Final Exam METR 100 F16

In addition to a good quality thermometer, list three factors that are needed to obtain an accurate temperature reading.

The thermometer must be covered by something with a high albedo to avoid sw radiation, in a open field to avoid lw radiation absorption from other objects like buildings, and air flow through the covered area to get the temperature of the air only.

Ch 1

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On which summer day would you expect the greatest temperature range? Which would have the smallest range in temperature? Explain your choices. A. Cloudy skies during the day and clear skies at night B. Clear skies during the day and cloudy skies at night C. Clear skies during the day and clear skies at night D. Cloudy skies during the day and cloudy skies at night

A and B would have moderate ranges, while C would have the greatest range, and D would have the lowest range in temperature.

45°F is equal to ________ K. A. 318 B. 140 C. 280.2 D. -228

C. 280.2

How does the phase change of water from liquid to vapor generally influence the air temperature experienced in locations near water? A. They have higher maximum temperatures. B. Water phase change has no specific influence. C. Air temperatures are generally cooler. D. Air temperatures are generally warmer.

C. Air temperatures are generally cooler.

The Montreal Protocol was crafted to mitigate the impact of _______ on ________. A. CFCs; global warming B. CO2; the destruction of stratospheric ozone C. CFCs; the destruction of stratospheric ozone D. CO2; global warming

C. CFCs; the destruction of stratospheric ozone

Which of the following is a good explanation for why dew tends to form in the grass at night? A. More water vapor is present at night. B. The atmosphere cannot form clouds at night. C. Temperatures of the objects near the ground often cool below the dew point at night. D. Pressure is greatest then.

C. Temperatures of the objects near the ground often cool below the dew point at night.

The annual temperature range at most latitudes in the southern hemisphere is much smaller than in the northern hemisphere. Why? A. There is more mountainous area in the southern hemisphere. B. There is less desert area in the southern hemisphere. C. There is more area covered by water in the southern hemisphere. D. Earth is closer to the Sun during southern hemisphere summer. E. Rainfall and cloudiness are greater in the southern hemisphere.

C. There is more area covered by water in the southern hemisphere.

The specific heat of water is high; what does this mean? A. Water has a high density. B. Water absorbs a higher percentage of solar energy than land does. C. Water must gain or lose large amounts of energy when its temperature changes. D. Water will always be warmer than other materials for the same energy gain or loss.

C. Water must gain or lose large amounts of energy when its temperature changes.

The BEST definition of the term climate is: A. the weather occurring in the atmosphere at a specific place and time. B. identical to the definition of meteorology. C. a comprehensive statistical analysis of aggregate weather conditions in a specific place or region. D. average weather over a long period of time.

C. a comprehensive statistical analysis of aggregate weather conditions in a specific place or region.

The process of ________ involves the movement or circulation of a mass or substance. A. radiation B. conduction C. convection

C. convection

Thunder and lightning are associated with the ________ cloud. A. altostratus B. cirrostratus C. cumulonimbus D. nimbostratus E. Cirrus

C. cumulonimbus

The temperature of rising air parcels ________ as they move upward. A. remains constant B. increases C. decreases D. may either increase or decrease

C. decreases

Earth's sky is blue during the day because: A. the sun produces more blue wavelengths that it produces in any other color. B. red wavelengths are lost as solar radiation passes through the vacuum of space. C. the molecules in the atmosphere scatter blue wavelengths of light. D. the atmosphere absorbs blue wavelengths of light.

C. the molecules in the atmosphere scatter blue wavelengths of light.

Atmospheric pressure is caused by: A. Earth's magnetic field. B. the rotation of Earth. C. the weight of the air above. D. solar radiation.

C. the weight of the air above.

Overnight temperatures are warmer when the air is humid because: A. water vapor is good at scattering longwave radiation. B. water vapor and clouds cause the Earth system to have a higher nighttime albedo. C. water vapor is a good absorber of outgoing longwave radiation. D. water vapor is a good absorber of incoming shortwave radiation, causing more energy to be stored during the day.

C. water vapor is a good absorber of outgoing longwave radiation.

Absolute zero equals: A. 0°C. B. 273 K. C. 0°F. D. -273°C. E. -400°F.

