WX 201 Test #1 Study Question
Which statement is true about rainbows? A. The brightest rainbows are seen around noon. B. To see a rainbow at sunrise, you should look toward the west. C. The rainbow will be seen in the east during sunrise. D. Rainbows form when rays from the Sun are scattered. E. The rainbow will be seen in the west when the Sun is setting.
B. To see a rainbow at sunrise, you should look toward the west.
Without the atmosphere, there would be no refraction or scattering, and the Sun would rise later and set earlier than it now does? A. False B. True
B. True
In a hilly region, the best place to plant crops that are sensitive to low temperatures is? A. on the valley floor. B. along the hillsides. C. on the top of the highest hill. D. near streams and rivers. E. in any dry location.
B. along the hillsides.
Earth's radiative equilibrium temperature is the? A. temperature that humans and animals can survive in on Earth. B. average temperature at which Earth is absorbing solar radiation and emitting infrared radiation at equal rates. C. average temperature at which Earth is radiating energy at maximum intensity. D. average temperature Earth must maintain to prevent oceans from freezing solid. E. temperature at which rates of evaporation and condensation on Earth are in balance.
B. average temperature at which Earth is absorbing solar radiation and emitting infrared radiation at equal rates.
The processes of condensation and freezing? A. do not involve energy transport. B. both release sensible heat into the environment. C. both absorb sensible heat from the environment. D. do not affect the temperature of their surroundings. E. are both negative processes.
B. both release sensible heat into the environment.
Earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at? A. ultraviolet wavelengths. B. infrared wavelengths. C. X-ray wavelengths. D. visible wavelengths. E. radio wavelengths.
B. infrared wavelengths.
Energy of motion is also known as? A. static energy. B. kinetic energy. C. dynamic energy. D. latent heat energy. E. sensible heat energy.
B. kinetic energy.
In a volume of air near Earth's surface today, ____ occupies 78 percent and ____ nearly 21 percent. A. hydrogen; helium B. nitrogen; oxygen C. nitrogen; water vapor D. oxygen; hydrogen E. hydrogen; oxygen
B. nitrogen; oxygen
A ____ can only be seen when the Sun is to your back and it is raining in front of you? A. sun pillar B. rainbow C. sundog D. Halo E. corona
B. rainbow
For maximum winter warmth, in the Northern Hemisphere, large windows in a house should face? A. north. B. south. C. east. D. west. E. any direction.
B. south.
If tonight's temperature is going to drop into the middle 20s (°F) and a fairly stiff wind is predicted, probably the best way to protect an orchard against a hard freeze is to (assume that cost is not a factor)? A. use wind machines. B. sprinkle the crops with water. C. pray for clouds. D. use helicopters. E. put orchard heaters to work.
B. sprinkle the crops with water.
Which of the following is the poorest conductor of heat? A. snow B. still air C. water D. ice E. soil
B. still air
Which measurement indicates the average speed of air molecules? A. heat B. temperature C. gravity D. pressure E. density
B. temperature
The main process responsible for warming in the lower atmosphere is? A. the direct absorption of sunlight by the atmosphere. B. the absorption of infrared radiation. C. the release of latent heat during condensation. D. related to Earth's albedo. E. the conduction of heat upward from the surface.
B. the absorption of infrared radiation.
Solar radiation reaches Earth's surface as? A. ultraviolet radiation only. B. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation. C. visible radiation only. D. infrared radiation only. E. visible and infrared radiation only.
B. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.
The average surface temperature on Earth is? A. 50 degrees Fahrenheit. B. 59 degrees Fahrenheit. C. 61 degrees Fahrenheit. D. 55 degrees Fahrenheit. E. 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
B. 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
At night, when the weather is extremely cold and dry, atmospheric pressure in the trophosphere? A. increases with increasing altitude. B. decreases with increasing altitude. C. first increases, then decreases with increasing altitude. D. stays the same, then drops suddenly. E. remains constant with increasing altitude.
B. decreases with increasing altitude.
Air molecules selectively scatter visible light because ____? A. they are the same size as the wavelength of visible light B. they are much larger than the wavelength of visible light C. they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light D. they are unable to absorb electromagnetic waves E. the electrons that orbit around the nucleus of atoms have a blue color
C. they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light
Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air? A. stratosphere B. exosphere C. troposphere D. mesosphere E. ionosphere
C. troposphere
The atmospheric layer in which we live is called the? A. exosphere. B. ionosphere C. troposphere. D. thermosphere. E. stratosphere.
