test 2 weather and climate
Which of the following characteristics of Earth's relationship to the Sun explains the existence of Earth's seasons?
-Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one orbit each year. -Earth spins on its axis, completing one rotation each day. -Earth's axis always points in the same direction relative to the stars. -Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane.
Thinking about how net radiation works, which of the following values do you think would be closest to the overall average annual net radiation for the entire planet?
0 watts
Using the analemma above, calculate the noon Sun angle for a latitude of 40° N on February 14. Choose the correct answer below.
37
Which of the following best describes the range of the visible light spectrum?
400 nm to 700 nm
Flagstaff, AZ is at 35 degrees N latitude. What is the angle of the Sun's noon rays here on March 21?
55 degrees
Which of the following materials the best conductor of heat?
A filament in an incandescent light bulb
On the following diagram, identify the correct locations of the following words and phrases:
A) _SOLAR RADIATION_ passes through the atmosphere. B) Most radiation is_ABSORBED_ by the Earth's surface resulting in _WARMING_ of the lower atmosphere. C) Some solar radiation is _REFLECTED_ by Earth and its atmosphere. D) Long wave infrared radiation is _RERADIATED_ from Earth's surface E) Some infrared radiation passes directly through the atmosphere and out to space while other infrared radiation is absorbed by _GREENHOUSE GASES__ The effect of this is to warm the Earth's surface and the lower atmosphere F)_INFRARED RADIATION_
Based on your careful review of the diagram below showing the relationship between solar energy and the greenhouse effect, which three of the following statements are probably true?
B) The greenhouse effect makes Earth warm enough to support life as we know it. source of solar radiation. D) The greenhouse effect is at least partly a natural process. E) Solar energy fuels the greenhouse effect.
Match the type of heat transfer with its correct definition. Drag the definitions into their respective bins. Each item may be used only once.
Conduction- Movement of heat through a solid Convection- Movement of heat via the movement of particles Radiation- Movement of heat through space or air
During which of the following times does Buenos Aires, Argentina receive the same number of hours of sunlight as New York City, USA?
Fall/Spring Equinox
Which of the following types of radiation have the shortest wavelengths?
Gamma rays
What happens to the energy that the ground absorbs in the form of visible sunlight?
It is returned upward in the form of infrared light.
On a cloudless day, what happens to most of the visible light headed toward Earth?
It reaches Earth's surface, where some is reflected and some is absorbed.
The length of daylight gets progressively longer going south from the equator on:
June 21
What is the source of longwave infrared radiation?
Longwave infrared radiation is emitted from Earth's surface.
When do all locations on Earth experience equal lengths of day and night?
March/September equinox
What happens to most of the incoming solar energy on Earth?
Most incoming solar energy is absorbed by Earth's land and water surfaces.
Earth is closest to the Sun during:
Northern Hemisphere winter
Which of the following types of radiation have the longest wavelengths?
Radio waves
Given the location of the Sun and the tilt of the Earth in the image below, label which of the four locations represents the summer solstice, winter solstice, fall equinox, and spring equinox respectively.
Starting from the top, going clockwise Spring Equinox, Winter Solstice, Fall Equinox, Summer Solstice
What causes it to be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer in the northern hemisphere?
Summer temperatures are warmer because more sun energy per unit area is received during this time.
Why does the Northern Hemisphere have more positive values for net radiation in July as compared to the Southern Hemisphere in July?
The Northern Hemisphere receives more sunlight in July.
Why does the Northern Hemisphere have warm summers? Choose all that apply.
The Sun's energy is more concentrated. Days are longer. The Sun's rays hit the ground at a more perpendicular angle. The north pole is tilted toward the Sun.
On a day with complete cloud cover, what happens to the visible light headed toward Earth?
The clouds reflect some of it back to space, and some still reaches the surface.
How does the inclination of Earth's axis change over the course of a year?
The inclination of Earth's axis does not change.
In which situation is radiation the most dominant form of heat transfer?
The movement of heat from the Sun to Earth
Based on the location of the Sun and the North Star, determine the orientation of the Earth's axis at each location. Drag the appropriate labels to their respective targets. Labels may be used more than once.
They're all pointing at the same angle towards the north start
During which of the following times does the North Pole receive no hours of sunlight?
Winter Solstice
Where does the length of day remain the same throughout the year?
at the equator
Which of the following associations is INCORRECT?
autumnal equinox
When are the Sun's rays perpendicular to Earth's surface at the equator?
during the March equinox and September equinox
Which location receives the most sun energy per unit area during the spring equinox?
equatorial regions
Which location receives the most sun energy per unit area during the winter solstice?
equatorial regions
The greenhouse effect raises Earth's surface temperature (from what it would be otherwise) because the infrared light radiated by Earth's surface __________.
is temporarily absorbed by greenhouse gases and then reemitted in random directions
Which one of the following is the MOST abundant gas in the atmosphere?
nitrogen
The troposphere is most likely to be thickest:
over the equator
During the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, the circle of illumination passes directly through the:
poles
When do the Sun's rays hit the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes at the highest angle?
summer solstice
In which material would convection occur?
the atmoshphere
In which of the following locations would you be most likely to find a yearly net radiation surplus?
the equator
What is the December solstice?
the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly away from the Sun
The June solstice is
the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly toward the Sun
The heterosphere and ionosphere both coincide with the:
thermosphere
Earth's perihelion:
would not exist if the earth's orbit were circular.
