Geography Quiz 1

Land has a ________ specific heat than water and therefore heats more ________. a. higher; slowly b. higher; quickly c. lower; slowly d. lower; quickly

d. lower; quickly

define latent heat

heat that is added or reduced in the phase changes of water

If a system responds to a change in input by moving further away from its equilibrium condition, what type of feedback has occurred? a. positive b. negative c. neutral d. Not enough information is given to indicate what type of feedback has occurred.

a. positive

define equinox

the time or date at which the sun crosses the celestial equator,when day and night are of equal length

What are the solstices and equinoxes, and what is the sun's declination at these times?

Winter solstice - Dec 21-22 -- 23.5 Degrees South Latitude Summer Solstice - June 20-21 -- 23.5 Degrees North Latitude Vernal Equinox - March 20-21-- 0 Degrees Autumnal Equinox- Sept 22-23 --0 degrees

define negative feedback

a feedback loop that tends to slow or dampen response in a system thus promoting self-regulation; far mor common than positive feedback in living system

The increase in melt ponds in Arctic regions is an example of a. positive feedback, because the melt ponds absorb more solar energy than the ice did. b. positive feedback, as the melt ice freezes it increases the area of ice. c. negative feedback, because the ponds reflect more sunlight than ice and therefore absorb less energy. d. negative feedback, as the ice melts the water freezes, increasing the amount of ice.

a. positive feedback, because the melt ponds absorb more solar energy than the ice did.

The temperature on a cloudy night is likely to be ________ those on a clear night—all other factors being equal. a. warmer than b. colder than c. the same as

a. warmer than

A vertical air current that is generated by temperature-induced density differences is an example of heat transfer by a. advection. b. convection. c. conduction. d. transmission. e. diffusion

b. convection.

The reflective quality of a surface is known as its a. conduction. b. absorption. c. albedo. d. scattering.

c. albedo.

The insolation received at Earth's surface is a. usually low at the equator. b. generally greater at high latitudes because of daylength. c. greatest over low-latitude deserts with their cloudless skies. d. inadequate to sustain life.

c. greatest over low-latitude deserts with their cloudless skies.

Why is stratospheric ozone important?

it absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun, protecting life on earth

define terrestrial radiation

long-wave electromagnetic radiation originating from earth and its atmosphere. it is the radiation emitted by naturally radioactive materials on earth including uranium, thorium, and radon

define latitude

the angular distance measured north or south of the equator from a point at the center of the equator from a point at the center of the earth

define climate

the consistent, long-term behavior of weather over time, including its variability; in contrast to weather

define global dimming

the decline in sunlight reaching earths surface due to pollution, aerosls, and clouds

define perihelion

that point in earths elliptical orbit about the sun where earth is closest to the sun

define troposphere

the lowest region of the atmosphere, extending from the earth's surface to a height of about 3.7-6.2 miles, which is the lower boundary of the stratosphere

define Aphelion

the most distant point in Earths elliptical orbit about the sun. reached on july 4th at about 152,083,000 km

define stratosphere

the portion of the hemisphere that ranges from 20-50 km above Earth's surface. contains the ozonosphere

define lapse rate

the rate at which air temperature falls with increasing altitude

define albedo

the reflective quality of a surface, expressed as the percentage of reflected insolation to incoming insolation; a function of surface color, angle of incidence, and surface texture

define weather

the short-term condition of the atmosphere

Greenhouse gases act to ________ temperatures by ________ thermal infrared radiation. a. increase; trapping b. increase; reflecting c. decrease; blocking d. decrease; trapping

a. increase; trapping

The cool ocean currents that flow along the west coasts of continents promote a. heavy rainfall. b. fog. c. thunderstorm development. d. all of these

b. fog.

On the northern hemisphere's summer solstice, the north polar region receives ________ daily insolation than areas nearer the equator because ________. a. more; the Sun does not set b. more; the Sun is higher in the sky c. less; the Sun does not rise d. less; the Sun is lower in the sk

b. more; the Sun is higher in the sky

define temperature inversion

a reversal of the normal decrease of temperature with increasing altitude; can occur anywhere from ground level up to several thousand meters; function to block atmospheric convection and thereby trap pollutants

Which of the following is true? a. Northern Hemisphere temperatures are more strongly dominated by continentality than are Southern Hemisphere temperatures. b. Southern Hemisphere temperatures are more strongly dominated by continentality than are Northern Hemisphere temperatures. c. The Northern and Southern hemispheres are dominated equally by maritime influences. d. The Northern and Southern hemispheres are dominated equally by continentality.

a. Northern Hemisphere temperatures are more strongly dominated by continentality than are Southern Hemisphere temperatures.

