PCB 3043 Chapter 5
Why can rising hot air form clouds and condensation? -As hot air rises, adiabatic heating causes the density of the air to change and clouds to form. -As hot air rises, it cools, and the density and the saturation point go down, causing the water vapor to condense and form clouds and precipitation. -As hot air rises it gains latent heat energy, causing the water vapor to condense. -Hadley cells draw hot, humid air from the tropics to the hot, dry desert areas, causing clouds to form in the tropics.
-As hot air rises, it cools, and the density and the saturation point go down, causing the water vapor to condense and form clouds and precipitation.
In general, when looking at the continental United States, coastal areas have a more moderate climate than areas more toward the interior of the country. What might be a reason for this observation? -Interior areas are at much higher elevation. -Coastal areas lack mountains of any kind. -Coastal upwellings influence the land along all the coasts. -Coastal areas are influenced by warmer air from the oceans.
-Coastal areas are influenced by warmer air from the oceans.
Which factors or processes drive the movement of air in Hadley cells? -Cool, dry air falls towards the surface of the Earth, where increased air pressure causes adiabatic heating, resulting in warm, dry air. -Heated surface water rises into the atmosphere as water vapor, until adiabatic cooling causes it to condense and fall back to the Earth as rain. -Warm air is more dense than cool air, giving it a high capacity for retaining water vapor, which allows air to carry water vapor into the atmosphere. -The Sun's rays hit the Earth at an oblique angle, causing the light to hit a large are of the Earth, which rapidly heats the air and surface waters. -Warm, humid air displaces cool air in the atmosphere and pushes cool air outward from the equator to the north and south.
-Cool, dry air falls towards the surface of the Earth, where increased air pressure causes adiabatic heating, resulting in warm, dry air. -Heated surface water rises into the atmosphere as water vapor, until adiabatic cooling causes it to condense and fall back to the Earth as rain. -Warm, humid air displaces cool air in the atmosphere and pushes cool air outward from the equator to the north and south.
How does density differ from mass? -Density is the mass of an object. -Mass decreases as density increases. -Density is a per-volume metric of mass. -Mass is a per-volume metric of density.
-Density is a per-volume metric of mass.
How does the human production of greenhouse gases contribute to global warming? -Chemical reactions between atmospheric nitrogen and human-manufactured greenhouse gases release heat into the atmosphere. -Human activities have lead to an increase in naturally occurring greenhouse gases and manufactured fluorinated gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons, that trap infrared radiation. -Global warming is a naturally occurring phenomenon brought about by the entrapment of radiation in naturally occurring compounds, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, and human activities do not contribute. -The excess carbon dioxide and methane released by human activities produce holes in the ozone layer, allowing more solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere to heat the earth.
-Human activities have lead to an increase in naturally occurring greenhouse gases and manufactured fluorinated gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons, that trap infrared radiation.
I. The longer path through the atmosphere at the poles decreases solar energy. II. Solar energy is spread over a smaller area the equator. III. There is higher albedo at the equator than at the poles. Why is solar energy input greater near the equator than near the poles? -I and II only -II only -II and III only I, II, and III
-I and II only
The layer of soil with the most decomposing or recently decomposed vegetative material would be the -E layer. -C layer. -O layer. -B layer.
-O layer.
Select the answer that accurately describes why a coastal mountain range has different climates on the windward (wind-facing) and leeward (wind-sheltered) sides. -Ocean winds become cooler as they travel up the windward slope. The humid air becomes warmer as it descends the leeward slope, causing water vapors to condense as rain. -Ocean winds become warmer as they travel up the windward slope. The humid air becomes cooler as it descends the leeward slope, causing water vapors to condense as rain. -Ocean winds become cooler as they travel up the windward slope, causing water vapors to condense as rain, The air is dry when it reaches peak elevations and it becomes warmer as it descends the leeward slope. -Ocean winds become warmer as they travel up the windward slope, causing water vapors to condense as rain. The air is dry when it reaches peak elevations and it becomes cooler as it descends the leewards slope.
-Ocean winds become cooler as they travel up the windward slope, causing water vapors to condense as rain, The air is dry when it reaches peak elevations and it becomes warmer as it descends the leeward slope.
What are the defining features of regression analysis? -Regression analysis is used to test whether the relationship between two variables is negative or positive and how strong the relationship is between the variables. -Regression analysis calculates a mathematical function between two variables but cannot be used for predictive purposes because neither variable is assigned as the independent variable. -Regression analysis calculates the mean, variance, and standard deviation of a data set. -Regression analysis calculates a mathematical function that best fits the data, tests how closely this function matches the data, and is used to predict the value of the dependent variable.
-Regression analysis calculates a mathematical function that best fits the data, tests how closely this function matches the data, and is used to predict the value of the dependent variable.
