Geography Test #2

10) Earth's average overall albedo is A) 31 percent. B) 51 percent. C) 69 percent. D) unknown.

A) 31 percent.

40) Both City A and City B are located at the same latitude and the same amount of cloud cover. City A has a mean annual temperature of 27°C and a temperature range of 22°C. City B has a mean annual temperature of 26°C and a temperature range of 14°C. Which city is located in the interior of the continent? A) City A B) City B C) It is impossible to say.

A) City A

70) Which of the following is incorrect regarding the subpolar low-pressure cells? A) In the Northern Hemisphere, they are generally stronger in summer than in winter. B) They are known as the Aleutian and Icelandic lows. C) They are associated with the polar front. D) They develop more strongly over the ocean than over land.

A) In the Northern Hemisphere, they are generally stronger in summer than in winter.

65) Which is true of air flowing into low pressure center? A) Air converges and ascends. B) Air converges and descends. C) Air diverges and ascends. D) Air diverges and descends.

B) Air converges and descends.

67) Which of the following is true of high pressure areas? A) They generally involve atmospheric pressures lower than 1000 mb. B) Air descends and diverges within high pressure systems. C) Air converges and ascends within high pressure systems. D) They are characteristic for areas along the equator.

B) Air descends and diverges within high pressure systems.

61) The normal range for air pressure at sea level is A) 1060-2010 mb. B) 100 to 650 mb. C) 980-1050 mb. D) 500 to 1000 mb.

C) 980-1050 mb.

15) Which of the following combinations of NET R terms would be associated with a hot, dry climate? (+ SW = insolation; - SW = albedo; LE = latent heat of evaporation) A) + SW small; - SW large; LE large B) + SW large; - SW small; LE large C) + SW small; - SW large; LE small D) + SW large; - SW small; LE small

D) + SW large; - SW small; LE small

54) Normal sea level pressure has a value of A) 32.01 millibars of mercury. B) 28.50 inches of lead. C) 500 mb. D) 1013.2 millibars.

D) 1013.2 millibars.

32) Air pressure at 5500 m (18,000 ft.) is __________ (percent) of that at sea level. A) 0 B) 10 C) 30 D) 50

D) 50

35) Which of the following is true? A) The Northern and Southern hemispheres are dominated equally by continentality. 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) Northern Hemisphere temperatures are more strongly dominated by continentality than are Southern Hemisphere temperatures.

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

47) On a weather map of air pressure, what can you infer from a closer spacing of isobars? A) a weak pressure gradient creating a slower flow of air B) a steep pressure gradient creating a slower flow of air C) little without knowing temperature patterns D) a steep pressure gradient creating a faster flow of air E) higher pressures

D) a steep pressure gradient creating a faster flow of air

13) The reflective quality of a surface is known as its A) conduction. B) scattering. C) absorption. D) albedo.

D) albedo.

34) The single most important control on temperature is A) evaporation. B) distribution of land and water. C) altitude. D) latitude.

D) latitude.

37) Relative to latitude and surface energy receipts, which of the following is true? A) Insolation intensity decreases with distance from the subsolar point. B) Daylength decreases with increasing latitude in summer. C) Seasonal effects increase toward the equator. D) Insolation intensity increases with distance from the subsolar point.

A) Insolation intensity decreases with distance from the subsolar point.

30) Which of the following would experience the least continentality? A) a tropical island B) 200 kilometers inland from the Gulf of Mexico C) central Nevada D) north central Asia

A) a tropical island

31) -273°C (-459.4°F) is A) absolute zero B) the same as 273 Kelvin. C) an average boiling temperature. D) not possible on any scale.

A) absolute zero

48) Which instrument would you use to measure wind speed? A) an anemometer. B) the wind chill chart. C) a wind vane. D) a barometer. E) the Beaufort wind scale.

A) an anemometer.

5) A vertical air current that is generated by temperature-induced density differences is an example of heat transfer by A) convection. B) conduction. C) advection. D) diffusion. E) transmission.

A) convection.

63) The intertropical convergence zone is characterized by A) convergence and uplift of warm surface air. B) convergence and subsidence of cold surface air. C) divergence and subsidence of cold surface air. D) divergence and uplift of warm surface air.

A) convergence and uplift of warm surface air.

52) Which of the following are correctly matched? A) cyclones- low pressure cells B) high pressure- ascending, converging air movements C) anticyclones- subpolar pressure cells D) high pressure cells- cyclonic circulation

A) cyclones- low pressure cells

6) Which of the following has the highest albedo? A) fresh snow B) dry, light sandy soils C) asphalt D) forests

A) fresh snow

38) Land has a __________ specific heat than water and therefore heats more __________. A) lower; quickly B) higher; quickly C) higher; slowly D) lower; slowly

A) lower; quickly

12) An increase in the amount of high altitude, thin clouds would A) warm the planet in a process called cloud-greenhouse forcing. B) have no effect on the planet's temperature because insolation is constant. C) cool the planet in a process called cloud-albedo forcing.

A) warm the planet in a process called cloud-greenhouse forcing.