C. troposphere.
The proper order from shortest to longest wavelength is? A. visible, ultraviolet, and infrared. B. visible, infrared, and ultraviolet. C. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared. D. infrared, visible, and ultraviolet.
C. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared.
In the Northern Hemisphere, which day has the fewest hours of daylight? A. autumnal equinox B. vernal equinox C. winter solstice D. spring solstice E. summer solstice
C. winter solstice
Which statement relates to weather rather than climate? A. The foggiest month of the year is December. B. The average temperature for the month of January is 28°F. C. It is cloudy and snowing outside. D. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Frozenlake, Minnesota is -57°F. E. I like the warm, humid summers.
C. It is cloudy and snowing outside.
Although the polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive by insolation in the course of a year, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year by the? A. concentration of Earth's magnetic field lines at the poles. B. conduction of heat through the interior of Earth. C. the insulating properties of snow. D. circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans. E. release of latent heat to the atmosphere when polar ice melts.
D. circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans.
Without the atmospheric greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature would be? A. static B. higher than at present. C. the same as it is now. D. lower than at present. E. radiative
D. lower than at present.
A geostationary satellite takes pictures of? A. different areas on Earth when it is stationary. B. any recurring geologic event on Earth. C. other planets as they are seen from Earth. D. one area on Earth as it moves at the same rate as Earth's spin. E. the moon as it is seen from Earth.
D. one area on Earth as it moves at the same rate as Earth's spin.
A star that is cooler than our Sun appears ____? A. bluer B. whiter C. more violet D. redder E. brighter
D. redder
Sunlight that bounces off a surface is said to be ____ from the surface.? A. radiated B. emitted C. absorbed D. reflected E. conducted
D. reflected
Halos are caused by ____? A. scattering of light by ice crystals B. diffraction of light by cloud droplets C. refraction of light passing through raindrops D. refraction of light passing through ice crystals E. reflection of light by ice crystals
D. refraction of light passing through ice crystals
The length of twilight depends on ______? A. just the latitude B. just the longitude C. season and longitude D. season and latitude E. just the seasons
D. season and latitude
If the amount of energy lost by Earth to space each year were not approximately equal to that received? A. the Sun's output would change. B. the mass of the atmosphere would change. C. the length of the year would change. D. the atmosphere's average temperature would change. E. nothing would change.
D. the atmosphere's average temperature would change.
Almost all of Earth's weather occurs in the? A. thermosphere. B. stratosphere. C. exosphere. D. troposphere. E. mesosphere.
D. troposphere.
Which gases are primarily responsible for the atmospheric greenhouse effect in Earth's atmosphere? A. nitrogen and carbon dioxide B. nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons. C. oxygen and nitrogen D. water vapor and carbon dioxide E. ozone and oxygen
D. water vapor and carbon dioxide
The only substance near Earth's surface that is found naturally in the current atmosphere as a solid, liquid, and a gas is? A. molecular oxygen. B. carbon dioxide. C. carbon. D. water. E. ozone.
D. water.
Much of the carbon dioxide found in earlier atmospheres is currently locked up in? A. shale. B. sandstone. C. volcanic rocks. D. granite. E. carbonate rocks.
E. carbonate rocks.
There are considerably more air molecules near Earth's surface than higher up, which means, in comparison, air near the surface? A. is less dense. B. has the same density. C. has no density. D. is only half as dense. E. is more dense.
E. is more dense.
Volcanic eruptions rich in ____ can produce red sunsets? A. methane B. carbon monoxide C. nitrogen D. water vapor E. sulfur
E. sulfur
Secondary rainbows occur when ____? A. light refracts through a cloud of large raindrops. B. a single internal reflection of light occurs in raindrops. C. light refracts through ice crystals. D. the Sun disappears behind a cloud and then reappears. E. two internal reflections of light occur in raindrops.
