Geography 111 Unit 1 Exam
date of summer solstice and its solar declination?
June 21-22, 23.5 degrees north
Solar elevation equation?
90 degrees - latitude - solar declination
The decomposition of plant matter acts as a CO2 ________. A source B sink
A
There have been some seasons over the last decade with record breaking cold temperatures over various regions of the earth. A True B False
A
what is suspended particulate matter known as?
Aerosols
Which of following locations is the usually the warmest across North Carolina on sunny, summer day? Note that Wrightsville Beach and Fayetteville have sandy soils. Hint: Consider soil character and proximity to water. A Wrightsville Beach B Fayetteville C Asheville
B
Which of the following interactions provides an example of a positive feedback loop? A warming temperatures → melting ice → decreasing albedo → cooling temperatures B cooling temperatures → freezing ice → increasing albedo → cooling temperatures C warming temperatures → melting ice → increasing albedo → cooling temperatures D cooling temperatures → freezing ice → decreasing albedo → warming temperatures
B
Which of the following materials warms up and cools down more slowly? Hint: Compare their specific heats. A the atmosphere B bodies of water C land surface
B
Which of the following most effectively absorbs ultraviolet rays? A carbon dioxide B ozone C nitrous & sulfur oxides D particulate matter
B
Which of the following objects displays the highest temperature? A A red giant B A blue dwarf C The Earth
B
Which of the following statements most accurately explains why the sky is blue? A The upper atmosphere absorbs all other visible light and only blue reaches the earth's surface B Blue light is more likely to be scattered than other visible light due to its short wavelength C Ultraviolet light appears blue when it is scattered D Science has yet to satisfactorily explain this phenomenon
B
Which statement about the appearance of the sky is true when abundant particulate matter is present in the atmosphere on a sunny day? A The sky is a dark color. B The sky is a light color. C The sky is a deep blue color.
B
Albedo is the ______. A radiation emitted from the Earth at a particular location. B redirection of visible light due to particles in the atmosphere. C reflectivity of a surface. D intensity of a wavelength.
C
If the solar declination was 90°N, what would the solar elevation at the North Pole be at solar noon? A 0° B 45° C 90°
C
Which of the weather conditions is most dangerous in terms of heat exposure (i.e., greatest apparent temperature)? A windy with high humidity B windy with low humidity C calm air with high humidity D calm air with low humdity
C
Which side of building would be the most comfortable on a sunny but cold day during the winter? Assume that it is 12 noon. [Hint: identify the site which has been most directly exposed to incoming solar radiation. Also recall that the solar elevation is relatively low during the winter. ] A north B east C south D west
C
How does PM affect radiation?
back-reflects it to space and scatters it across the sky and to the surface
What is the plane of the ecliptic?
imaginary plane formed by revolution of earth around the sun
When is the intensity of sunlight the greatest?
solar noon
what is the solar declination during equinoxes?
0
If life forms never evolved on the planet earth, which of the following would be true? A CO2 concentrations would be higher and temperatures would be higher. B CO2 concentrations would be higher and temperatures would be lower. C CO2concentrations would be lower and temperatures would be lower. D CO2 concentrations would be lower and temperatures would be higher.
A
On June 22nd, day length is greatest at which of the following latitudes? A 50°N B 30°N C 0° D 30°S E 50°S
A
Outgoing longwave radiation is greatest under which of the following conditions? A Warm surface B Cold surface
A
Recent sea level increases are largely associated with __________. A thermal expansion of the oceans B land subsidence C melting of ice caps
A
Structures made out of which of the following materials warms up the quickest on a sunny day? A wood B brick
A
Temperatures drop the most on ______________ nights. A clear B cloudy
A
True or False: A net radiation (Q*) value of less than zero indicates that the temperature should be decreasing. A True B False
A
True or False: The solar elevation at the Tropic of Capricorn on the spring and fall equinoxes will be the same. A True B False
A
When does Chapel Hill experience the most direct vertical rays of the sun? A June 21/22 B March 21/22 C December 21/22 D None of the above
A
Which direction do ocean currents circulate across the ocean basins of the Northern Hemisphere and what does this circulation suggest regarding temperatures along the California coast during the summer? A clockwise; cooler than adjacent areas B clockwise; warmer than adjacent areas C counterclockwise; cooler than adjacent areas D counterclockwise; warmer than adjacent areas
A
Which heat transfer process is most directly responsible for the heat you feel on the bottom of your feet when walking across hot coals? A Conduction B Convection C Advection D Radiation
A
Which of the following could be classified as aerosols? A Air-borne particulate matter B Gases emitted by a volcano C Water vapor D All of the above
A
Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects scattering? A Air temperature B Air quality (clean vs. dirty) C Cloud concentration D Altitude of the observer
A
Earth is approximately ______________ miles away from the sun. A 9.2-9.3 million B 92-93 million C 92-93 billion D 9.2-9.3 billion
B
