Quiz 4, WX 201, Quiz 3 WX 201, Quiz 2 WX 201, Quiz 1 WX 201
On what date is the Sun the most intense in the Northern Hemisphere? - July 15 - December 21 - June 21 - March 20 - September 22
June 21
If Earth did not have an atmosphere, the sky would appear ____ during the day. - violet - black - red - white - blue
black
Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air? - mesosphere - ionosphere - exosphere - stratosphere - troposphere
troposphere
At which temperature would Earth be radiating energy at the greatest rate or intensity? - 105°F - 60°F - -5°F - -40°F - 32°F
105°F
The combined albedo of Earth and the atmosphere is approximately ____ percent. - 10 - 50 - 4 - 90 - 30
30
On average, what percentage of solar energy striking the outer atmosphere eventually reaches Earth's surface? - 50 percent - 5 percent - 30 percent - 15 percent - 70 percent
50 percent
Which statement relates to weather rather than climate? - The foggiest month of the year is December. - It is cloudy and snowing outside. - The lowest temperature ever recorded in Frozenlake, Minnesota is -57°F. - I like the warm, humid summers. - The average temperature for the month of January is 28°F.
It is cloudy and snowing outside.
Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere? - dew point - Moisture - Temperature - Wind - Pressure
Pressure
Which statement is true about rainbows? - To see a rainbow at sunrise, you should look toward the west. - Rainbows form when rays from the Sun are scattered. - The brightest rainbows are seen around noon. - The rainbow will be seen in the east during sunrise. - The rainbow will be seen in the west when the Sun is setting.
To see a rainbow at sunrise, you should look toward the west.
The Sun radiates almost half of its energy as visible light. - False - True
True
As sunlight enters the atmosphere, the shorter visible wavelengths of violet, blue, and green are scattered more by atmospheric gases than are the longer wavelengths of yellow, orange, and especially red, which is why the sky appears blue. - False - True
True
When the atmosphere becomes loaded with particles, only the longest red wavelengths are able to penetrate the atmosphere, so we see a red Sun. - False - True
True
Without the atmosphere, there would be no refraction or scattering, and the Sun would rise later and set earlier than it now does. - False - True
True
Horizontal transport by the wind is called - conduction - radiation - latent heat. - reflection - advection
advection
Twilight is the name given to the time ____, when the sky remains illuminated and allows outdoor activities without artificial lighting. - after sunset and immediately after sunrise - after sunset and immediately before sunrise - before sunset and immediately before sunrise - around sunset - before sunset and immediately after sunrise
after sunset and immediately before sunrise
Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of - air density. - air temperature. - wind speed. - chemical composition. - air pressure.
air temperature.
In a hilly region, the best place to plant crops that are sensitive to low temperatures is - on the valley floor. - near streams and rivers. - along the hillsides. - on the top of the highest hill. - in any dry location.
along the hillsides.
The temperature of a rising air parcel - always cools due to expansion. - always cools due to compression. - always warms due to compression. - always warms due to expansion. - remains constant.
always cools due to expansion.
The temperature of a rising air parcel - always warms due to expansion. - remains constant. - always warms due to compression. - always cools due to compression. - always cools due to expansion.
always cools due to expansion.
Water vapor molecules - can exist in the frozen state. - are invisible. - color the sky blue. - are very small drops of liquid water. - make clouds white.
are invisible.
The daily minimum temperature is usually observed - several hours before sunrise. - around sunrise. - several hours after sunrise. - near midnight. - at the time of sunset.
around sunrise.
Because air temperatures normally decrease with increasing height, trees found on the cooler north-facing side of mountains are often those that usually grow - near the Arctic circle. - in arid climates. - near the equator. - at lower elevations. - at higher elevations.
at higher elevations.
The greatest variation in daily temperature usually occurs - at the top of a high-rise apartment complex. - about 5 feet above the ground. - on top of a mountain. - at the ground. - at the level where thermals stop rising.
at the ground.
Earth's radiative equilibrium temperature is the - average temperature at which Earth is absorbing solar radiation and emitting infrared radiation at equal rates. - average temperature at which Earth is radiating energy at maximum intensity. - average temperature Earth must maintain to prevent oceans from freezing solid. - temperature that humans and animals can survive in on Earth. - temperature at which rates of evaporation and condensation on Earth are in balance.
average temperature at which Earth is absorbing solar radiation and emitting infrared radiation at equal rates.
Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are a - cloudy, calm, moist, winter night. - clear, calm, moist, summer night. - clear, calm, dry, winter night. - cloudy, windy, moist, summer night. - clear, windy, dry, summer night.
clear, calm, dry, winter night.
