Geography Chapter 2

The average albedo of the planet Earth is around: a) 20% b) 30% c) 50% d) 70% e) 80%

b) 30%

Which of the numbered sections on this figure corresponds with the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum?

b) 4

Which of following constant gases accounts for the largest proportion of the air that surrounds us? a) oxygen b) nitrogen c) carbon dioxide d) argon e) water vapor

b) nitrogen

Which of the following locations would receive the most incoming solar radiation at noon during the spring equinox? a) The North Pole b) The Tropic of Cancer c) The Equator d) The Tropic of Capricorn e) The South Pole

c) The Equator

Which of the following surfaces would likely have the highest albedo? a) an area covered by pine forest b) an asphalt parking lot c) an area covered by snow d) an area covered by wet sand e) an area covered by dry sand

c) an area covered by snow

All bodies in space: a) emit light b) orbit the Sun c) emit electromagnetic radiation d) have similar orbits e) attract each other

c) emit electromagnetic radiation

Which of the following is the correct order from greatest volume to least volume of gases in the troposphere? a) oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, neon b) nitrogen, argon, oxygen, neon c) nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide d) oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide e) neon, argon, oxygen, nitrogen

c) nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide

Water vapor usually makes up less than 1% of the Earth's atmosphere.

True

Hot objects radiate less energy than cool objects.

False

Latent heat transfer occurs when two objects of unlike temperature come into contact with each other.

False

Ozone in the stratosphere is harmful as it acts as an air pollutant.

False

Sensible heat loss results in a temperature increase.

False

If the Earth was not tilted on its axis there would be no seasons whatsoever.

Trie

At night there is no incoming solar radiation to Earth, yet the Earth's surface continues to emit outgoing radiation.

True

Radiation can be scattered in multiple directions, which leads to diffuse radiation and diffuse reflection.

True

Surface temperatures are warmer over a surface with a low albedo compared to those above a surface with a high albedo.

True

The presence of clouds can greatly decrease the amount of incoming solar radiation.

True

Insolation is __________. a) incoming solar radiation b) outgoing solar radiation c) outgoing terrestrial radiation d) the name given to the blanket-like effect the Earth's atmosphere has on global warming e) the warming effect of clouds

a) incoming solar radiation

The amount of radiation left over when all incoming and outgoing flows have been tallied is called __________. a) net radiation b) final insolation c) greenhouse radiation d) total radiation e) counter-radiation

a) net radiation

Imbalances in net radiation between low and high latitudes results in: a) poleward heat transfer b) latent heat transfer c) sensible heat transfer d) counterradiation e) the greenhouse effect

a) poleward heat transfer

The ozone layer absorbs which of the following wavelengths of radiation? a) ultraviolet b) microwave c) infrared d) near infrared e) gamma radiation

a) ultraviolet

Carbon dioxide comprises _____________ % of the Earth's lower atmosphere. a) 52% b) 0.0385% c) 3% d) 5% e) 10%

b) 0.0385%

What is the solar constant? a) The amount of solar radiation per unit area received at the Earth's surface b) The amount of solar radiation per unit area received outside the Earth's atmosphere c) The amount of solar radiation per unit area received emitted at the Sun's surface d) The amount of solar radiation per unit area received at the Equator e) The amount of solar radiation per unit area received at the poles

b) The amount of solar radiation per unit area received outside the Earth's atmosphere

Which of the following are the most absorptive gases of longwave infrared radiation? a) oxygen and argon b) carbon dioxide and methane c) nitrogen and ozone d) oxygen and nitrogen e) argon and nitrogen

b) carbon dioxide and methane

The lower solar angles characteristic of high-latitude locations lead to lower levels of insolation because: a) the solar radiation has further to travel and so loses its strength b) the solar radiation is spread over a larger unit area c) the solar radiation is spread over a smaller unit area d) the solar radiation must travel through more volume of atmosphere and so more radiation is reflected back to space e) the high latitude regions receive solar radiation from the cooler part of the Sun

b) the solar radiation is spread over a larger unit area

At what wavelength does the Sun emit most of its energy? a) ultraviolet b) visible c) infrared d) near infrared e) gamma radiation

b) visible

Which of the following is a consequence of the Sun's relatively higher temperature compared to that of the Earth? a) The Earth is heated more by solar longwave radiation than by solar shortwave radiation b) The Earth emits shortwave rather than longwave radiation c) The Earth emits longwave rather than shortwave radiation d) The Earth receives more scattered energy than direct radiant energy e) The Earth receives more direct radiant energy than scattered energy

c) The Earth emits longwave rather than shortwave radiation

Oxygen accounts for approximately ________ % of the air that surrounds us. a) 3.5 b) 7.0 c) 10.5 d) 21.0 e) 50.0

d) 21.0

The emission of longwave radiation by the atmosphere towards the Earth's surface is termed: a) ground heat flow b) latent heat c) direct radiation d) counterradiation e) net radiation

d) counterradiation

Which of the following has the longest wavelength? a) ultraviolet (UV) radiation b) visible light c) X rays d) infrared radiation e) gamma radiation

d) infrared radiation

Ozone forms from the free atoms of which gas? a) nitrogen b) argon c) carbon dioxide d) oxygen e) water vapor

d) oxygen

Approximately what proportion of the total solar radiation received by the Earth is eventually lost to space? a) 27% b) 31% c) 49% d) 69% e) 100%

e) 100%

Which of the following has the shortest wavelength? a) ultraviolet (UV) radiation b) visible light c) X rays d) infrared radiation e) gamma radiation

e) gamma radiation

The term "albedo" refers to: a) the amount of radiation absorbed by a body b) the ability to insulate an object c) the varying degree of seasonal changes in electromagnetic radiation d) the ability to add to the greenhouse effect e) the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected by a body

e) the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected by a body