D. -273°C.

Consider the isotherm map of the United States shown on the other side. Which of the following is the best realistic estimate of the current temperature at Little Rock? A. 80°F B. 85°F C. 70°F D. 75°F (Picture is on the other side. Only way it works.)

D. 75°F

Which of the following statements is an expression of climate? A. Tornado warnings are in effect for Oklahoma City, OK. B. Big Rapids, MI, recorded six inches of snowfall today. C. Tomorrow's high is forecasted to be 67°F. D. February is the wettest month in Los Angeles, CA, with an average rainfall of 3.92 inches.

D. February is the wettest month in Los Angeles, CA, with an average rainfall of 3.92 inches.

Why does a rising air parcel cool off? A. Its relative humidity is less than 100 percent. B. It is unstable. C. It loses heat to its surroundings. D. It expands. E. It loses energy by radiation.

D. It expands.

How is the daily temperature range affected by the presence of clouds? A. The temperature range is greater when clouds are present. B. The temperature range is not affected by the presence or absence of clouds. C. Temperature range is not affected in a predictable way by the presence of clouds. D. The temperature range is lower when clouds are present.

D. The temperature range is lower when clouds are present.

Relative humidity depends on the water vapor present in the air and the: A. pressure. B. latitude. C. altitude. D. air temperature. E. dew point.

D. air temperature.

Hail is most commonly associated with: A. nimbostratus clouds. B. cirrocumulus clouds. C. cirrus clouds. D. cumulonimbus clouds. E. altostratus clouds.

D. cumulonimbus clouds.

If the air temperature remains constant, evaporating water into the air will ________ the dew point and ________ the relative humidity. A. not change, increase B. decrease, decrease C. increase, decrease D. increase, increase E. decrease, increase

D. increase, increase

Heat: A. is synonymous with temperature. B. is a measure of the average kinetic energy possessed by molecules. C. measures the total kinetic energy in a substance. D. is a transfer of energy from areas with high temperatures to those with low temperatures.

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

The lowest temperatures in the atmosphere exist in the: A. stratosphere. B. thermosphere. C. troposphere. D. mesosphere.

D. mesosphere.

Over the course of this year, the tilt of Earth's polar axis will: A. vary from 0 to 23.5 degrees. B. vary from 0 to 47 degrees. C. remains constant at 90 degrees. D. remain constant at 23.5 degrees.

D. remain constant at 23.5 degrees.

The annual temperature range is quite small near the equator. This is true primarily because: A. low pressure systems are almost never present. B. wind speeds tend to be always slow. C. the earth emits more infrared energy at these locations. D. solar radiation is nearly uniform all year. E. the elevation of most land areas there is near sea level.

D. solar radiation is nearly uniform all year.

If an imbalance occurs between incoming and outgoing energy at the earth's surface: A. temperatures remain steady. B. minimum temperatures occur. C. maximum temperatures occur. D. temperatures either increase or decrease.

D. temperatures either increase or decrease.

The summit of Mt. Everest (8.85 km) is most typically found in the: A. mesosphere. B. thermosphere. C. stratosphere. D. troposphere.

D. troposphere.

Which measure of humidity (relative humidity or dew point) best describes the actual quantity of water vapor in a mass of air?

Dew point (also seen as "dewpoint") temperature is a better "absolute" measure of moisture in the air.

Why do mountainous areas usually receive abundant precipitation?

Due to oragraphic rising parcels of air/water vapor will be forced to rise and condense the water vapor in that parcel meaning more rain depending on which side of the mountain you are on in relation to oceans.

Palm trees in Scotland? Yes, in the 1850s and 1860s, amateur gardeners planted palm trees on the western shore of Scotland. Some of these trees were planted at a latitude of 57∘ north, about the same as the northern portion of Labrador, across the Atlantic in Canada. Surprisingly, these exotic plants flourished. Suggest a possible explanation for how these palms can survive at such a high latitude.

Due to the windward temperature range of the location the area observes a more consistent temperature range that is warmer.