Why are average temperatures higher near the equator than near the poles? -Solar energy strikes the Earth at an angle at the equator and directly at the poles. -Solar energy strikes the Earth at an angle at the poles and directly at the equator. -Days are longer at the equator, resulting in warmer average temperatures than at the poles. -The equator is located at a higher elevation, so it is closer to the sun than the poles.
-Solar energy strikes the Earth at an angle at the poles and directly at the equator.
How is ice melting in the Arctic Ocean predicted to affect the climate of Europe? -The overall rise of global temperatures would cause an increase in the overall temperature in Europe, regardless of ice melting. -The influx of water would drive an increase in the amount of rain, due to more water being available for evaporation. -Temperatures would fluctuate dramatically throughout the year, due to disrupted buffering effects of newly cooled waters. -The influx of cold water would disrupt ocean currents that circulate warm water around Europe, cooling overall temperatures.
-The influx of cold water would disrupt ocean currents that circulate warm water around Europe, cooling overall temperatures.
In which ways does the movement of the solar equator affect precipitation in the tropic and subtropics? -Both the Tropic of Cancer at 23.5N and the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5S experience rainy seasons in June and December as the solar equator passes through them. -The intensity of the Sun's energy at the solar equator drives evaporation and air movement that increases precipitation and corresponds to the intertropical convergence zone. -The solar equator passes over Earth's rotational equator twice each year and drives one rainy season there in March and another in September. -Areas between 30N and 30S latitudes experience seasonal shifts in rainfall patterns that are driven by the movement of the solar equator.
-The intensity of the Sun's energy at the solar equator drives evaporation and air movement that increases precipitation and corresponds to the intertropical convergence zone. -The solar equator passes over Earth's rotational equator twice each year and drives one rainy season there in March and another in September. -Areas between 30N and 30S latitudes experience seasonal shifts in rainfall patterns that are driven by the movement of the solar equator.
Which is NOT true about the atmospheric convection currents? -They are the circulation patterns around the poles. -They play a role in the location of the Earth's deserts. -They play a role in the location of the Earth's rainforests. -They are the circulations of air between the surface of the Earth and the atmosphere.
-They are the circulation patterns around the poles.
Why do deserts generally exist between 15 and 30 degrees north or south of the equator? -The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) causes dry air to flow south, away from the equator at 15-30 degrees. -Adiabatic cooling draws hot air from 15-30 degrees latitude to the tropics, causing condensation to form over the equator. -The Sun's rays are more direct at 15-30 degrees north and south, causing air to lose water moisture more rapidly that at other latitudes. -Warm moist air rises at the equator, and cool dry air sinks approximately 15-30 degrees latitude away from the equator, creating circular atmospheric currents of air known as Hadley Cells.
-Warm moist air rises at the equator, and cool dry air sinks approximately 15-30 degrees latitude away from the equator, creating circular atmospheric currents of air known as Hadley Cells.
When the water-vapor content of air exceeds the saturation point, which of the following is NOT possible? -snowfall -cloud formation -rainfall -a change in global circulation pattern
-a change in global circulation pattern
Why are latitudes near the equator characterized by a high amount of rainfall? -adiabatic cooling -moisture retention in air masses within the intertropical convergence zone -the divergence of Hadley cells -adiabatic heating
-adiabatic cooling
The equator receives the greatest amount of solar radiation at what time of year? -summer solstice (June) -autumnal equinox (September) -winter solstice (December) -The amount of solar radiation received at the equator is the same all year.
-autumnal equinox (September)
Where is the intertropical convergence zone located? -north of the solar equator in the Northern Hemisphere's summer -along the equator all year round -between 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S depending on the season -between 15 degrees S and the equator depending on the season
-between 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S depending on the season
Which greenhouse gas is produced only by humans? -methane -chlorofluorocarbons -nitrous oxide -carbon dioxide
-chlorofluorocarbons
Which does NOT drive ocean gyres? -the unequal heating of the Earth -the Coriolis effect -atmospheric convection currents -coastal upwelling
-coastal upwelling
Based on your knowledge of the ocean conveyor belt, how might melting ice in the Arctic Ocean affect the climate of Europe? -decreased temperatures in western Europe -increased rain throughout Europe -decreased climate variation in Europe -increased temperatures in western Europe
-decreased temperatures in western Europe
Which feature increases the predictive power of the regression equation? -how close the data points are to the regression, or best fit, line -the mathematical function for the regression, or best fit, line -the slope of the regression, or best fit, line -the value of the independent variable
-how close the data points are to the regression, or best fit, line
Soil with a high cation exchange capacity would be one that -is characterized by a relatively large A horizon. -is relatively fertile. -is relatively young. -has few clay particles within its composition.
-is relatively fertile.
The process by which ground water traveling through the soil dissolves and carries substances to deeper layers of the soil is known as -precipitation. -weathering. -soil deposition. -leaching.
-leaching.
Rain shadows primarily occur -in the Southern Hemisphere. -due to low evaporation in deserts. -near large mountains. -along ocean coasts.