One would expect the lowest temperatures to be found next to the ground on a - clear, damp, windy night. - clear, dry, windy night. - rainy night. - cloudy night. - clear, dry, calm night.
clear, dry, calm night.
In clear weather, the air next to the ground is usually ____ than the air above during the night and ____ than the air above during the day. - colder; warmer - colder; less humid - warmer; colder - hotter; more humid - warmer; warmer
colder; warmer
Sinking air warms as a result of - expansion - friction - conduction - condensation - compression
compression
A vertical exchange of heat is called - convection - compression - condensation - expansion - evaporation.
convection
At sunset in the middle latitudes, look for a rainbow toward the ____. - east - northwest - south - west - southwest
east
Middle latitude cyclonic storms are also known as - anticyclones. - extratropical cyclones. - tornadoes. - blizzards. - hurricanes.
extratropical cyclones.
Water vapor can best be described as a - gas. - cloud droplet. - liquid. - snowflake. - rain drop.
gas
Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5°with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. If the amount of tilt were increased to 40°, we would expect in middle latitudes - hotter summers and colder winters than at present. - cooler summers and milder winters than at present. - hotter summers and milder winters than at present. - no appreciable change from present conditions. - cooler summers and colder winters than at present.
hotter summers and colder winters than at present.
In a temperature inversion, air temperature - decreases with increasing height. - is warmer during winter than during summer. - increases with increasing height. - is warmer at night than during the day. - remains constant with increasing height.
increases with increasing height.
Most of the radiation emitted by a human body is in the form of - ultraviolet radiation and is invisible. - infrared radiation and is invisible. - humans do not emit electromagnetic radiation. - visible radiation but is too weak to be visible. - the whole electromagnetic spectrum.
infrared radiation and is invisible.
The atmospheric greenhouse effect is produced mainly by the absorption and re-emission of - infrared radiation by the atmosphere. - visible light by the ground. - ultraviolet radiation by the atmosphere. - visible light by clouds. - visible light by the atmosphere.
infrared radiation by the atmosphere.
Earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at - radio wavelengths. - X-ray wavelengths. - ultraviolet wavelengths. - visible wavelengths. - infrared wavelengths.
infrared wavelengths.
Typically, water vapor occupies about what percentage of the air's volume near Earth's surface? - less than 4 percent - less than 1 percent - about 78 percent - about 21 percent - close to 10 percent
less than 4 percent
Longer days are generally associated with - large daily temperature variations. - colder daily temperatures. - less insolation. - more insolation. - more heating degree days.
more insolation.
At what time during a 24-hour day would a radiation temperature inversion best be developed? - near sunrise - at noon - between 3 and 5 p.m. when the air temperature reaches a maximum - at sunset - toward the end of the morning
near sunrise
The most abundant gas in the stratosphere is - ozone (O3). - nitrogen (N2). - carbon dioxide (CO2). - oxygen (O2). - chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
nitrogen (N2).
The most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere by volume are - oxygen and water vapor. - oxygen and helium. - carbon dioxide and nitrogen. - nitrogen and oxygen. - oxygen and ozone.
nitrogen and oxygen.
In a volume of air near Earth's surface today, ____ occupies 78 percent and ____ nearly 21 percent. - nitrogen; oxygen - hydrogen; helium - nitrogen; water vapor - oxygen; hydrogen - hydrogen; oxygen
nitrogen; oxygen
Over Earth as a whole, one would expect to observe the smallest variation in temperature from day to day and from month to month - in the center of a large land mass. - at the North Pole. - along the Pacific coast of North America. - high in the mountains in the middle of a continent. - on a small island near the equator.
on a small island near the equator.
At any given time, ____ of Earth is illuminated by the Sun. - one-fourth - one-half - one-third - two-thirds - three quarters
one-half
The most important reason why summers in the Southern Hemisphere are not warmer than summers in the Northern Hemisphere is that - Earth is farther from the Sun in July. - Earth is closer to the Sun in January. - over 80 percent of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water. - the Sun's energy is less intense in the Southern Hemisphere. - ice from Antarctica prevents it from getting very hot.
over 80 percent of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water.
