geography 300 exam

Which sphere includes the layer of gasses surrounding Earth?

atmosphere

Which sphere includes the hard, rocky, mineral portion of Earth?

lithosphere

As a general rule, which locations have the higher average temperatures?

lower latitude

Which type of system is open to inputs and outputs of both matter and energy?

open system

How many degrees would Earth rotate in 2 hours?

30°

Over the last 130 years, approximately how much has the global average temperature changed?

+1.0C

Which of the following represents a very cold day which might actually occur in Sacramento?

0°C

As a scientist, you gather the following data for a radiation budget of a parking lot surface: 50 units incoming shortwave, 25 units outgoing shortwave (reflected), 40 units incoming longwave, 50 units outgoing longwave. Which is the correct value for net radiation?

15 units surplus

What time and date was it in California when it was 23:00 UTC on Dec 25, 2009?

15:00 PST on Dec 25, 2009

Which map scale is considered largest and would show the most detail of any particular place? For instance, at which scale would Sacramento appear largest and show the most detail?

1:10,000

Which map scale is considered smallest and would show the least detail of any particular place? For instance, at which scale would the State of California appear smallest and show the least detail?

1:26,000,000

Where might the direct ray of the sun be on about June 28th of any year?

21°North latitude and moving south

Where might the direct ray of the sun be on about December 15th of any year?

21°South latitude and moving south

What is the approximate noontime (maximum) sun angle in Sacramento on the December Solstice? (Hint: Sac's latitude is approx. 39.5°N)

27°

If it is 5pm Monday in New York City, what time is it in Sacramento?

2pm Monday

Which location on the geographic grid actually exists in the real world?

35°N Lat. & 122°W Long/ 87°S Lat. & 70°W Long.

How many hours does it take Earth to rotate exactly 60° on its axis?

4 hours

Which of the following represents a hot day which might actually occur in Sacramento?

40°C

You are at an elevation of 4000 feet and the temperature is 60°F. Based on the normal lapse rate of 3.5F°/1000ft, what should the temperature be when you arrive at an elevation of 9,000 feet?

42.5°F

How many degrees would Earth rotate in 3 hours?

45°

As a scientist, you gather the following data for a radiation budget of a parking lot surface: 50 units incoming shortwave, 25 units outgoing shortwave (reflected), 40 units incoming longwave, 50 units outgoing longwave. Which is the albedo?

50%

Which location is likely to have the lowest annual temperature ranges?

5° latitude and near an ocean

You are at an elevation of 2000 feet and the temperature is 80°F. Based on the normal lapse rate of 3.5F°/1000ft, what should the temperature be when you arrive at an elevation of 4,000 feet?

73°F

Which location is likely to have the highest annual temperature ranges?

75° latitude and far from an ocean

As a scientist, you gather the following data for a radiation budget of a parking lot surface: 125 units incoming shortwave, 25 units outgoing shortwave (reflected), 85 units incoming longwave, 105 units outgoing longwave. Which is the correct value for net radiation?

80 units surplus

If it is 5pm Monday in Sacramento, what time is it in New York City?

8pm Monday

What is the noontime (maximum) sun angle at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°South Latitude) on the December Solstice?

90°

Generally speaking, maritime locations have <_____________> summers and <____________> winters when compared to continental locations at the same latitude. (Choose the pair of words that fit best in the blanks.)

<cooler>...<warmer>

During cooler periods sea level falls due to <____________> of glaciers and <___________> of ocean water. (Choose the pair of words that fit best in the blanks.)

<growth>...< contraction >

On the June Solstice Sacramento is receiving <__________> sun angles and <_________> hours of sunshine per day than at any other time during the year. (Which words complete the sentence accurately?)

<higher> ...... <higher>

According to the heat index, humans will perceive the air temperature to feel <____________> than it actually is when the relative humidity is extremely <_______________>. (Choose the pair of words that best fit the blanks.)

<higher>...<high>

On the December Solstice Sacramento is receiving <__________> sun angles and <_________> hours of sunshine per day than at any other time during the year. (Which words complete the sentence accurately?)

<lower> ...... <lower>

During warm periods sea level rises due to <____________> of glaciers and <___________> of ocean water. (Choose the pair of words that fit best in the blanks.)

<melting>...<expansion>

Which of these surfaces would likely have the lowest albedo?

Blacktop/asphalt parking lot

Due to the rotation of the Earth, solar noon seems to migrate (move) across the globe during the day. Which direction does it move?

East to West

Due to the rotation of the Earth, the "Direct Ray" or "Vertical Ray" of the sun seems to migrate (move) across the globe during the day. Which direction does it move?

East to West

Summer occurs in the Northern Hemisphere because Earth is passing closer to the Sun than at any other time during the year.

False

Winter occurs in the Northern Hemisphere because Earth is farthest from the Sun than at any other time during the year.

False

HYPOTHETICALLY, if the declination is at 20° North, but then a few days later it is at 22° North, what event will occur soon?

June Solstice

If you travel directly north from the South Pole, your:

Latitude will decrease.

If you travel directly south from the North Pole, your:

Latitude will decrease.

If you travel directly north from the Equator, your:

Latitude will increase

If you travel directly south from the Equator, your:

Latitude will increase.

When you begin traveling directly east from the Prime Meridian, your:

Longitude will increase.

When you begin traveling directly west from the Prime Meridian, your:

Longitude will increase.

Why does a low sun angle provide less solar energy than a high sun angle?

Low sun angles are diffused and highly interfered with by the atmosphere.

Assume that you are traveling across the Pacific Ocean from Australia to Los Angeles. If it is Tuesday January 21 JUST BEFORE I cross the international date line, what will the date be JUST AFTER I cross the international date line?

Monday January 20

Which of these surfaces would likely have the highest albedo?

Snow covered field

Which of the following would be an example of Poleward Heat Transport?

a warm ocean current flowing from 10° South latitude toward 70° South latitude

Which of the following could be approximately one meter tall?

a young child

Which type of system is closed to inputs and outputs of matter but open to inputs and outputs of energy?

closed system

Which of the following reflects the most shortwave radiation back toward space?

clouds

By what specific process does Earth's surface transfer heat energy to the air?

conduction

Generally speaking, clear skies during a 24 hour period (compared to cloudy skies) will result in:

higher temp ranges

Generally speaking, cloudy skies during a 24 hour period (compared to clear skies) will result in:

low temperature ranges

The Prime Meridian is a:

meridian of longitude

Picture a forest teaming with life on the slopes of a volcano. Now consider that every few thousand years the forest is wiped out by an eruption, with the forest taking many decades to grow back. What type of equilibrium is this system in? Group of answer choices

metastable

The Equator is a:

parallel of latitude

A Physical Geographer is LEAST likely to study:

politics, religion

The deepest parts of the ocean are consistently dark, cold, and quiet, experiencing very little change over time. What type of equilibrium are they in?

steady state

A Physical Geographer is MOST likely to study:

the processes shaping Earth's landforms