E. two internal reflections of light occur in raindrops.
The sky will begin to turn milky white ____? A. on an oppressively hot day of the year B. when an inferior mirage occurs C. when the concentration of ozone begins to reach dangerous levels D. when the relative humidity decreases below about ten percent E. when small particles such as dust and salt become suspended in the air
E. when small particles such as dust and salt become suspended in the air
Which latitude below would experience the fewest hours of daylight on December 22nd? A. 60°S B. 20°N C. 20°S D. 0°(Equator) E. 60°N
E. 60°N
Over Earth as a whole, one would expect to observe the smallest variation in temperature from day to day and from month to month? A. along the Pacific coast of North America. B. high in the mountains in the middle of a continent. C. at the North Pole. D. in the center of a large land mass. E. on a small island near the equator.
E. on a small island near the equator.
How do red and blue light differ? A. The wavelength of red light is longer. B. Red and blue light have different directions of propagation. C. Red light has a higher intensity. D. Blue light has a higher speed of propagation. E. The wavelength of blue light is longer.
A. The wavelength of red light is longer.
Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5°with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. If the amount of tilt were increased to 40°, we would expect in middle latitudes? A. hotter summers and colder winters than at present. B. cooler summers and colder winters than at present. C. hotter summers and milder winters than at present. D. no appreciable change from present conditions. E. cooler summers and milder winters than at present.
A. hotter summers and colder winters than at present.
The heat energy released when water vapor changes to a liquid is called? A. latent heat of condensation. B. latent heat of fusion. C. latent heat of fission. D. specific heat of evaporation. E. specific heat of condensation.
A. latent heat of condensation.
At any given time, ____ of Earth is illuminated by the Sun? A. one-half B. two-thirds C. one-fourth D. one-third E. three quarters
A. one-half
When it is January and winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is ____ and ____ in the Southern Hemisphere? A. July; summer B. January; summer C. March; spring D. January; winter E. July; winter
B. January; summer
On a weather map, sharp changes in temperature, humidity, and wind direction are marked by? A. a ridge. B. a front. C. blowing dust. D. an anticyclone. E. a low.
B. a front.
Twilight is the name given to the time ____, when the sky remains illuminated and allows outdoor activities without artificial lighting? A. around sunset B. after sunset and immediately before sunrise C. before sunset and immediately after sunrise D. after sunset and immediately after sunrise E. before sunset and immediately before sunrise
B. after sunset and immediately before sunrise
When the atmosphere becomes loaded with particles, only the ____ red wavelengths are able to penetrate the atmosphere, and we see a ____ Sun? A. shortest; red B. longest; red C. longest; blue D. shortest; white E. longest; yellow
B. longest; red
Longer days are generally associated with? A. colder daily temperatures. B. more insolation. C. more heating degree days. D. large daily temperature variations. E. less insolation.
B. more insolation.
At what time during a 24-hour day would a radiation temperature inversion best be developed? A. at sunset B. near sunrise C. toward the end of the morning D. at noon E. between 3 and 5 p.m. when the air temperature reaches a maximum
B. near sunrise
On a clear, calm night, the ground and air above cool mainly by which process? A. reflection B. radiation C. conduction D. convection E. evaporation
B. radiation
Another name for diffuse light is ____? A. refracted light B. diffracted light C. scattered light D. transmitted light E. dispersion of light
C. scattered light
The Sun is directly overhead at Mexico City (latitude 19°N)? A. once a year. B. never. C. twice a year. D. four times a year. E. every month.
C. twice a year.
The Sun emits its greatest intensity of radiation in the? A. ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. B. x-ray portion of the spectrum. C. visible portion of the spectrum. D. gamma ray portion of the spectrum. E. infrared portion of the spectrum.
C. visible portion of the spectrum.
The temperature of the tropopause? A. is much warmer than the temperature at Earth's surface. B. has never been measured. C. is close to the temperature at Earth's surface. D. is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface. E. is nearly the same as the sun's temperature.
D. is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface.
Suppose yesterday morning you noticed ice crystals (frost) on the grass, yet the minimum temperature reported in the newspaper was only 35°F. The most likely reason for this apparent discrepancy is that? A. the thermometer was in error. B. the thermometer was read incorrectly. C. the thermometer was read before the minimum temperature was reached for that day. D. temperature readings are taken in instrument shelters more than 5 feet above the ground. E. the newspaper reported the wrong temperature.
D. temperature readings are taken in instrument shelters more than 5 feet above the ground.
Which of the following latitudes is closer to Earth's axis? A. 15°N B. 60°N C. 40°N D. 0°N E. 90°N
E. 90°N
During the afternoon, the greatest temperature difference between surface air and the air several meters above occurs on a? A. cloudy, calm afternoon. B. clear, windy afternoon. C. cold, windy afternoon. D. cloudy, windy afternoon. E. clear, calm afternoon.