The gas that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere is - chlorofluorocarbons. - nitrous oxide. - carbon dioxide. - ozone. - water vapor.
ozone
Most human-made impurities found in the atmosphere present a health and environmental hazard. These are called - dust. - aerosols. - pollutants. - particles. - nutrients.
pollutants
On a clear, calm night, the ground and air above cool mainly by which process? - conduction - convection - reflection - evaporation - radiation
radiation
A ____ can only be seen when the Sun is to your back and it is raining in front of you. - Halo - sundog - rainbow - sun pillar - corona
rainbow
What color would the sky be if air molecules selectively scattered only the longest wavelengths of visible light? - violet - blue - red - white - black
red
A star that is cooler than our Sun appears ____. - brighter - whiter - redder - more violet - bluer
redder
Sunlight that bounces off a surface is said to be ____ from the surface. - absorbed - emitted - radiated - conducted - reflected
reflected
When we look at a cloud, it appears white because countless cloud droplets ____. - reflect all wavelengths of visible sunlight into space - scatter all wavelengths of visible sunlight toward Earth - scatter all wavelengths of visible sunlight away from Earth - scatter all wavelengths of visible sunlight in all directions - absorb all wavelengths of visible sunlight
scatter all wavelengths of visible sunlight in all directions
Another name for diffuse light is ____. - refracted light - diffracted light - scattered light - transmitted light - dispersion of light
scattered light
Red sunsets, blue moons, and milky-white skies are mainly the result of ____. - refraction - scattering - dispersion - reflection - diffraction
scattering
When stars appear to twinkle or flicker, it is a condition known as ____. - fluctuation - scintillation - iridescence - shimmering - glorification
scintillation
The length of twilight depends on ______. - season and latitude - season and longitude - just the latitude - just the longitude - just the seasons
season and latitude
The blue color of the sky is due to ____. - transmission of visible light through the ozone layer in Earth's stratosphere - selective scattering of visible light by air molecules - absorption of short wavelengths by air molecules - the filtering effect of water vapor in Earth's atmosphere - reflection of sunlight off Earth's oceans
selective scattering of visible light by air molecules
A star much hotter than our Sun radiates more energy at ____. - shorter wavelengths and appears redder - longer wavelengths and appears redder - shorter wavelengths and appears bluer - about the same wavelengths and appears whiter - longer wavelengths and appears bluer
shorter wavelengths and appears bluer
Because of atmospheric refraction, a star seen near Earth's horizon is actually ____. - slightly lower than it appears - slightly higher than it appears - much dimmer than it appears - much further away than it appears - slightly brighter than it appears
slightly lower than it appears
For maximum winter warmth, in the Northern Hemisphere, large windows in a house should face - north. - south. - west. - any direction. - east.
south
In the northern hemisphere, a solar panel should be placed on the side of the roof facing - west. - east. - south. - north. - any of these directions.
south
If tonight's temperature is going to drop into the middle 20s (°F) and a fairly stiff wind is predicted, probably the best way to protect an orchard against a hard freeze is to (assume that cost is not a factor) - put orchard heaters to work. - pray for clouds. - use helicopters. - sprinkle the crops with water. - use wind machines.
sprinkle the crops with water.
Which of the following is the poorest conductor of heat? - water - ice - snow - still air - soil
still air
Volcanic eruptions rich in ____ can produce red sunsets. - nitrogen - carbon monoxide - sulfur - water vapor - methane
sulfur
Which measurement indicates the average speed of air molecules? - pressure - gravity - heat - density - temperature
temperature
What determines the type (wavelength) and amount of radiation that an object emits? - specific heat - density - latent heat - temperature - thermal conductivity
temperature
Our seasons are caused by - the angle at which sunlight reaches Earth. - the proximity to the poles. - the constellation of Earth, Sun, and Moon. - differences in altitude. - the amount of cloud cover during the different parts of the year.
the angle at which sunlight reaches Earth.
If the amount of energy lost by Earth to space each year were not approximately equal to that received, - the length of the year would change. - the atmosphere's average temperature would change. - the mass of the atmosphere would change. - the Sun's output would change. - nothing would change.
the atmosphere's average temperature would change.
The word "weather" is defined as - the climate averaged over a year's time. - the average of the weather elements. - the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. - any type of falling precipitation. - the climate of a region.
the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.
Wind direction is - always directly from high toward low pressure. - the direction from which the wind is blowing. - always directly from low toward high pressure. - the direction to which the wind is blowing. - the vertical displacement of air.
the direction from which the wind is blowing.
If the setting Sun appears red, you may conclude that ____. - you will not be able to see the Moon that night - the next day's weather will be stormy - the shortest wavelengths of visible light are striking your eyes - the longest wavelengths of visible light are striking your eyes - the Sun's surface temperature has cooled somewhat at the end of the day
the longest wavelengths of visible light are striking your eyes
Air molecules selectively scatter visible light because ____. - they are unable to absorb electromagnetic waves - they are the same size as the wavelength of visible light - they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light - they are much larger than the wavelength of visible light - the electrons that orbit around the nucleus of atoms have a blue color
they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light
The atmospheric layer in which we live is called the - troposphere. - exosphere. - ionosphere. - stratosphere. - thermosphere.
troposphere
Secondary rainbows occur when ____. - the Sun disappears behind a cloud and then reappears. - light refracts through a cloud of large raindrops. - light refracts through ice crystals. - a single internal reflection of light occurs in raindrops. - two internal reflections of light occur in raindrops.
two internal reflections of light occur in raindrops.