Which of the following is true regarding the depletion of ozone in the ozonosphere? a. The depletion is restricted to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. b. It results from chemical reactions with chlorine that is derived from CFCs. c. It results from the burning of fossil fuels. d. There is little scientific evidence to support the idea that ozone is being depleted as a result of human activity.

b. It results from chemical reactions with chlorine that is derived from CFCs.

On a cloudy day, Earth's surface receives mainly a. direct insolation. b. diffuse radiation. c. direct radiation. d. a reduced daylength

b. diffuse radiation.

The principal controls and influences on temperature patterns around the globe include a. Earth's tilt, rotation, revolution, and sphericity. b. latitude, altitude, land-water heating differences, cloud cover, ocean currents, and surface conditions. c. land-water heating differences only. d. specific heat only.

b. latitude, altitude, land-water heating differences, cloud cover, ocean currents, and surface conditions.

What type of feedback maintains stability in a system, i.e., what type of feedback keeps a system functioning properly? a. positive b. negative c. neutral

b. negative

When water evaporates from a surface, which of the following occurs? a. Energy is stored within the water. b. Energy is removed from the surface. c. The surface is cooled. d. All of these occur

d. All of these occur

The uneven distribution of insolation by latitude is primarily a result of a. variability in the Sun's output. b. the changing distance of Earth from the Sun. c. variation in the value of a watt. d. Earth's sphericity, which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.

d. Earth's sphericity, which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.

The highest annual values for latent heat of evaporation (LE) on land occur in the tropics because a. there is a net annual energy surplus there. b. rainfall makes water available for evaporation from soils. c. the dark color of forests (as opposed to sandy soils) results in the absorption of heat energy by vegetation. d. all of these e. rainfall and dark color of forests only

d. all of these

Average temperatures in the troposphere ________ with increasing elevation because the atmosphere is heated ________. a. increase; from the top-down by insolation b. increase; from the top-down by energy emitted from the stratosphere c. decrease; from the bottom-up by reflected insolation d. decrease; from the bottom-up by terrestrial infrared energy

d. decrease; from the bottom-up by terrestrial infrared energy

Which of the following has the highest albedo? a. forests b. asphalt c. dry, light sandy soils d. fresh snow

d. fresh snow

define advection

horizontal transfer of air, water, heat, etc. across the surface of the earth by wind or ocean currents

Which of the following is not associated with urban environments? a. higher relative humidity than that in surrounding rural areas b. greatly increased condensation nuclei relative to surrounding rural areas c. increased precipitation relative to surrounding rural areas d. lower annual mean wind speeds relative to surrounding rural areas

a. higher relative humidity than that in surrounding rural areas

The highest maximum temperatures recorded on Earth occur in interior deserts during summer because a. insolation is greater than at other latitudes. b. the skies are cloudless. c. little evaporation occurs to supply moisture to the atmosphere. d. all of these e. of greater insolation and cloudless skies only.

a. insolation is greater than at other latitudes.

The dominant wavelength of energy emitted by the sun is a. shorter than that emitted by Earth. b. longer than that emitted by Earth. c. the same length as that emitted by Earth.

a. shorter than that emitted by Earth.

Which of the following is true of insolation? a. It is the only energy input driving Earth's atmospheric system. b. It includes diffuse radiation. c. It includes direct radiation. d. All of these are true. e. None of these are true.

d. All of these are true.

The annual temperature range map shows that the a. lowest ranges occur over continental interiors in the Northern Hemisphere. b. greatest ranges occur in the subtropics over the oceans. c. greatest ranges occur over the continental masses in the Southern Hemisphere. d. greatest ranges occur in east central Siberia in Russia.

d. greatest ranges occur in east central Siberia in Russia.