E. clear, calm afternoon.
Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are a? A. cloudy, windy, moist, summer night. B. clear, calm, moist, summer night. C. cloudy, calm, moist, winter night. D. clear, windy, dry, summer night. E. clear, calm, dry, winter night.
E. clear, calm, dry, winter night.
In clear weather, the air next to the ground is usually ____ than the air above during the night and ____ than the air above during the day? A. warmer; colder B. warmer; warmer C. hotter; more humid D. colder; less humid E. colder; warmer
E. colder; warmer
What is released as sensible heat during the formation of clouds? A. sublimation B. shortwave radiation C. deposition D. longwave radiation E. latent heat
E. latent heat
Red sunsets, blue moons, and milky-white skies are mainly the result of ____? A. diffraction B. dispersion C. refraction D. reflection E. scattering
E. scattering
The lag in daily temperature refers to the time lag between the? A. minimum and maximum solar energy received at the surface for a given day. B. sunrise and sunset. C. time of minimum temperature and the time of maximum solar radiation. D. minimum and maximum temperature for a day. E. time of maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature.
E. time of maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature.
The temperature of a rising air parcel? A. remains constant. B. always cools due to compression. C. always warms due to expansion. D. always cools due to expansion. E. always warms due to compression.
D. always cools due to expansion.
When the atmosphere becomes loaded with particles, only the longest red wavelengths are able to penetrate the atmosphere, so we see a red Sun. A. True B. False
A. True
As sunlight enters the atmosphere, the shorter visible wavelengths of violet, blue, and green are scattered more by atmospheric gases than are the longer wavelengths of yellow, orange, and especially red, which is why the sky appears blue? A. True B. False
A. True
The amount of heat energy required to bring about a change in temperature in a substance is called the? A. heat capacity. B. dead heat. C. conduction heat. D. radiative equilibrium. E. latent heat.
A. heat capacity.
Which of the following is MOST likely associated with fair weather? A. high pressure area B. a cold front C. a warm front D. large storm systems E. low pressure area
A. high pressure area
On the summer solstice, the highest position of the noonday Sun is located? A. in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. B. near the equator. C. near the South Pole. D. near the North Pole. E. in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.
A. in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
Most of the radiation emitted by a human body is in the form of? A. infrared radiation and is invisible. B. ultraviolet radiation and is invisible. C. visible radiation but is too weak to be visible. D. humans do not emit electromagnetic radiation. E. the whole electromagnetic spectrum.
A. infrared radiation and is invisible.
As ocean temperatures increase, which greenhouse gas increases and enhances the atmospheric greenhouse effect, thereby illustrating a positive feedback process? A. water vapor B. nitrogen C. oxygen D. argon E. hydrogen sulfide
A. water vapor
Which of the following is considered a variable gas in Earth's atmosphere? A. water vapor B. argon C. oxygen D. nitrogen E. helium
A. water vapor
On average, what percentage of solar energy striking the outer atmosphere eventually reaches Earth's surface? A. 50 percent B. 15 percent C. 5 percent D. 70 percent E. 30 percent
A. 50 percent
Horizontal transport by the wind is called? A. advection B. reflection C. latent heat. D. radiation E. conduction
A. advection
The daily minimum temperature is usually observed? A. around sunrise. B. near midnight. C. at the time of sunset. D. several hours before sunrise. E. several hours after sunrise.
A. around sunrise.
Because air temperatures normally decrease with increasing height, trees found on the cooler north-facing side of mountains are often those that usually grow? A. at higher elevations. B. in arid climates. C. near the equator. D. at lower elevations. E. near the Arctic circle.
A. at higher elevations.
One would expect the lowest temperatures to be found next to the ground on a? A. clear, dry, calm night. B. clear, damp, windy night. C. cloudy night. D. rainy night. E. clear, dry, windy night.
A. clear, dry, calm night.
The most abundant gas in the stratosphere is? A. nitrogen (N2). B. ozone (O3). C. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). D. carbon dioxide (CO2). E. oxygen (O2).
A. nitrogen (N2).
The most important reason why summers in the Southern Hemisphere are not warmer than summers in the Northern Hemisphere is that? A. over 80 percent of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water. B. Earth is closer to the Sun in January. C. Earth is farther from the Sun in July. D. the Sun's energy is less intense in the Southern Hemisphere. D. ice from Antarctica prevents it from getting very hot.
