Intro to weather and climate exam #2 on chapters 4-5

As you view the animation, keep in mind that the subsolar point travels between 23.5° north and 23.5° south, for a total of 47° of movement. The region of highest net radiation surplus moves from: A.) 50° N in June to 50° S in December. B.) 66.5° N in June to 66.5° S in December. C.) 23.5° N in June to 23.5° S in December. D.) 50° S in June to 50° N in December. E.) 50° S in March to 50° N in September.

A.) 50° N in June to 50° S in December.

What happens to the energy that the ground absorbs in the form of visible sunlight? A.) It is returned upward in the form of infrared light. B.) It is returned upward in the form of visible light. C.) It makes the ground continually get hotter and hotter.

A.) It is returned upward in the form of infrared light.

On a day with complete cloud cover, what happens to the visible light headed toward Earth? A.) The clouds reflect some of it back to space, and some still reaches the surface. B.) It is absorbed by the clouds, which causes the clouds to heat up. C.) It reaches the surface just as it does on a cloudless day.

A.) The clouds reflect some of it back to space, and some still reaches the surface.

Which of the following statements regarding the range of net radiation values through the year is correct? A.) The net radiation values along the Tropic of Cancer range from -100 W/m2 to 150 W/m2. B.) The Sahara is always a region of net radiation surplus. C.) Antarctica is a region of net radiation surplus values during its summer. D.) The values along the equator range from -50 W/m2 to 50 W/m2. E.) The values along the U.S.-Canadian border range from -150 W/m2 to 25 W/m2.

A.) The net radiation values along the Tropic of Cancer range from -100 W/m2 to 150 W/m2.

If the amount of low, thick stratus cloud cover increases, the Earth's climates would likely ________ due to increased ________. A.) cool; reflectivity B.) cool; absorption C.) warm; reflectivity D.) warm; conduction E.) warm; absorption

A.) cool; reflectivity

The analogy of a greenhouse A.) is a useful, but inaccurate model since atmospheric gases do not trap, but absorb heat. B.) is completely unrelated to our Earth-atmosphere system, and should never have been used to describe global warming. C.) describes exactly how the Earth-atmosphere system operates. D.) incorrectly describes shortwave energy transmission but perfectly encapsulates how longwave terrestrial radiation is trapped. E.) is antiquated and rarely used anymore to describe our Earth-atmosphere system.

A.) is a useful, but inaccurate model since atmospheric gases do not trap, but absorb heat.

Official temperatures are measured using thermometers placed in shelters that are A.) placed a few feet above the ground in louvered white boxes. B.) in black boxes placed in direct sunlight for maximum insolation absorption. C.) at ground level, in direct sunlight. D.) in shade or near buildings or other shelters. E.) non-ventilated and black boxes, placed at ground level.

A.) placed a few feet above the ground in louvered white boxes.

During the day, clouds ________ insolation, lowering daily maximum temperatures; at night, clouds ________ longwave energy, thereby raising minimum nighttime temperatures. A.) reflect; absorb and counterradiate B.) scatter; absorb and counterradiate C.) scatter; refract D.) reflect; scatter E.) absorb; reflect

A.) reflect; absorb and counterradiate

When light passes from one medium to another, resulting in a change in speed and direction of insolation, A.) refraction occurs. B.) transmission happens. C.) albedo increases. D.) it is usually not affected physically. E.) Rayleigh scattering is the predominant effect.

A.) refraction occurs.

The temperature control that includes the heat capacity of a substance is A.) specific heat. B.) cloud cover. C.) movement. D.) evaporation. E.) latitude.

A.) specific heat.

Which of the following statements regarding albedo is correct? A.) Earth's albedo is roughly the same as that of asphalt. B.) Earth's average albedo is 31%. C.) The Moon's albedo is roughly the same as that of fresh snow. D.) The Moon's albedo is roughly the same as that of dry concrete. E.) The Moon's albedo is four times higher than Earth's.

B.) Earth's average albedo is 31%.

Which of the following statements is correct? A.) The subsolar point moves farther than the region of maximum net radiation surplus. B.) The subsolar point does not move as far as the region of maximum net radiation surplus. C.) It is impossible to tell how far the region of maximum net radiation surplus moves over the course of a year. D.) Both the subsolar point and the region of maximum net radiation surplus move the same amount. E.) It is impossible to tell how far the subsolar point moves over the course of a year.

B.) The subsolar point does not move as far as the region of maximum net radiation surplus.

The size of one Kelvin unit is A.) two times smaller than one Celsius degree. B.) the same size as one Celsius degree. C.) the same size as one Fahrenheit degree. D.) twice as large as one Fahrenheit degree. E.) twice as large as one Celsius degree.