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. reflect the earth's infrared energy. C. reflect solar energy. D. cool the air around them. E. Both A and C

E. Both A and C

With an INCREASE in altitude, air pressure: A. increases at a constant rate. B. decreases at an increasing rate. C. increases at a decreasing rate. D. decreases at a constant rate. E. decreases at a decreasing rate.

E. decreases at a decreasing rate.

During the process of adiabatic cooling, the temperature decreases because the air has: A. lost some of its water vapor. B. emitted infrared radiation. C. been compressed. D. lost heat to the colder air at higher altitudes. E. expanded to a larger volume.

E. expanded to a larger volume.

Which one of the following is the MOST abundant gas in the atmosphere? A. oxygen B. carbon dioxide C. argon D. hydrogen E. nitrogen

E. nitrogen

Which one of the following gases has the greatest effect on weather? A. ozone B. argon C. nitrogen D. oxygen E. water vapor

E. water vapor

List at least three factors that might cause the daily temperature range to vary significantly from place to place and from time to time.

Elevation, location in respect to geography, and latitude in respect to the angle of the sun and time in the day. etc..

Describe the difference between sensible and latent heat.

Latent heat is a change in phase but no change in temperature whereas sensible heat is a change in temperature but no change in phase.

On the June solstice, the sun is up for 21.5 hrs in Fairbanks , AK (latitude 65 degrees N) yet the average high temperature in June is only 70 degrees F. Considering only the Earth-sun relationship (not local factors such as elevation, etc.) why isn't Fairbanks considerably warmer?

The amount of sw energy that gets though the atmosphere is significantly less than towards the tropics because there is more atmosphere in the polar regions that the sw has to travel through to get to the surface because of the angle the surface is to the sun.

Rank the following according to the wavelength of radiant energy each emits, from the shortest wavelength to the longest: A. A light bulb with a filament glowing at 4000 B. A rock at room temperature C. A car engine at 140

A, C, and B

Suppose the albedo of a planet is measured to be 40 percent. This means that: A. 40 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected. B. 60 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected. C. 40 percent of the Sun's energy is absorbed. D. more energy is reflected than absorbed.

A. 40 percent of the Sun's energy is reflected.

You're on an airplane that is near it's crusing altitude (~35,000 ft) and you look out the window and notice that the plane is in cloud. This cloud would NOT be which of the following cloud types: A. Altostratus B. Cirrus C. Cumulonimbus D. Cirrostratus

A. Altostratus

Deserts, with their very dry air, experience cool nighttime temperatures because of a weaker greenhouse effect. A. True B. False

A. True

Fairbanks, Alaska (65°N), has more hours of daylight in June than Miami, Florida (26°N). A. True B. False

A. True

More solar energy is reflected back to space than is absorbed directly by the atmosphere. A. True B. False

A. True

Pure white sunlight contains all of the colors of the visible light spectrum. A. True B. False

A. True

The daily temperature range is greater at higher elevations. A. True B. False

A. True

Thunderstorms are most likely to occur when the atmosphere is absolutely unstable. A. True B. False

A. True

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

A. autumnal equinox

As the temperature of air is reduced to its dew point, which of these is most likely to occur? A. condensation B. freezing C. evaporation D. melting E. supercooling

A. condensation

Frost that forms on cold glass is created by the process of: A. deposition. B. sublimation. C. transpiration. D. freezing.

A. deposition.

The change in the actual air temperature as you go up into the atmosphere is called: A. environmental lapse rate. B. diffusion. C. conversion. D. latent heat. E. convergence.

A. environmental lapse rate.

A ________ is an instrument used to measure humidity. A. hygrometer. B. aquimeter. C. humidimeter. D. hydrometer.

A. hygrometer.

Most of the radiation emitted by the earth and its atmosphere is in the category of: A. infrared. B. x-rays. C. ultraviolet. D. gamma.

A. infrared.

Mountains tend to: A. produce more continental climates for locations downwind of them. B. enhance the effects of nearby oceans for locations that are downwind of them. C. produce effects similar to marine climates. D. moderate seasonal temperatures.

A. produce more continental climates for locations downwind of them.

The basic elements of weather and climate include all of the following, except: A. the chemical composition of the air. B. the temperature of the air. C. the humidity of the air. D. the type and amount of cloudiness. E. the pressure of the air.