A. over 80 percent of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water.
Most human-made impurities found in the atmosphere present a health and environmental hazard. These are called? A. pollutants. B. dust. C. particles. D. nutrients. E. aerosols.
A. pollutants.
What determines the type (wavelength) and amount of radiation that an object emits? A. temperature B. latent heat C. density D. thermal conductivity E. specific heat
A. temperature
The main process responsible for warming in the lower atmosphere is? A. the absorption of infrared radiation. B. the direct absorption of sunlight by the atmosphere. C. related to Earth's albedo. D. the release of latent heat during condensation. E. the conduction of heat upward from the surface.
A. the absorption of infrared radiation.
The word "weather" is defined as? A. the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. B. the average of the weather elements. C. the climate averaged over a year's time. D. the climate of a region. E. any type of falling precipitation.
A. the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.
The most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's current atmosphere is? A. water vapor (H2O). B. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). C. carbon dioxide (CO2). D. nitrous oxide (N2O). E. methane (CH4).
A. water vapor (H2O).
White light is perceived when ____ strike the cones of the eye with nearly equal intensity? A. a single short wavelength B. a single long wavelength C. all long wavelengths D. all visible wavelengths E. all short wavelengths
D. all visible wavelengths
The greatest variation in daily temperature usually occurs? A. on top of a mountain. B. at the top of a high-rise apartment complex. C. at the ground. D. about 5 feet above the ground. E. at the level where thermals stop rising.
C. at the ground.
Sinking air warms as a result of? A. condensation B. expansion C. compression D. conduction E. friction
C. compression
The atmospheric greenhouse effect is produced mainly by the absorption and re-emission of? A. ultraviolet radiation by the atmosphere. B. visible light by the atmosphere. C. infrared radiation by the atmosphere. D. visible light by the ground. E. visible light by clouds.
C. infrared radiation by the atmosphere.
The rate at which temperature decreases with increasing altitude is known as the? A. thermocline. B. sounding. C. lapse rate. D. sudden temperature drop. E. temperature slope.
C. lapse rate.
The unit of pressure most commonly found on a surface weather map is? A. inches of mercury (Hg). B. millimeters of mercury (Hg). C. millibars or hectopascals. D. pounds per square inch. E. kilograms per square meter.
C. millibars or hectopascals.
Ozone in the stratosphere? A. provides healthy levels of vitamin D to humans. B. is an aerosol found in the ionosphere. C. protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. D. is one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog. E. is a health hazard for people with respiratory illnesses
C. protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
A star much hotter than our Sun radiates more energy at ____? A. longer wavelengths and appears redder B. about the same wavelengths and appears whiter C. shorter wavelengths and appears bluer D. shorter wavelengths and appears redder E. longer wavelengths and appears bluer
C. shorter wavelengths and appears bluer
If the setting Sun appears red, you may conclude that ____? A. the next day's weather will be stormy B. you will not be able to see the Moon that night C. the longest wavelengths of visible light are striking your eyes D. the shortest wavelengths of visible light are striking your eyes E. the Sun's surface temperature has cooled somewhat at the end of the day
C. the longest wavelengths of visible light are striking your eyes
An important reason for the large daily temperature range over deserts is? A. the ozone content of desert air is very low. B. the light-colored sand radiates heat very rapidly at night. C. there is little water vapor in the air to absorb and re- radiate infrared radiation. D. free convection cells are unable to form above the hot desert ground. E. dry air is a very poor heat conductor.
C. there is little water vapor in the air to absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation.
At which temperature would Earth be radiating energy at the greatest rate or intensity? A. -5°F B. -40°F C. 32°F D. 105°F E. 60°F
D. 105°F
The combined albedo of Earth and the atmosphere is approximately ____ percent.? A. 10 B. 90 C. 4 D. 30 E. 50
D. 30
On what date is the Sun the most intense in the Northern Hemisphere? A. September 22 B. March 20 C. July 15 D. June 21 E. December 21
D. June 21
Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere? A. Wind B. Moisture C. dew point D. Pressure E. Temperature
D. Pressure
Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of? A. air density. B. wind speed. C. air pressure. D. air temperature E. chemical composition.
D. air temperature