Climatology Chapter 2

Scattering: A) prevents nearly half of incoming solar radiation from reaching the surface of the earth. B) changes the wavelength of light. C) is responsible for the redness of sunsets. D) is the primary mechanism of heat transfer in the atmosphere.

C) is responsible for the redness of sunsets.

The date that the Sun "sets" at the North Pole is:

September 22

An astronomer tells you that he has discovered a new planet that he calls Planet X. All he knows about Planet X so far is that it has a very dense atmosphere with a temperature approximately 5 times warmer than that of Earth. What hypothesis can you reasonably make regarding the atmosphere of Planet X?

The atmosphere of Planet X has a higher concentration of greenhouse gases than Earth's does.

What is the 'atmospheric window'?

The range of infrared wavelengths that can most easily escape Earth's atmosphere

What contributes the greatest amount of reflection to Earth's total albedo?

clouds

Which of the following is most likely to 'block' the atmospheric window and keep the the lower atmosphere warmer?

clouds

The transfer of heat through matter by molecular collisions is called:

conduction

During a cold winter, snow can provide a useful shelter material for animals and humans because it is a poor ________.

conductor

The process of ________ involves the movement or circulation of a mass or substance.

convection

Thermals and advection are both types of:

convection

The vertical movements of air molecules that result in heat transfer are known as ________, while horizontal movements are known as ________.

convection, advection

Light that is scattered and eventually reaches the earth's surface after having its direction changed is called ________.

diffused light

A 300-meter-thick cloud cover can reflect no more than 14 percent of incoming solar radiation. (t/f)

false

A change in the temperature of an object signifies that its molecules have a stable amount of kinetic energy. (t/f)

false

Advection refers to vertical convection motions. (t/f)

false

As an object cools, the wavelengths of its maximum radiation shorten. (t/f)

false

Heat transfer by convection in the atmosphere is always downward, from air to ground. (t/f)

false

Meteorologically, conduction is the most important mechanism of heat transfer. (t/f)

false

Microwaves have the shortest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. (t/f)

false

Objects that are good absorbers of radiation are usually poor emitters of radiation. (t/f)

false

The equator receives vertical rays from the Sun year-round. (t/f)

false

The primary reason why planet Earth radiates much less energy than the Sun is because of its much smaller size. (t/f)

false

The starting dates of climatological seasons are best defined by the solstices and equinoxes. (t/f)

false

The troposphere warms as a direct result of shortwave energy passing into it. (t/f)

false

Visible light comprises more than half of the total solar energy. (t/f)

false

The absorption of longwave radiation by certain gases in the lower atmosphere is responsible for:

greenhouse effect

Heat:

is a transfer of energy from areas with high temperatures to those with low temperatures.

The intensity of the Sun's rays at a place is determined by the time of year and the ________ of the place.

latitude

Early in January the earth is closer to the Sun than at any other time of year. This position is termed:

perihelion.

During the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, the circle of illumination passes directly through the:

poles

What kind of energy does gravity give to hailstones suspended in a thunderstorm?

potential energy

What energy transfer process is the most important in the transfer of energy from the earth's surface into the atmosphere?

radiation

What is the only form of heat transfer that can operate in a vacuum?

radiation

The longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are:

radio waves

Clouds are most likely to ________ incoming solar radiation.

reflect

The blue color of the sky is due to ________ of the blue wavelengths of light.

scattering

The brightness of the daytime sky is due to ________ of light.

scattering

While sitting outside at a picnic, you and your family start discussing how hot it is outside and plan to take a dip in the lake to cool off. What type of heat have you experienced in order to make this statement?

sensible heat

The primary factor which determines what type and how much radiation an object emits is its:

temperature

Which of the following is a measurement of the average kinetic energy possessed by the atoms or molecules in a substance?

temperature

________ is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms or molecules in a substance.

temperature

If an imbalance occurs between incoming and outgoing energy at the earth's surface:

temperatures wither increase or decrease

The UV Index can tell you:

the approximate time it will take you to sunburn on a given day, based on your skin type.

