Understanding Climate SE

The climate of a region can best be described by which measure?

the long-term average of temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind

Which of these characteristics of a region most directly affects the region's climate?

the shape of landforms

Which answer best defines the natural greenhouse effect?

the warming of the atmosphere due to the absorption of radiant energy from Earth's surface by atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide and methane

Which statement best explains why scientists study climate?

to assess prevailing weather conditions over the long term

Which statement explains why scientists would most likely search historical weather records when investigating the climate of a region?

to find data on the long-term average weather conditions

Which factor most affects climate?

transfer of energy into and out of the atmosphere

Which of the following activities most likely contributes to global warming?

traveling in gasoline-powered vehicles

Which of the following provides evidence of past climate conditions on Earth?

tree rings, ice cores, and seafloor sediments

Which of the following is a type of climate?

tropical

Which best describes a temperate climate?

warm summers and cool winters

A warm ocean current will most likely make the climate of nearby land

warmer and wetter

Which planet's greenhouse effect keeps it too hot for life as we know it?

Venus

Which statement best explains how El Niño can affect global weather conditions?

Warm surface currents in the Pacific warm the air directly above the ocean, changing atmospheric circulation patterns.

Which best describes the general relationship between the width of tree rings and the average weather conditions during the year the ring formed?

Wider rings form in warmer, wetter years.

How does burning fossil fuels cause the warming of Earth's atmosphere?

by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

The distribution of the world's biomes is determined by

elevation, humidity, and latitude

The increase in the average temperatures of the atmosphere and ocean caused by increased concentration of atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide and methane is called

global warming

How does ozone in the stratosphere protect human health?

by filtering out harmful ultraviolet radiation

Which statement correctly describes one way in which topography can affect climate?

Adiabatic cooling occurs over a mountain chain.

How have anthropogenic (human-caused) emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) most likely influenced average global temperature changes during the last 100 years?

Anthropogenic CO2 emissions have increased average global temperatures.

Which statement best explains how a major volcanic eruption can change climate?

Ash in the atmosphere can block sunlight, decreasing temperatures on Earth for several years.

Which statement best describes the relationship between latitude and climate?

Average yearly temperatures are higher at lower latitudes.

How is climate different from weather?

Climate describes conditions over the long term.

Which statement best describes how proximity to oceans affects climate?

Coastal areas typically have cooler summers and warmer winters than areas far from oceans have.

Why are computer models useful for predicting climate change?

Computer models can analyze huge amounts of data on all of Earth's major systems.

Which statement best explains how scientific computer models can help predict climate change?

Computer models use data on Earth's major systems and human emissions to predict changes in average atmospheric temperatures.

Which statement best explains how La Niña can affect global weather conditions?

Cool surface currents in the Pacific cool the air directly above the ocean, changing atmospheric circulation patterns.

Which statement best explains how human activities have most likely resulted in an increase in average global temperatures over the past 100 years?

Human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

How would a significant rise in average global ocean water temperature most likely affect sea level?

It would increase global sea level.

Does an unusually cold day in summer indicate that a region's climate has changed?

No; climate describes long-term average conditions.

Why are temperatures on Mars too cold for humans to survive there?

The Martian atmosphere is very thin, and it does not have enough greenhouse gases to keep temperatures high enough to support human life.

What happens to solar radiation as it reaches Earth's atmosphere?

Some is reflected, some is absorbed, and some passes through to Earth's surface.

How does ground-level ozone differ from stratospheric ozone?

Stratospheric ozone protects human health, whereas ground-level ozone harms human health.

Which answer best compares the locations of temperate forests to the locations of grasslands?

Temperate forests are generally located in areas of higher humidity.

Which statement best describes why scientists search ice cores to determine whether human activity has caused global warming?

The chemistry of the ice records yearly changes in atmospheric conditions over hundreds of years.

Which statement best describes the greenhouse effect on Venus?

The high level of greenhouse gases keeps atmospheric temperatures too high for life as we know it.

Which statement best describes the general difference between continental climate and temperate climate?