A. the chemical composition of the air.

Most of the solar energy absorbed by planet Earth and its atmosphere is absorbed by: A. the earth's surface. B. clouds. C. atmospheric gases. D. atmospheric dust.

A. the earth's surface.

Snow does not immediately melt away on a mild spring day because: A. the high albedo of the snow keeps air temperatures cooler. B. snow is more resistant to melting when it's been sitting on the ground for a long time. C. snow allows more longwave radiation to be absorbed by the air. D. shortwave radiation from the sun is absorbed but not re-radiated as longwave.

A. the high albedo of the snow keeps air temperatures cooler.

The primary cause of Earth's seasons is: A. tilt of Earth's rotation axis, which causes sun angles and daylight length to vary. B. varying distance from the Sun, which changes how much radiation Earth receives from the Sun. C. varying orbital speed. D. changes in atmospheric thickness. E. regular changes in radiation emitted by the Sun.

A. tilt of Earth's rotation axis, which causes sun angles and daylight length to vary.

The primary purpose served by surface ocean currents is to: A. transfer heat and equalize the imbalance of energy between the poles and the equator. B. help dissipate excess energy received at the poles during their periods of 24-hour daylight. C. drive atmospheric wind patterns. D. equalize climate impacts felt on opposite sides of the same continent.

A. transfer heat and equalize the imbalance of energy between the poles and the equator.

In which phase do water molecules have the lowest kinetic energy? A) vapor B) ice C) liquid D) It has the same kinetic energy in all three phases.

B) ice

Assume that a parcel with an initial temperature of 20°C and a dew point temperature of 5°C starts at sea level and travels up the side of a mountain. Assuming that the dew point temperature doesn't change prior to condensation, at what elevation will condensation begin inside the parcel? A. 1000 meters B. 1500 meters C. 3000 meters D. 2500 meters

B. 1500 meters

Using the analemma above, calculate the noon Sun angle for a latitude of 40° N on February 14. Choose the correct answer below. A. 0° B. 37° C. 63° D. 15°

B. 37°

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

B. Earth would not have seasons.

All fogs form over cold surfaces. A. True B. False

B. False

Cloud cover reduces both the daily high and daily low temperatures. A. True B. False

B. False

Heat transfer by convection in the atmosphere is always downward, from air to ground. A. True B. False

B. False

Locations that have the same Sun angle always have very similar temperatures. A. True B. False

B. False

Plants release water to the atmosphere through the process of sublimation. A. True B. False

B. False

Rain shadow deserts typically form on the windward sides of mountains. A. True B. False

B. False

Relative humidity is "relative" to pressure. A. True B. False

B. False

Seasonal temperature variations are due primarily to the changing distance between the earth and the Sun. A. True B. False

B. False

The atmosphere ends abruptly at an altitude of 30 kilometers. A. True B. False

B. False

The oceans cover about 50 percent of the earth's surface. A. True B. False

B. False

The length of daylight gets progressively longer going south from the equator on: A. March 21. B. June 21. C. September 22. D. December 21.

B. June 21.

In the process of scientific inquiry, a theory is best defined as: A. a "best guess" that may explain how something works, but is as yet untested and unproven. B. a hypothesis that has been extensively tested and is generally accepted by the scientific community. C. a final solution to a scientific problem that is proven correct and will never be disproven. D. the initial formulation of an idea based on a few observed facts.

B. a hypothesis that has been extensively tested and is generally accepted by the scientific community.

Locations on Earth which have the largest annual temperature change from summer to winter are often: A. very humid. B. at high latitudes. C. at the equator. D. near an ocean. E. at low altitudes.

B. at high latitudes.

What best explains the "bumps" seen in the seen in the CO2 concentrations? (http://climate.nasa.gov/system/image_uploads/main/graph-co2-1200x720.png) A. a cyclic pattern in the eruption of volcanoes, causing more CO2 to be released each spring B. changes in plant growth that result in less CO2 being absorbed during the dormant season C. higher levels of traffic producing more CO2 during the summer travel season D. greater amounts of CO2 released by the burning of fossil fuels for heat during the winter

B. changes in plant growth that result in less CO2 being absorbed during the dormant season

Saturation is best defined as: A. a mixing ratio of at least 100 g/kg. B. equal numbers of water molecules evaporating from and condensing into a water surface. C. a relative humidity of at least 80% D. the point when water molecules completely stop evaporating from a water surface.