36) The temperature on a cloudy night is likely to be __________ the temperature on a clear nightall other factors being equal. A) warmer than B) the same as C) colder than

A) warmer than

49) The area of conflict between colder and warmer air masses in the subpolar region A) is referred to as the subtropical contact zone. B) is termed the polar front. C) is most distinctive during summer months in each respective hemisphere. D) is unrelated to the formation of cyclonic storms.

B) is termed the polar front.

23) The principal controls and influences of temperature patterns include A) specific heat only. B) latitude, altitude, land-water heating differences, cloud cover, ocean currents, and surface conditions. C) Earth's tilt, rotation, revolution, and sphericity. D) land-water heating differences only.

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

24) The Gulf Stream A) creates a warming effect on Japan and the Aleutians. B) moves northward in the western Atlantic, moderating temperatures in Iceland. C) moves equatorward, warming the California coast. D) moves southward and moderates temperatures in eastern South America.

B) moves northward in the western Atlantic, moderating temperatures in Iceland.

62) The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is associated with A) the horse latitudes. B) the equatorial low-pressure trough. C) the principal midlatitude circulations. D) subtropical high-pressure development.

B) the equatorial low-pressure trough.

46) If you were between 40° and 50° north latitude, and you wanted to stand with the average winds blowing in your face you would stand facing A) north. B) west. C) east. D) south.

B) west.

1) What is the name for solar energy that is intercepted by Earth? A) advection. B) albedo. C) insolation. D) transmission energy.

C) insolation.

56) Monsoonal winds are A) katabatic in nature. B) a form of mountain-valley wind. C) regional wind systems that seasonally vary. D) limited to the Indian subcontinent.

C) regional wind systems that seasonally vary.

33) 6.4°C/1000 m (3.5°F/1000 ft.) refers to A) an environmental lapse rate. B) a latitudinal lapse rate. C) the normal lapse rate. D) a measure of air pressure.

C) the normal lapse rate.

66) If Santa flew from the North Pole due south along the 100° meridian and did not correct his course, he would land A) east of the 100° meridian. B) on the 100° meridian. C) west of the 100° meridian.

C) west of the 100° meridian.

2) The passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water is an example of A) insolation. B) absorption. C) refraction. D) transmission.

D) transmission.

3) Earth's main energy inputs are A) longwave radiation and ultraviolet light. B) near infrared and far infrared (i.e., longwave radiation). C) gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet radiation. D) ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared radiation.

D) ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared radiation.

59) The highest surface air pressure ever recorded occurred when the air was A) very warm. B) very wet. C) very high above the surface of Earth. D) very cold.

D) very cold.

69) The effect of the Coriolis force is __________ in the upper atmosphere because __________. A) diminished; there is less friction B) diminished; the pressure gradient is weaker C) enhanced; there is more friction D) enhanced; the pressure gradient is weaker E) enhanced; there is less friction

E) enhanced; there is less friction

18) The coldest time of the year occurs in December at the time of the winter solstice.

False

19) Latent heat of evaporation (LE) is the dominant expenditure of Earth's entire net radiation budget.

True

20) The reflective quality of a surface is called its albedo and is expressed as a percentage.

True

41) Clouds moderate temperatures producing lower daily maximums and higher nightly minimums.

True

42) Maritime influences tend to decrease both daily and monthly temperature ranges.

True

44) The highest temperatures on Earth are associated with the intense heating in subtropical deserts.

True

45) Air flow is initiated by the A) pressure gradient force. B) centrifugal force. C) Coriolis force. D) friction force.

A) pressure gradient force.

4) Net radiation (NET R) refers to A) the balance of all radiation incoming and outgoing at Earth's surface. B) the amount of insolation coming into the surface. C) the net energy expended for ground heating and cooling. D) the amount of insolation not absorbed at the surface.

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

21) An isoline that connects all points of highest mean temperature on a world map is called A) the thermal equator. B) the highest mean temperature isoline. C) min/max line. D) an isobar. E) the temperature range line.

A) the thermal equator.

60) Which of the following is associated with these names: Sonora, Kalahari, Namib, Atacama? A) major agricultural regions B) subtropical high pressure C) subpolar lows D) world's equatorial rain forests

B) subtropical high pressure

55) The mercury barometer (consisting of mercury in a tube, sealed at one end and open at the other, and inserted in a vessel of mercury), was invented by A) Eratosthenes. B) Sir Isaac Newton. C) Evangelista Torricelli. D) Galileo.

C) Evangelista Torricelli.

50) Forceful northward flowing warm currents in the Northern Hemisphere are the A) California and Peru currents. B) upwelling and downwelling currents. C) Gulf Stream and Kuroshio. D) equatorial countercurrents.

C) Gulf Stream and Kuroshio.

72) On Earth between 30° north latitude and the equator, winds flow from the __________ as they flow out of the __________ pressure zone toward the ITCZ. A) SW; subtropical high B) NW; subtropical high C) NE; subtropical high D) SE; subtropical high E) NE; polar high

C) NE; subtropical high

16) On the average, which of the following is true regarding the distribution of shortwave and longwave energy at Earth's surface by latitude? A) The polar regions are areas of net surpluses. B) More energy is lost than is gained in the equatorial regions. C) The distribution shows an imbalance of net radiation from equator to poles. D) The equatorial zone is a region of net deficits.