Seasonal variation in daylength ________ with increasing distance from the equator because ________. a. decreases; Earth rotates more slowly near the poles b. decreases; Earth's axis is titled relative to the plane of the ecliptic c. increases; Earth rotates more slowly near the poles d. increases; Earth's axis is titled relative to the plane of the ecliptic e. remains constant throughout the year; Earth is a sphere

d. increases; Earth's axis is titled relative to the plane of the ecliptic

Greenhouse gases act to increase temperatures by absorbing and releasing a. shortwave energy travelling from Earth into space. b. shortwave energy from entering Earth's energy system. c. longwave energy travelling from Earth into space. d. longwave energy from space entering Earth's energy system.

d. longwave energy from space entering Earth's energy system.

Which of the following is true regarding Earth's axis? a. The amount of axial tilt fluctuates during the year and forms the basis for seasonal changes. b. The axis remains parallel to the plane of the ecliptic. c. Axial tilt is unrelated to the phenomenon of seasonal change. d. The axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic d. the axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic

d. the axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic

Which two gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect because of their ability to absorb infrared energy? a. oxygen and hydrogen b. ozone and dust c. nitrogen and oxygen d. water vapor and carbon dioxide

d. water vapor and carbon dioxide

define solstice

either of the two times in the year, the summer and winter solstices, when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon marked by the longest and shortest days

Define positive feedback

feedback that amplifies or encourages responses in a system

define sensible heat

the heat measured with a thermometer; a measure of the concentration of kinetic energy from molecular motion

What are the key differences between solar and terrestrial radiation?

Solar Radiation (i) Incoming solar energy is in the form of short waves. (ii) It heats the earth's surface. (iii) 14 units out of 100 units is absorbed by the atmosphere, 35 units are reflected back to space and the rest 51 units reach the earth's surface. Terrestrial Radiation (i) Outgoing radiation from the earth is in the form of long waves. (ii) It heats the atmosphere. (iii) 34 units out of 51 units are absorbed by the atmosphere and 17 units are reflected (bounced) back to space

Which of the following is true regarding the specific heat of land and water? a. Water can hold more heat energy than a comparable volume of rock. b. The temperature of water will rise faster than that of land when exposed to the same amount of insolation. c. Land surfaces have a higher specific heat than water surfaces. d. Land and water have very similar specific heat values.

a. Water can hold more heat energy than a comparable volume of rock.

If the Gulf Stream shifted away from Iceland and England, winter temperatures in these locations would a. become cooler, decreasing the average winter temperature. b. become warmer, increasing the average winter temperature. c. remain the same. d. It is impossible to say what would happen to the winter temperatures.

a. become cooler, decreasing the average winter temperature.

Longwave radiation (+LW) arriving at the surface a. comes primarily from infrared energy emitted by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. b. comes primarily directly from the Sun. c. comes primarily from diffuse solar radiation. d. comes primarily from UV radiation reflected from the bottoms of clouds.

a. comes primarily from infrared energy emitted by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would ________ because ________ insolation would be absorbed. a. decrease; less b. decrease; more c. increase; less d. increase; more

a. decrease; less

The relationship between the insolation curve and the air temperature curve on a graph of daily surface energy a. exhibits a lag of several hours between the plotted lines. b. shows little or no relationship between the two variables. c. shows that peak temperatures occur near noon, whereas peak insolation receipt is at 3:00 or 4:00 P.M. d. coincide at noon

a. exhibits a lag of several hours between the plotted lines.

The equinox a. occurs four times during the year. b. has twelve hours of day and 12 hours of night for all locations. c. is the longest day of the year at any given place. d. is when the subsolar point is at one of the tropics.

b. has twelve hours of day and 12 hours of night for all locations.

The amount of energy received above the South Pole during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice is ________ than that received above the North Pole during the northern hemisphere's summer solstice because ________. a. more; the atmosphere is thinner above the South Pole b. more; Earth is closer to the Sun during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice c. less; the atmosphere is thicker above the South Pole d. less; Earth is farther from the Sun during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice

b. more; Earth is closer to the Sun during the southern hemisphere's summer solstice

If increased levels of carbon dioxide lead to further increases in temperature by promoting the release of even more carbon dioxide from the oceans, this means that ________ feedback has occurred and that the planet is ________. a. positive; in equilibrium b. positive; out of equilibrium c. negative; in equilibrium d. negative; out of equilibrium d. negative; out of equilibrium

b. positive; out of equilibrium

As a result of the characteristics of water, cities located near a coast should experience a temperature range that is ________ those of cities located in the interior at the same latitude. a. the same as b. smaller than c. larger than

b. smaller than

Evaporation a. tends to increase temperatures over land. b. tends to lower temperatures more over water bodies than over land. c. tends to increase the temperature over water. d. affects land more than ocean surfaces. e. affects the temperature of land surfaces and water bodies the same amount.

b. tends to lower temperatures more over water bodies than over land.