-near large mountains.
Reduced fertility occurring in moist acidic soils is known as -cation exchange. -podsolization. -oxidization. -laterization.
-podsolization.
The albedo effect refers to the -relative reflectivity of the different colors of the Earth's surfaces. -strength of solar radiation determined by seasonality. -depth that light penetrates through the water. -strength of the sunlight energy determined by incident angle.
-relative reflectivity of the different colors of the Earth's surfaces.
Today, it is understood that climate change may have influence over all of the following EXCEPT -precipitation patterns. -soil characteristics in certain locations. -seasonal variation of incoming solar radiation. -ocean currents.
-seasonal variation of incoming solar radiation.
The trade winds are caused largely by -the Coriolis effect. -Earth's varying surface albedo. -Earth's equal heating in the mid latitudes. -greenhouse gases.
-the Coriolis effect.
The greenhouse effect is so termed because -the Earth's atmosphere acts like the glass of a greenhouse. -the Earth's oceans regulate humidity levels like that of a greenhouse. -the Earth's plants produce oxygen as do plants in a greenhouse. -the Earth's plants produce carbon dioxide as do plants in a greenhouse.
-the Earth's atmosphere acts like the glass of a greenhouse.
What drives the circulation of air in a Hadley cell? -the heating of tropical air by the sun -the sinking of cold polar air -the dry desert conditions around 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S -thee fluctuation of air patterns between latitudes of 30 degrees and 60 degrees
-the heating of tropical air by the sun
The greenhouse effect is primarily due to -the reflection of visible light off the atmosphere. -the re-emission of infrared ration by the atmosphere. -the absorption of short-wavelength radiation by the atmosphere. -the absorption of long-wavelength radiation by the Earth.
-the re-emission of infrared ration by the atmosphere.
Land temperatures vary more in the Northern Hemisphere as compared to the Southern Hemisphere due to -there being more human development for a longer period of time in the Souther Hemisphere. -there being more atmospheric water vapor in the Southern Hemisphere. -there being more atmospheric water vapor in the Northern Hemisphere. -there being more human development in the Northern Hemisphere.
-there being more atmospheric water vapor in the Southern Hemisphere.
Areas along the western coasts of continents that are rich in biological productivity due to high nutrient levels are called -gyres. -upwellings. -Hadley cells. -polar cells.
-upwellings.
Ocean currents are caused by a number of factors including unequal heating, wind direction, the Coriolis effect, as well as -varying nitrogen content of the water. -varying heavy-metal content of the water. -varying salt content of the water. -varying oxygen content of the water.
-varying salt content of the water.
Which factors contribute to the motion of ocean gyres? -warming an expansion of tropical ocean waters -variations in wind direction by latitude -effect of Earth's rotation on water and wind -cold water rising from the deep ocean to the surface
-warming an expansion of tropical ocean waters -variations in wind direction by latitude -effect of Earth's rotation on water and wind
Which property of air influences atmospheric convection current? -airborne particulate matter -incoming infrared energy -incoming ultraviolet radiation -water vapor saturation point
-water vapor saturation point
What process causes El Niño-Southern Oscillation events? -increased movement of cold polar water from Antarctica? -higher temperatures in the Pacific near Australia -weak prevailing winds in the Southern Hemisphere -drought conditions in South America
-weak prevailing winds in the Southern Hemisphere
List the sequence of events in an El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
1. Air pressures are low in the western Pacific and high in the eastern Pacific. 2. Equatorial winds push warm water from east to west. 3. Equatorial winds weaken or reverse. 4. Warm water moves towards South America. 5. Cold-water upwelling halts along the South American coast. 6. South American coastline fisheries become less productive. 7. Increased precipitation occurs in South America.
Put the steps of the greenhouse effect in order, beginning with the Sun emitting radiation and ending with Earth's surface experiencing an additional rise in temperature.
1. The Sun emits radiation 2. Solar radiation penetrates the atmosphere. 3. Solar radiation warms the atmosphere and Earth's surface. 4. Earth's surface and greenhouse gases emit infrared radiation. 5. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation released from the Earth system. 6. Greenhouse gases re-emit infrared radiation that came from the Earth system. 7. Some of the infrared radiation re-released from greenhouse gases returns back to Earth's surface. 8. Earth's surface experiences a further temperature increase
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -influenced by climate, parent material, topography, vegetation, and time
Both
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -nutrient leaching of the E horizon, caused by heavy precipitation
Both
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -associated with tropical and subtropical climates
Laterization
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) oxides distributed throughout the E horizon
Laterization
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -little to no humus because of rapid decomposition
Laterization
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -abundant humus due to slow rates of decomposition
Podsolization
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -associated with cool, moist summers and cold, long winters
Podsolization
Podsolization and laterization describe processes of soil formation. Classify the following description of soils according to whether they apply to podsolization, laterization or both. -iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) oxides leached out of the E horizon
Podsolization