B.) the same size as one Celsius degree.

Earth's main energy outputs are A.) microwaves and radio waves. B.) thermal infrared radiation. C.) visible and infrared radiation. D.) gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet radiation. E.) ultraviolet radiation and visible radiation.

B.) thermal infrared radiation.

How does evaporation effect land-water heating differences? A.) Evaporation tends to increase temperatures over land. B.) Evaporation affects the temperature of land surfaces and water bodies the same amount. C.) Evaporation tends to lower temperatures more over water bodies than over land. D.) Evaporation tends to increase the temperature over water. E.) . Evaporation affects land more than ocean surfaces.

C.) Evaporation tends to lower temperatures more over water bodies than over land.

Which of the following is true regarding locations at high elevations? A.) Temperatures at night are greater, though lower in the day, at higher elevations. B.) Higher elevations experience higher temperatures during the day because they are closer to the Sun. C.) Higher elevations experience lower average temperatures during both day and night. D.) The density of air increases with increasing elevation creating overall warmer temperatures. E.) Temperatures increase with altitude and, therefore, are higher at higher elevations.

C.) Higher elevations experience lower average temperatures during both day and night.

The greenhouse effect raises Earth's surface temperature (from what it would be otherwise) because the infrared light radiated by Earth's surface __________. A.) travels directly out to space B.) becomes permanently trapped by greenhouse gases C.) is temporarily absorbed by greenhouse gases and then reemitted in random directions

C.) is temporarily absorbed by greenhouse gases and then reemitted in random directions

What is the uninterrupted passage of insolation through the atmosphere or water? A.) reflection B.) conduction C.) transmission D.) convection E.) scattering

C.) transmission

Where do you find the greatest net radiation deficit in June 2003? A.) 50 W/m2 in Arizona B.) 350 W/m2 in northern Africa C.) 200 W/m2 in the northern Pacific Ocean D.) -200 W/m2 in southern New Zealand E.) -150 W/m2 in Australia at the Tropic of Cancer

D.) -200 W/m2 in southern New Zealand

What is the highest net radiation surplus that you can find in June 2003? A.) 350 W/m2 in northern Africa B.) 50 W/m2 in Arizona C.) -200 W/m2 in southern New Zealand D.) 200 W/m2 in the northern Pacific Ocean

D.) 200 W/m2 in the northern Pacific Ocean

On a cloudless day, what happens to most of the visible light headed toward Earth? A.) It is reflected by Earth's atmosphere. B.) It is absorbed and reemitted by gases in Earth's atmosphere. C.) It is completely reflected by Earth's surface. D.) It reaches Earth's surface, where some is reflected and some is absorbed.

D.) It reaches Earth's surface, where some is reflected and some is absorbed.

Which of the following regions would have the greatest range of temperatures? A.) New Orleans, Louisiana B.) Seattle, Washington C.) Honolulu, Hawaii D.) Siberia, Russia E.) Orlando, Florida

D.) Siberia, Russia

Which of the following is correctly matched? A.) radiation - assimilation and conversion of B.) advection - strongly vertical mixing C.) convection - strongly horizontal mixing D.) conduction - molecule-to-molecule heat transfer E.) latent heat - energy that can be sensed

D.) conduction - molecule-to-molecule heat transfer

Incoming radiation that reaches Earth's surface after scattering is A.) indirect insolation. B.) direct insolation. C.) reflective radiation. D.) diffuse radiation. E.) direct radiation.

D.) diffuse radiation.

Lines on a temperature map connecting points of equal temperature is called an A.) isohaline. B.) isobar. C.) isohyet. D.) isotherm. E.) isobaths.

D.) isotherm

Which of the following is a nonradiative transfer of longwave radiation to the atmosphere? A.) stratospheric ozone radiation B.) conduction from the surface C.) the greenhouse effect D.) latent heat transfer E.) longwave radiation from Earth's surface

D.) latent heat transfer

Which of the following is true of the albedo of water? A.) It is less for frozen water than for liquid water. B.) It is greatest when the Sun is low in the sky. C.) It never changes-albedos are constant values. D.) It is greatest for rough waters. E.) It changes, depending upon the Sun angle.

E.) It changes, depending upon the Sun angle.

Sensible heat transfer (H) refers to energy transfer between the air and the surface by A.) latent heat of evaporation. B.) ground heating. C.) evaporation of water. D.) reflection of insolation. E.) convection and conduction.

E.) convection and conduction.

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

E.) fresh snow