Earth's sky is blue during the day because:

the molecules in the atmosphere scatter blue wavelengths of light

An analemma is best used to determine:

the solar declination on any day of the year

Radiation is intercepted in the atmosphere and its wavelength is measured at 0.7 micrometers. This radiation was most likely emitted by:

the sun

Which of the following describes the role played by the water cycle in determining the earth's heat budget?

transfers heat from surface to atmosphere

Part of the cause of the greenhouse effect is the near ________ of the atmosphere to solar radiation.

transparency

The atmosphere is highly ________ with respect to solar radiation.

transparent

The atmosphere is largely ________ to terrestrial radiation that has a wavelength between 8 and 12 micrometers.

transparent

All objects emit radiation. (t/f)

true

Although electromagnetic radiation is described with a variety of names and wavelengths, it is all fundamentally similar in behavior. (t/f)

true

Deserts, with their very dry air, experience cool nighttime temperatures because of a weaker greenhouse effect. (t/f)

true

In Australia, the summer solstice occurs a few days before Christmas (December 25). (t/f)

true

Low sun angles are associated with longer atmospheric path lengths. (t/f)

true

More solar energy is reflected back to space than is absorbed directly by the atmosphere. (t/f)

true

Perihelion occurs during the Northern Hemisphere's winter. (t/f)

true

Sun angle is the angular distance from the observer's horizon to the Sun at noon. t/f

true

The Sun 'rises' at the South Pole on September 22. (t/f)

true

The atmosphere is heated chiefly by radiation emitted from the earth's surface. (t/f)

true

The earth's axis is not perpendicular to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. (t/f)

true

The higher the temperature of a radiating body, the shorter the wavelength of maximum radiation. (t/f)

true

Water vapor accounts for the majority of atmospheric warming in the lower troposphere. (t/f)

true

When an object absorbs radiant energy, its temperature increases. (t/f)

true

The type of energy that is responsible for sunburn is:

ultraviolet energy

The wavelengths of energy that can be detected by the human eye are called ________.

visible light

Earth's perihelion:

would not exist if the earth's orbit were circular.

Wavelengths of the visible spectrum are between:

0.4 and 0.7 micrometers.

At 45 degrees S latitude, the angle of the noon Sun is lowest and the length of daylight is shortest on:

June 21

The 90 degrees angle rays strike the Tropic of Cancer on:

June 21

The length of daylight gets progressively longer going south from the equator on:

June 21

The date that the Sun "rises" at the North Pole is:

March 22

On the average, how much of the Sun's energy that is intercepted by the earth system is reflected to space?

30%

In meteorological terminology, the primary difference between convection and advection is: A) Convection represents vertical heat transfer and advection represents horizontal heat transfer. B) Convection represents horizontal heat transfer and advection represents vertical heat transfer. C) Convection represents upper atmosphere heat transfer and advection represents surface heat transfer. D) Convection represents surface heat transfer and advection represents upper atmosphere heat transfer. E) None of the above; the terms are used interchangeably.

A) Convection represents vertical heat transfer and advection represents horizontal heat transfer.

Which of the following would be true if Earth did not have an inclined axis? A) Earth would not have seasons. B) The poles would not have ice caps. C) The equator would have 24 hours of daylight throughout the year. D) The Northern Hemisphere would always be tilted towards the sun.

A) Earth would not have seasons.