What type of energy has a wavelength shorter than that of violet light? - infrared radiation - blue visible radiation - ultraviolet radiation - red visible radiation - green visible radiation
ultraviolet radiation
The proper order from shortest to longest wavelength is - ultraviolet, visible, and infrared. - visible, infrared, and ultraviolet. - visible, ultraviolet, and infrared. - infrared, visible, and ultraviolet.
ultraviolet, visible, and infrared.
The Sun emits its greatest intensity of radiation in the - x-ray portion of the spectrum. - infrared portion of the spectrum. - visible portion of the spectrum. - ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. - gamma ray portion of the spectrum.
visible portion of the spectrum.
The only substance near Earth's surface that is found naturally in the current atmosphere as a solid, liquid, and a gas is - carbon. - ozone. - carbon dioxide. - water. - molecular oxygen.
water
Which of the following is considered a variable gas in Earth's atmosphere? - argon - helium - oxygen - water vapor - nitrogen
water vapor
The most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's current atmosphere is - methane (CH4). - water vapor (H2O). - nitrous oxide (N2O). - chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). - carbon dioxide (CO2).
water vapor (H2O).
Which gases are primarily responsible for the atmospheric greenhouse effect in Earth's atmosphere? - nitrogen and carbon dioxide - water vapor and carbon dioxide - oxygen and nitrogen - ozone and oxygen - nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons.
water vapor and carbon dioxide
The sky will begin to turn milky white ____. - when the concentration of ozone begins to reach dangerous levels - when the relative humidity decreases below about ten percent - when small particles such as dust and salt become suspended in the air - on an oppressively hot day of the year - when an inferior mirage occurs
when small particles such as dust and salt become suspended in the air
In the Northern Hemisphere, which day has the fewest hours of daylight? - vernal equinox - winter solstice - summer solstice - autumnal equinox - spring solstice
winter solstice
The average surface temperature on Earth is - 57 degrees Fahrenheit. - 50 degrees Fahrenheit. - 61 degrees Fahrenheit. - 55 degrees Fahrenheit. - 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Which latitude below would experience the fewest hours of daylight on December 22nd? - 60°N - 0°(Equator) - 20°N - 60°S - 20°S
60°N
Which of the following latitudes is closer to Earth's axis? - 0°N - 15°N - 90°N - 60°N - 40°N
90°N
When it is January and winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is ____ and ____ in the Southern Hemisphere. - March; spring - January; summer - July; winter - July; summer - January; winter
January; summer
How do red and blue light differ? - The wavelength of blue light is longer. - Red and blue light have different directions of propagation. - Red light has a higher intensity. - Blue light has a higher speed of propagation. - The wavelength of red light is longer.
The wavelength of red light is longer.
White light is perceived when ____ strike the cones of the eye with nearly equal intensity. - a single long wavelength - a single short wavelength - all visible wavelengths - all short wavelengths - all long wavelengths
all visible wavelengths
The processes of condensation and freezing - do not involve energy transport. - both release sensible heat into the environment. - do not affect the temperature of their surroundings. - are both negative processes. - both absorb sensible heat from the environment.
both release sensible heat into the environment.
Although the polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive by insolation in the course of a year, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year by the - circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans. - the insulating properties of snow. - conduction of heat through the interior of Earth. - release of latent heat to the atmosphere when polar ice melts. - concentration of Earth's magnetic field lines at the poles.
circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans.
During the afternoon, the greatest temperature difference between surface air and the air several meters above occurs on a - clear, calm afternoon. - cloudy, windy afternoon. - cloudy, calm afternoon. - cold, windy afternoon. - clear, windy afternoon.
clear, calm afternoon.
At night, when the weather is extremely cold and dry, atmospheric pressure in the trophosphere - increases with increasing altitude. - remains constant with increasing altitude. - stays the same, then drops suddenly. - first increases, then decreases with increasing altitude. - decreases with increasing altitude.
decreases with increasing altitude.
The amount of heat energy required to bring about a change in temperature in a substance is called the - latent heat. - dead heat. - heat capacity. - radiative equilibrium. - conduction heat.
heat capacity.
