosphere shield the surface from harmful radiation. 
C)  variable gases of all types exist in the atmosphere. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation reaches the surface.

Question 11

Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following is false regarding rotational velocities at different latitudes?

Accepted Answer

A)  At 90 degrees latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph). 
B)  At 0 degrees latitude, the rotational velocity is 1675 kmph (1040 mph). 
C)  At 60 degrees latitude, the rotational velocity is 838 kmph (521 mph). 
D)  At 30 degrees latitude, the rotational velocity is 1449 kmph (900 mph).

Question 13

Both nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide are principally produced by automobiles.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The duration of dawn and twilight tends to increase with increasing latitude.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

On its way to Earth, the solar wind first encounters

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Which layer of the atmosphere contains noctilucent clouds?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of the

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Sunspots vary in a cycle from 7 to 17 years, averaging 11 years from a maximum to maximum peak.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

1372 watts per square meter (2 calories per cm², per minute) refers to the

Accepted Answer

A)  solar constant, which is the average value of energy received at the thermopause. 
B)  solar wind input to the atmosphere. 
C)  average energy receipt at Earth's surface. 
D)  amount of energy absorbed by the atmosphere.

Question 20

Of all the matter in the Solar System

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun captured over 99 percent. 
B)  the bulk remains with all the planets and their satellites. 
C)  most resides in the planet Jupiter-the largest planet in the solar system. 
D)  most is scattered about the solar system as individual atoms and molecules.

Exam 2: Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere

Intercepted solar radiation is called

The single major source for photochemical reactants in the United States are

The amount of the solar energy received by a given location is not really constant-it varies depending upon the season and Earth's distance from the Sun.

The electromagnetic spectrum of radiant energy travels in waves at the speed of light in all directions from the Sun.

The Sun's height in the sky above the horizon is termed its altitude.

The Clean Air Act

The solar constant is measured at

The atmosphere exerts an average force of approximately 1 kg/cm² (14.7 lbs/in²) at sea level.

Earth is farthest from the Sun at perihelion and closest at aphelion.

Life is possible on Earth primarily because

Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.

Which of the following is false regarding rotational velocities at different latitudes?

Both nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide are principally produced by automobiles.

The duration of dawn and twilight tends to increase with increasing latitude.

On its way to Earth, the solar wind first encounters

Which layer of the atmosphere contains noctilucent clouds?

The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of the

Sunspots vary in a cycle from 7 to 17 years, averaging 11 years from a maximum to maximum peak.

1372 watts per square meter (2 calories per cm², per minute) refers to the

Of all the matter in the Solar System