Which of the following does NOT happen to solar radiation as it passes through the atmosphere? A) intensification B) scattering C) transmission D) absorption

A) intensification

Which of the following gases does NOT absorb any significant portion of incoming solar radiation? A) nitrogen B) oxygen C) ozone D) water vapor

A) nitrogen

At what time of year is the earth's axis not tilted either toward or away from the Sun? A) autumnal equinox B) winter solstice C) summer solstice D) perihelion E) aphelion

A. autumnal equinox

Flagstaff, AZ is at 35 degrees N latitude. What is the angle of the Sun's noon rays here on March 21? A) 35 degrees B) 55 degrees C) 47 degrees D) 0 degrees

B) 55 degrees

The earth emits terrestrial radiation: A) only over the continents. B) all the time. C) only at night. D) only during winter. E) only during the day.

B) all the time.

Objects with higher temperatures: A) emit only shortwave radiation. B) emit more shortwave radiation than cooler objects do. C) emit most of their energy in the form of longwave energy. D) radiate less total energy than cooler objects radiate.

B) emit more shortwave radiation than cooler objects do.

The wavelengths emitted by the earth are: A) shorter than those emitted by the Sun. B) longer than those emitted by the Sun. C) ultraviolet. D) about the same as those emitted by the Sun except when the Sun is experiencing sunspots.

B) longer than those emitted by the Sun.

Which of the following associations is INCORRECT? A) aphelion — Earth furthest from the sun B) vernal equinox — equal day/equal night C) summer solstice — solar declination at the Tropic of Cancer D) autumnal equinox — shortest day of the year for the Arctic Circle

D) autumnal equinox — shortest day of the year for the Arctic Circle

Crepuscular rays: A) are emitted by objects with very low temperatures. B) are usually tinted blue. C) occur only when no clouds, haze, or dust particles are present in the atmosphere. D) occur when water droplets scatter all wavelengths of sunlight equally.

D) occur when water droplets scatter all wavelengths of sunlight equally.

Which of the following gases is the best absorber of ultraviolet light? A) nitrogen dioxide B) water vapor C) carbon dioxide D) oxygen E) carbon monoxide

D) oxygen

During reflection, A) radiation is separated into several groups of weaker rays that travel in different directions. B) radiation retains the same intensity but bounces back from the surface at a random angle. C) a portion of radiation is absorbed by the surface and the rest bounces off of the surface. D) radiation retains the same intensity and bounces back at the same angle with which it struck the surface.

D) radiation retains the same intensity and bounces back at the same angle with which it struck the surface.

Clouds play an important role in the earth's energy budget because they: A) absorb longwave radiation and re-radiate it towards the surface. B) cool the air around them. C) reflect solar energy. D) reflect the earth's infrared energy. E) Both A and C

E) Both A and C

Most of the solar energy absorbed by planet Earth and its atmosphere is absorbed by:

Earth's surface

The first day of the climatological season of summer is:

June 1

You are building a new home in a climate where there is a persistent snow cover for the 6 coldest months of the year. In order to improve your energy efficiency, should you choose light colored shingles or dark colored shingles? Justify your answer using appropriate terminology.

While students might jump to the answer of dark shingles in order to help the roof absorb sunlight and thus be warmer in the winter, when energy bills are likely to be higher, the key is to remember the persistent snow cover. In an area with persistent winter snow cover, most roofs have an albedo above 90% all winter long because they are covered with snow. This is particularly true of new construction that is completed with good insulation in the attic, preventing heat loss to the roof. Therefore, the shingle color is most likely to play a role in the energy balance of a home during the summer when it is actually visible and interacting with incoming solar radiation. In that case, the lighter shingle is the better choice, as its higher albedo will ensure that the roof reflects a greater percentage of incoming solar radiation and stays cooler as a result.

What would happen on Earth if the Sun were 'turned off' and ceased to provide heat for the Earth?

Winds and ocean currents would stop.

When encountering terrestrial longwave radiation, clouds are most likely to ________ it.

absorb

The atmosphere is heated primarily by:

absorption of Earth's longwave radiation

The atmosphere is strongly ________ with respect to terrestrial radiation.

absorptive

Wind is an example of:

advection

The fraction of the total radiation encountered that is reflected by a surface is called its ________.

albedo