The interiors of continents have hotter summers and colder winters.

Which statement best describes how a cool ocean current will most likely affect the climate of nearby land?

The nearby land will likely be cooler because heat from the atmosphere transfers to the ocean water.

Which statement best describes how conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean change during La Niña?

The surface currents become unusually cool.

Which statement best describes how conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean change during El Niño?

The surface currents become unusually warm.

What do water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and ozone have in common?

They are all greenhouse gases

What do weather and climate have in common?

They both describe conditions in the atmosphere.

Which statement best describes how atmospheric circulation cells affect climate?

They transfer heat energy from lower to higher latitudes.

What is climate?

a collection of data that describe the general weather conditions at a particular location over the long term

The climate of a coastal region can be affected by A) the temperature of nearby ocean water B) the presence of nearby ocean currents C) the presence of a coastal mountain range D) all of the above

all of the above

The term microclimate can be used to describe the climate of A) a cave B) a city C) a valley D) all of the above

all of the above

The transfer of heat energy into and out of the atmosphere affects A) average amounts of precipitation on Earth B) average temperatures on Earth C) average wind speeds in the atmosphere D) all of the above

all of the above

Which answer best describes how replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources would likely affect Earth's climate and atmosphere? A) It would decrease the rate of global warming. B) It would slow the formation of smog over cities. C) It would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. D) all of the above

all of the above

Which answer best explains why scientists and engineers around the world are working to develop alternative energy technologies to replace fossil fuel burning plants and engines? A) Fossil fuel resources are diminishing quickly around the world. B) Gases emitted by burning fossil fuels cause many adverse effects on human health. C) Alternative energy technologies will help mitigate the problem of enhanced global warming. D) all of the above

all of the above

Which of these changes in Earth's system could increase the amount of solar radiation being absorbed by the atmosphere and Earth's surface? A) a decrease in cloud cover B) a decrease in the extent of ice sheets C) an increase in atmospheric temperature D) all of the above

all of the above

Which statement best describes how solar radiation warms the atmosphere? A) The atmosphere directly absorbs some of the solar radiation that reaches Earth. B) Earth's surface reflects some solar radiation back into the atmosphere. C) Earth's surface absorbs some solar radiation and re-radiates it back into the atmosphere. D) all of the above

all of the above

Which statement best describes how the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is most likely affecting Earth? A) It is decreasing the volume of ice worldwide. B) It is increasing average temperatures in the oceans. C) It is increasing average temperatures in the atmosphere. D) all of the above

all of the above

What is the primary cause of Earth's current trend toward global warming?

an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Where are most of the world's hot deserts located?

around 30° N and S latitude, because dry air sinks back to Earth in these regions

What data would most help scientists classify a region into a major climate category?

average monthly precipitation amounts and average monthly temperatures

Why is water vapor considered a greenhouse gas?

because it absorbs radiant energy from Earth's surface

Why might rising ocean temperatures lead to rising sea levels?

because the volume of water expands as temperatures rise

Which of the following affect a region's climate?

latitude, topography, and elevation

Which data would most help a scientist determine the existence of a microclimate in a small area?

long-term average weather conditions of the small area and its surroundings

Which is a greenhouse gas?

methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapor

Human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have most likely been increasing average global temperature changes for about

one hundred years

Which gas protects Earth's surface by filtering out harmful ultraviolet radiation?

ozone

Which activity causes the warming of Earth's atmosphere beyond the natural greenhouse effect?

raising cattle, cutting forests, and burning fossil fuels

Which of the following changes can result from a significant rise in the average temperature of the world's oceans?

rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and changing ocean currents

Which of the following data would be most helpful in assessing the climate of a region?

the average monthly temperature and precipitation over the course of a year

What is a microclimate?

the climate of a small area that differs from its surroundings

What is La Niña ?

the condition in which surface currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are unusually cool

What is El Niño?

the condition in which surface currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are unusually warm

The warming of Earth's atmosphere due to increased concentration of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane is called

the enhanced greenhouse effect