C) The distribution shows an imbalance of net radiation from equator to poles.

17) If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would __________ because __________ insolation would be absorbed. A) increase; less B) increase; more C) decrease; less D) decrease; more

C) decrease; less

57) Which of the following primary pressure areas are produced by thermal factors, rather than dynamic factors? A) equatorial low and Bermuda high B) subtropical high and subpolar low C) equatorial low and polar high D) Aleutian low and Icelandic low

C) equatorial low and polar high

27) The cool ocean currents that flow along the west coasts of continents promote A) heavy rainfall. B) thunderstorm development. C) fog. D) all of the above.

C) fog.

68) Particles produced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo __________ the albedo of the atmosphere, and this __________ Earth. A) decreased; warmed B) increased; warmed C) increased; cooled D) decreased; cooled

C) increased; cooled

58) The polar jet is closely associated with A) ITCZ. B) polar high. C) polar front. D) subtropical high.

C) polar front.

22) Kinetic energy refers to A) the energy an object possesses by virtue of its elevation above a surface. B) the energy an object possesses in accordance with the law E = mc2. C) the energy an object possesses by virtue of its motion. D) the energy an object possesses because of its gravitational attraction to other objects.

C) the energy an object possesses by virtue of its motion.

8) Conduction refers to A) strong horizontal movement of air in the atmosphere. B) the behavior of something. C) the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy. D) strong vertical movement of air in the atmosphere.

C) the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy.

25) The land-water heating difference that specifically relates to opaqueness is A) specific heat. B) altitude. C) transparency. D) evaporation.

C) transparency.

9) Which two gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect because of their ability to absorb infrared energy? A) nitrogen and oxygen B) oxygen and hydrogen C) water vapor and carbon dioxide D) ozone and dust

C) water vapor and carbon dioxide

73) Winds are named for the direction in which they are blowing.

False

74) Ocean currents play a relatively small role in regulating climate.

False

75) An area of high pressure circulates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and is called an anticyclone.

False

64) The jet streams help control A) the movement of high and low pressure systems. B) the boundary between cold polar air to the north and warm air to the south. C) the movement of storms. D) all of the above. E) none of the abovejet streams do not affect surface weather phenomena.

D) all of the above.

51) A isoline of equal pressure plotted on a weather map is known as A) an isotherm. B) an equilibrium line. C) the thermal equator. D) an isobar.

D) an isobar.

53) The Coriolis force A) decreases with height above the surface. B) drives air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure. C) is the only force acting on flows of air in the upper troposphere. D) causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.

D) causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.

39) Based on information discussed previously in the course, you know that average temperatures in the troposphere __________ with increasing elevation because the atmosphere is heated __________. A) decrease; from the bottom-up by reflected insolation B) increase; from the top-down by insolation C) increase; from the top-down by energy emitted from the stratosphere D) decrease; from the bottom-up by terrestrial infrared energy

D) decrease; from the bottom-up by terrestrial infrared energy

29) If the temperature at the surface of Earth (at sea level) is 100°F, what is the temperature at 2000 feet if the normal lapse rate is 3.5°F/1000 feet? A) 93°F B) 96.5°F C) 107°F D) 103.5°F

A) 93°F

11) The sky is blue because A) gasses in the atmosphere scatter blue light well. B) dust in the atmosphere changes the black color of space to sky blue. C) light from the Sun is mainly blue. D) light reflects off of the oceans.

A) gasses in the atmosphere scatter blue light well.

26) The annual temperature range map in your text shows that the A) greatest ranges occur in east central Siberia in Russia. B) greatest ranges occur in the subtropics over the oceans. C) lowest ranges occur over continental interiors in the Northern Hemisphere. D) greatest ranges occur over the continental masses in the Southern Hemisphere.

A) greatest ranges occur in east central Siberia in Russia.

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

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

14) When water evaporates, the energy that was used to evaporate the water A) is transferred to the air by advection when the water evaporates. B) is conducted into the underlying layer of water. C) is stored as sensible heat in the evaporated water. D) is stored as latent heat in the evaporated water.

D) is stored as latent heat in the evaporated water.

71) Land-sea breezes are caused by A) the fact that warmer air is denser and settles to the surface of the land. B) cooler air flowing offshore (toward the ocean) in the afternoon. C) the fact that water heats and cools faster than land surfaces. D) onshore (toward the land) air flows that develop in the afternoon.

D) onshore (toward the land) air flows that develop in the afternoon.

28) As reported by the National Weather Service, the heat index A) combines air pressure and temperature in a comfort index. B) gives you an indication of the effect of wind on the skin. C) is generally reported during critical winter months. D) relates temperature and relative humidity.

D) relates temperature and relative humidity.

43) There is as yet no scientific consensus concerning the idea that Earth is warming as a result of human activities.

False