B. equal numbers of water molecules evaporating from and condensing into a water surface.

The two types of heat recognized by meteorologists are: A. sensible heat and conductive heat. B. latent heat and sensible heat. C. kinetic heat and radiative heat. D. latent heat and kinetic heat.

B. latent heat and sensible heat.

The earth receives energy from the Sun by: A. convection. B. radiation. C. conduction. D. scattering.

B. radiation.

The property which primarily controls how much water can be present as a gas is: A. number of particulates present. B. temperature of the air. C. availability of latent heat. D. water's specific heat. E. amount of dry air gases present.

B. temperature of the air.

The stability of an air layer refers to its: A. overall density. B. tendency to either sustain or suppress upward vertical motions. C. pressure as measured at its base. D. albedo.

B. tendency to either sustain or suppress upward vertical motions.

The "weather sphere" is in the: A. stratosphere. B. troposphere. C. thermosphere. D. mesosphere.

B. troposphere.

Summarize the six processes by which water changes from one state of matter to another. For each, indicate whether energy is absorbed or liberated.

Condensation: gas to liquid (energy liberated). Freezing: liquid to solid (energy liberated). Melting: ice to liquid (energy absorbed). Evaporation: liquid to gas (energy absorbed). Deposition: gas to ice (energy liberated). Sublimation: ice to gas (energy absorbed).

Define "greenhouse gas". Give 2 examples of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gas are gasses that are up in the atmosphere that help the earth absorb heat that comes from the sun and hits the earth. If there was no atmosphere created by these gasses, then all the heat would just bounce off of the surfaces and get reflected back to space. some of these gasses are like carbon dioxide O3 Nitrogen and several others. These gases are varied in certain areas. It really depends on the location and climate of the area what kind of gases that you will find. Like for example there is less O3 in the polar regions.

Assume that two locations, one colder than the other, have the same relative humidity (50 percent). At which location will the water-vapor content of the air be higher?

Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air and RH is the ratio of the actual water vapor content of the air to the amount of water vapor needed to reach saturation since warm air can hold more water vapour than the cold air , RH is more in warmer region

Contrast the daily temperature range on an overcast day with that on a cloudless sunny day.

On an overcast day the range will be smaller compared to a cloudless day due to the fact that the earth is receiving less sw radiation absorption but an increase in lw radiation absorption. This will lead to a lower high temperature and a higher low temperature. In contrast to a cloudless day there will be greater sw radiation absorption due to less sw radiation being absorbed in the higher levels of the atmosphere and a decrease in lw radiation absorption due to the decrease in humidity and cloud cover. This means a higher high and a lower low will be observed.

Explain why the highest temperature during the day rarely occurs at noon (the time of peak incoming solar radiation).

The highest temperature typically happens around 3-4 when the lw and sw sum up to be a higher radiation than if it was a noon because of the radiation lag.

What serves as a reservoir (storage facility) for most of Earth's water?

The storage system on earth for water is the oceans. 97% of the earth's water is stored in the oceans.

List the factors that cause land and water to heat and cool differently.

Water has a higher specific heat than land does meaning that it takes more energy to raise the temperature 1 degree and the water has to lose more energy to go down 1 degree. The water systems has a higher extent of mixing than the land does so it is generally a smaller range in temperatures as compared to land. You also have have the fact that light doesn't reach into the aphotic area.

The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place is defined as _______?

Weather

Why does the adiabatic rate of cooling change when condensation begins?

When condensation occurs, latent heat is released by the vapor/water droplets into the surrounding air. This heats up the surrounding air, countering some of the cooling defined by the dry adiabatic rate.

Why do strong winds make apparent temperatures in winter feel lower than the thermometer reading?

When wind moves it carries energy in the form of heat away from warmer objects. As wind speed increases the faster an object will be cooled off increases as well. Increasing winds mean the apparent temperature will decrease in comparison to actual temperature.