From Figure 3-3, identify the time of day in which the net radiation (Q*) is the most positive [Hint: When during the day does the net incoming radiation MOST EXCEED net outgoing radiation? Assume that it is clear day at the equinox; the sun rises at 6 am and sets at 6 pm]. A 7 am B 11 am C 4 pm D 7 pm E 12 am
B
Given the ocean currents and the prevailing westerly winds in the mid-latitudes, which of the following places is relatively colder in the wintertime? You may want to look at a world map. A Aleuten Islands in Alaska B Newfoundland, Canada C England
B
If a thermometer is placed very close to the ground (e.g., 2 inches above it) on a clear night, it is likely to provide measurement of air temperature that is _______. A too warm B too cold
B
If greenhouse warming causes a greater increase in low-level clouds (e.g., cumulus) and a decrease in high-level clouds (e.g., cirrostratus), rates of warming will _______. A increase B decrease
B
If the earth's axial tilt were 0 degrees, which of the following would be true about solar declination? [Hint: Imagine the earth with the North Pole pointing straight up as it revolves around the sun] A It ranges between 90°N and 90°S B It would always be 0° C It ranges between 23.5°N and 23.5°S
B
It is best to measure air temperatures in which of the following settings? A in the shade, near buildings that shelter it from the wind B in the shade, far removed from buildings, where the air circulates C in the sunlight, near buildings that shelter it from the wind D in the sunlight, far removed from buildings, where the air circulates
B
Perihelion occurs on January 4 when the earth is farthest from the sun. A True B False
B
Sunset always occurs later on the eastern edge of a time zone (e.g. Cape Hatteras as opposed to Asheville, NC). A True B False
B
The process of advection occurs in which of the following dimensions? A Vertical (e.g., upward and downward) B Horizontal (e.g., north, south, east, west, etc.) C 3D (i.e., movement across all three planes)
B
The red part of the visible light spectrum has a shorter wavelength than the other colors. A True B False
B
What causes the sky to display an orange or reddish hue at sunset? A An increase in infrared radiation emanating from the earth after a hot summer's day. B The scattering effect of aerosols combined with the low angle of the sun causing the light to travel through more atmosphere. C The high reflectivity of the ocean and other major bodies of water scattering light with longer wavelengths.
B
What is the main factor that controls seasonal variations in temperature? A The distance between the sun and the Earth B The Earth's axial tilt C The intensity of shortwave radiation
B
What is the solar elevation on June 22nd in Chapel Hill, NC (Latitude = 36°N, Longitude = 79°W)? A 23.5° B 77.5° C 54.0 D 30.5°
B
When the sun exhibits lower numbers of sunspots, ______ typically occur on the earth. A warmer temperatures B cooler temperatures
B
From Figure 3-3, identify roughly the hour you would expect the temperature to reach a maximum, and why? A Noon, solar output is at a maximum B 3pm, solar output is at a maximum C 3pm, peak for net outgoing longwave and balance with net incoming shortwave energy D 6pm, both longwave and shortwave radiation are above zero
C
Identify the two phase changes processes that play key roles in the vertical latent heat flux through the atmosphere: _____ and _____. A freezing; melting B evaporation; deposition C evaporation; condensation D melting; evaporation E freezing; evaporation
C
If an exceptional amount of rainfall has fallen in our area, daytime temperatures are more likely to be _______ they normally are. A higher than B about the same as C lower than
C
Rates of warming over the last 50-100 years are greatest over which of the following areas? A bodies of water B rural settings C urban settings
C
Suppose it is a clear, calm night. Where would you expect temperatures to be the coolest and why? A At the valley bottom because cool air is lighter than warm air. B At the hill top because cool air is lighter than warm air. C At the valley bottom because cool air is denser than warm air. D At the hill top because cool air is denser than warm air.
C
These seasonal variations in carbon dioxide are the result of which of the following? A Chemical reactions associated with seasonal changes in temperature. B Seasonal variations in fossil fuel emissions. C Seasonal variations in vegetation uptake. D Seasonal variations in wind speed.
C
Where is visible light located along the electromagnetic radiation spectrum? A At the end representing the longest wavelengths B At the end representing the shortest wavelengths C Near the middle
C
Where will the sun be shining at midnight on December 22nd? A The Equator B North Pole C South Pole D No locations on the earth
C
Which of the following locations do you think has the most continental climate? Hint: Determine where they are located relative to large bodies of water. A Raleigh, NC B Nashville, TN C Kansas City, MO D San Francisco, CA
C
Which of the following situations does NOT result in light that is more diffuse? A There is an increase in haze. B There is an increase in scattering. C There is an increase in elevation. D There is an increase in cloud cover.
C
Which of the following statements is true regarding net radiation for the Earth's atmosphere? A It is highly negative, as it absorbs much radiation from sun. B It is highly positive, as it absorbs much radiation from the sun. C It is highly negative, as it absorbs very little radiation from the sun. D It is highly positive, as it absorbs very little radiation from the sun.
C
Date of winter solstice and it's solar declination?
December 21-22, 23.5 degrees South
What are the two components solar radiation can be broken down to?