Which of the following is MOST likely associated with fair weather? - a cold front - a warm front - large storm systems - low pressure area - high pressure area
high pressure area
On the summer solstice, the highest position of the noonday Sun is located - near the equator. - near the South Pole. - in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. - in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. - near the North Pole.
in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
Earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at - ultraviolet wavelengths. - infrared wavelengths. - visible wavelengths. - radio wavelengths. - X-ray wavelengths.
infrared wavelengths.
There are considerably more air molecules near Earth's surface than higher up, which means, in comparison, air near the surface - is less dense. - is more dense. - is only half as dense. - has no density. - has the same density.
is more dense.
The temperature of the tropopause - is much warmer than the temperature at Earth's surface. - is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface. - is close to the temperature at Earth's surface. - is nearly the same as the sun's temperature. - has never been measured.
is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface.
Energy of motion is also known as - static energy. - kinetic energy. - dynamic energy. - latent heat energy. - sensible heat energy.
kinetic energy.
The rate at which temperature decreases with increasing altitude is known as the - temperature slope. - sudden temperature drop. - lapse rate. - thermocline. - sounding.
lapse rate.
What is released as sensible heat during the formation of clouds? - latent heat - shortwave radiation - longwave radiation - sublimation - deposition
latent heat
The heat energy released when water vapor changes to a liquid is called - latent heat of condensation. - specific heat of condensation. - latent heat of fission. - specific heat of evaporation. - latent heat of fusion.
latent heat of condensation.
When the atmosphere becomes loaded with particles, only the ____ red wavelengths are able to penetrate the atmosphere, and we see a ____ Sun. - longest; blue - shortest; white - longest; yellow - longest; red - shortest; red
longest; red
Without the atmospheric greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature would be - the same as it is now. - higher than at present. - radiative - static - lower than at present.
lower than at present.
Ozone in the stratosphere - is a health hazard for people with respiratory illnesses. - is an aerosol found in the ionosphere. - is one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog. - provides healthy levels of vitamin D to humans. - protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Plants appear green to us because they ____. - reflect blue wavelengths - absorb all visible wavelengths - reflect green wavelengths - reflect all visible wavelengths - absorb green wavelengths
reflect green wavelengths
Imagine that this piece of paper is illuminated with white light and appears red. You see red light because the paper ____. - transmits red light - emits red light - absorbs red and reflects other visible wavelengths - reflects red and absorbs other visible wavelengths - disperses white light
reflects red and absorbs other visible wavelengths
Halos are caused by ____. - refraction of light passing through ice crystals - diffraction of light by cloud droplets - reflection of light by ice crystals - scattering of light by ice crystals - refraction of light passing through raindrops
refraction of light passing through ice crystals
The blue color of distant mountains is due primarily to ____. - emission of light - scattering of light - diffraction of light - refraction of light - absorption of light
scattering of light
Suppose yesterday morning you noticed ice crystals (frost) on the grass, yet the minimum temperature reported in the newspaper was only 35°F. The most likely reason for this apparent discrepancy is that - temperature readings are taken in instrument shelters more than 5 feet above the ground. - the newspaper reported the wrong temperature. - the thermometer was read incorrectly. - the thermometer was read before the minimum temperature was reached for that day. - the thermometer was in error.
temperature readings are taken in instrument shelters more than 5 feet above the ground.
The main process responsible for warming in the lower atmosphere is - the absorption of infrared radiation. - related to Earth's albedo. - the release of latent heat during condensation. - the conduction of heat upward from the surface. - the direct absorption of sunlight by the atmosphere.
the absorption of infrared radiation.
An important reason for the large daily temperature range over deserts is - free convection cells are unable to form above the hot desert ground. - the ozone content of desert air is very low. - dry air is a very poor heat conductor. - there is little water vapor in the air to absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation. - the light-colored sand radiates heat very rapidly at night.
there is little water vapor in the air to absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation.
The lag in daily temperature refers to the time lag between the - minimum and maximum temperature for a day. - time of minimum temperature and the time of maximum solar radiation. - sunrise and sunset. - time of maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature. - minimum and maximum solar energy received at the surface for a given day.
time of maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature.
The Sun is directly overhead at Mexico City (latitude 19°N) - once a year. - twice a year. - every month. - never. - four times a year.
twice a year.
Solar radiation reaches Earth's surface as - ultraviolet radiation only. - visible radiation only. - infrared radiation only. - visible and infrared radiation only. - ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.
ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.
As ocean temperatures increase, which greenhouse gas increases and enhances the atmospheric greenhouse effect, thereby illustrating a positive feedback process? - nitrogen - hydrogen sulfide - water vapor - oxygen - argon
water vapor