Net radiation (NET R) refers to a. the net energy expended for ground heating and cooling. b. the balance of all radiation incoming and outgoing at Earth's surface. c. the amount of insolation coming into the surface. d. the amount of insolation not absorbed at the surface

b. the balance of all radiation incoming and outgoing at Earth's surface.

Which of the following is false regarding carbon dioxide? a. It is critically important in regulating the temperature of the planet. b. It is a natural product of life processes (i.e., respiration). c. It occurs in large amounts in the atmosphere—as one would expect given the important role it plays in life processes and in regulating the temperature of the planet. d. The amount of carbon dioxide has increased as a result of human activities. e. All of these are true.

c. It occurs in large amounts in the atmosphere—as one would expect given the important role it plays in life processes and in regulating the temperature of the planet.

Which of the following statements is true? a. December 21 = vernal equinox b. September 22 = summer solstice in Australia c. March 21 = equal day and nights everywhere on Earth d. June 21 = equal day and nights everywhere on Earth

c. March 21 = equal day and nights everywhere on Earth

Which of the following is not responsible for the urban heating effect? a. The materials cities are constructed from conduct heat better than natural soils. b. The materials cities are constructed from store heat better than natural soils. c. The albedo of urban environments is substantially higher than that of natural landscapes. d. The concentration of people, machines and heat generating devices adds more heat to the environment. e. Less evaporation occurs from city surfaces.

c. The albedo of urban environments is substantially higher than that of natural landscapes.

Which of the following is true regarding clouds? a. They increase temperature minimums and temperature maximums. b. They cover about 15 percent of Earth's surface at any one time. c. They act like insulation in that they have a moderating influence on temperatures. d. They decrease nighttime temperatures and increase daytime temperatures.

c. They act like insulation in that they have a moderating influence on temperatures.

Which of the following results from the fact that there is movement (currents) in heat transferring media? a. Heat energy is more evenly distributed in soil and rock than in water. b. Heat energy tends to concentrate in one spot. c. Warmer and cooler water can mix, spreading heat over a greater volume. d. None of the above—currents have no effect on either land or water body temperatures.

c. Warmer and cooler water can mix, spreading heat over a greater volume

The ozonosphere is critical to life because it a. affects temperatures. b. absorbs visible light wavelengths. c. absorbs most ultraviolet wavelengths. d. produces the auroras.

c. absorbs most ultraviolet wavelengths.

The ocean temperature rarely rises above 31 degrees C (88 degrees F) because of ________ feedback caused by ________. a. positive; evaporation b. positive; ocean currents c. negative; evaporation d. negative; ocean currents

c. negative; evaporation

The three stable (i.e., nonvariable) gases in the atmosphere, in order of abundance from most to least, are a. carbon dioxide, argon, and oxygen. b. oxygen, carbon dioxide, and argon. c. nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. d. oxygen, argon, and nitrogen

c. nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.

The sky is blue because a. blue light is absorbed more than other wavelengths. b. Earth's atmosphere allows only blue light to enter. c. the atmosphere scatters blue light more than any other visible wavelength. d. most of the light coming from the Sun is in the blue end of the visible spectrum

c. the atmosphere scatters blue light more than any other visible wavelength.

Conduction refers to a. the vertical movement of air in response to temperature-induced density differences. b. strong vertical motions in the atmosphere. c. the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy that diffuses through the material. d. the behavior of something.

c. the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy that diffuses through the material.

Temperature inversions occur a. when surface temperatures are higher than overlying layers of air. b. when there is good air drainage and ventilation of the surface air. c. when surface temperatures are lower than warmer overlying air. d. during episodes of reduced air pollution.

c. when surface temperatures are lower than warmer overlying air.

The longest days of the year in the Southern Hemisphere are experienced during the Northern Hemisphere's a. summer solstice. b. spring equinox. c. winter solstice. d. autumn equinox

c. winter solstice