Direct Beam Radiation and Diffuse Radiation
According to Wien's Law, _______ A ... a cooler object will radiate more energy at longer wavelengths than a hotter object. B ... a hotter object will radiate more energy at shorter wavelengths than a cooler object. C ... both cool and hot objects will radiate energy at the same wavelength, but the hotter object will produce waves with a greater amplitude. D ... both cool and hot objects will radiate energy at the same wavelength, but the cooler object will produce waves with a greater amplitude. E Both A and B
E
Daytime convective heating (convection) results in ________. A Vertical air movements B Possibility of thunderstorms C Southerly winds that bring warmer air from the south D All of the above E A and B
E
The sun sets later at which of the following latitudes on March 22nd? A 50°N B 30°N C 0° D 30°S E It sets at the same time across all latitudes
E
Which of the following are greenhouse gases? A carbon dioxide, methane B carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide C water vapor, carbon dioxide D water vapor, carbon monoxide E both a and c
E
Name Electromagnetic Waves Short to Long
Gamma Ray Xray Ultraviolet Ray Visible Infared Microwave Radiowave
When is the spring equinox?
March 21-22
When is the fall equinox?
September 21-22
What 3 things play a big role in earth-atmosphere influence on radiation?
absorption, reflection, and scattering
What is solar insolation?
amount of solar radiation reaching a location over entire day
who experiences 24 hours of light during winter solstice?
antarctic circle
who experiences 24 hours of light during summer solstice?
arctic circle
What direction does the Earth rotate?
counter clockwise
what is the perihelion?
earth closest to sun --> Jan 4th
Aphelion?
earth furthest from sun --> July 4th
what is solar declination?
latitude at which sun's rays hit directly
what are sunspots?
magnetic storms on surface of sun that appear as black dots and are very hot
what is the Maunder Minimum?
period of low sunspot activity
What is solar elevation?
the angle of sun above the horizon (0 to 90)
What is the Stefan-Boltzmann Law?
the hotter a body is, the more radiation emitted
What is Wien's Law?
warmer objects emit relatively more radiation at a shorter wavelength than cooler objects
Because of differences in specific heat, sea surface temperatures along the North Carolina coast are typically ______ the adjacent land surface during the fall and winter. A warmer than B about the same as C cooler than
A
What is the earth's axial tilt?
23.5 degrees
How many time zones are there?
24
As the climate continues to warm, climate scientists project which of the following changes in the frequencies of hurricanes? A A decrease in weak hurricanes and an increase in strong hurricanes. B A decrease in weak hurricanes and a decrease in strong hurricanes. C An increase in weak hurricanes and decrease in strong hurricanes. D An increase in weak hurricanes and an increase in strong hurricanes.
A
All the following absorb more radiation than they reflect except: A Ozone B Asphalt C Water vapor D Snow cover
D
Carbon dioxide concentrations are lowest during which of the following months? A January B April C July D October
D
During a typical day on the moon, the sky appears black due to __________. A intense scattering of visible light B scattering of ultraviolet radiation C the density of the atmospheric mass D the absence of an atmosphere
D
If we get into a car with black upholstery on a sunny day, which of the following statements is true? A Heat will readily conduct through the air to our skin B Our bodies will radiate MORE infrared outward into the car interior than than it will radiate back towards us C We will get warm because the heat in the car will be advected towards us D The interior of the car will radiate MORE infrared outward towards our body than it will radiate back
D
Low-level temperature inversions typically form on ______. A sunny days B cloudy days C cloudy nights D clear nights
D
Rapid climate changes are relatively ______ and can happen when ______ feedback loops dominate the system. A common; positive B common; negative C uncommon; negative D uncommon; positive
D
Solar insolation is ______________. A The angle of the noonday sun with respect to the horizon B The latitude where the sun's direct rays are observed C The amount of radiation striking a surface at a given moment D The total amount of radiation striking a surface over a 24-hour or longer period.
D
The earth requires ___________ day(s) to make one complete revolution around the sun. A 1 day B 1.25 days C 365 days D 365.25 days
D
What is the solar elevation on March 22nd at the North Pole (Latitude = 90°)? A 23.5° B 90° C 54.0° D 0°
D
What kinds of bodies emit electromagnetic radiation? A All stars undergoing nuclear fusion B All celestial bodies C All living bodies D All bodies
D
Which of the following is true about greenhouse gases? A They absorb incoming shortwave from the sun. B The absorb outgoing shortwave from the earth. C They absorb incoming longwave from the sun. D The absorb outgoing longwave from the earth.
D
Which of the following statements best describes projected changes in the precipitation regime as a consequence of climate change? A Fewer droughts and fewer heavy rain/flooding events B More droughts and fewer heavy rain/flooding events C Fewer droughts and more heavy rain/flooding events D More droughts and more heavy rain/flooding events
D
Which of the following statements best describes temperature trends in recent years (i.e., 2000-2016) A Continued rapid increase with each year's temperatures warmer than the prior year. B Some year-to-year variations, but no increase in temperature. C Rapid decrease in temperature with each year's temperatures cooler than the prior year. D A more modest trend in temperature increases, but a marked increase in the last two years.
D
he following conditions affect incoming shortwave radiation except: [Hint: Review the factors in the atmosphere that affect solar radiation in Chapter 1] A Cloud Cover B Haze C Thick atmosphere (low elevation location) D Low Albedo
D