ch 15

life exists under a thin blanket of gases around the earth called...

atmosphere

average weather conditions of earth or certain plc over 30-ish years

climate

NASA scientists predict that by 2059, up to 45% of the world's land area could be experiencing extreme _____ due to an increase in kinetic energy in the atmosphere. a. acid deposition b. pollution c. flooding d. drought e. hurricanes

d. drought

outermost layer; transition zone between the earth's atmosphere and outer space; has satellites

exosphere

bad mix of sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid, and particulates

industrial smog

atmospheric layer closest to the earth's surface; supports life

troposhpere

major outdoor pollutants

--carbon oxides --nitrogen oxides and nitric acid --sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid --particulates (suspended particulate matter) --ozone --volatile organic compounds (VOC)= hydrocarbons, methane, benzene, and liquid solvents

atmosphere is split into 4 layers-- name them lowest to highest

--troposphere --stratosphere --mesosphere --thermosphere --exosphere

6 factors that increase air pollution

--urban buildings= slow wind speed and reduce removal/dilution of pollutants --hills and mountains= reduce air flow and build-up occurs --high temps --emissions of volatile organic compounds --vertical movement of air --air pollution can move from 1 country to another

Which species are predicted to be hit the hardest by global warming? a. High elevation species b. Species such as corals that can tolerate a range of temperatures c. Species with broad ranges d. Species normally found in warm climates e. Species found in aquatic environments

a. High elevation species

What substance was banned from use in gasoline in 1976, resulting in a 99% drop in atmospheric emissions? a. Lead b. Sulfur c. Carbon monoxide d. Ozone e. Nitrogen oxide

a. Lead

Which potent greenhouse gas has been detected at much higher levels since the 1970s, with about 70% of this increase resulting from human activities? a. Methane b. Carbon monoxide c. Nitrogen oxides d. Smog e. Ozone

a. Methane

when chemicals in the atmosphere in high concentrations which harm organisms, ecosystems, human-made materials, and climate

air pollution

Under which of the following systems is each fossil fuel burning plant given a number of pollution credits annually, allowing the plants to emit a certain amount greenhouse gases? a. Clean Air Act b. Cap-and-trade system c. EPA regulation d. Rules of Congress e. Free market system

b. Cap-and-trade system

_____ are chemicals or substances emitted directly into the air from natural processes and human activities at concentrations high enough to cause harm. a. Secondary pollutants b. Primary pollutants c. Industrial emissions d. Volatile inorganic compounds e. Suspended particulates

b. Primary pollutants

Which of the following are included in Milankovitch cycles? a. Annual changes in weather patterns, such as those caused by the El Niño b. Slight changes in the shape of the earth's orbit around the sun and slight changes in the earth's tilt c. Impacts by meteorites and asteroids d. Effects of changes in ice cover e. Effects of volcanic eruptions and other natural factors

b. Slight changes in the shape of the earth's orbit around the sun and slight changes in the earth's tilt

indoor air pollution (burn wood/charcoal indoors, bad vents, furniture-making) is a...

bigger issue in less developed countries

Which of the following describes the mixture of two types of acidic deposition, wet deposition and dry deposition? a. Suspended particulate matter b. Sulfuric acid c. Acid rain d. Nitric acid e. Photochemical acid

c. Acid rain

The potentially massive release of methane from thawing arctic permafrost and from the arctic seafloor is an example of what concept? a. Ocean acidification b. Global warming c. Climate tipping points d. Geoengineering e. Natural emissions

c. Climate tipping points

How could a hole in the ozone layer accelerate global warming? a. The oceans would become overheated from excess solar energy. b. Long wave radiation from the sun will reach the earth. c. Ultraviolet radiation could destroy CO2 consuming photosynthetic organism in the oceans. d. Increased sunlight could create dangerous levels of smog. e. An ozone hole represents one of the climate tipping points.

c. Ultraviolet radiation could destroy CO2 consuming photosynthetic organism in the oceans.

Photochemical smog first begins to form when _____. a. the morning fog mixes with pollutants b. ground level ozone accumulates from automobile exhaust c. the sun rises in the morning d. NO and VOCs are released by morning commuter traffic e. photochemical oxidants are released from morning commuter vehicles

d. NO and VOCs are released by morning commuter traffic

Which of the following describes an important difference between the stratosphere and the troposphere? a. The stratosphere has more air mass than the troposphere. b. The stratosphere has higher temperatures and less ozone than the troposphere. c. The stratosphere has more CO2 and less ozone than the troposphere. d. The stratosphere contains more ozone and less water vapor than the troposphere. e. The stratosphere has more water vapor and less nitrogen gas than the troposphere.

d. The stratosphere contains more ozone and less water vapor than the troposphere.

What gas is absorbed by oceans and causes ocean acidification? a. Methane b. Sulfur dioxide c. Nitrogen oxide d. Carbon monoxide e. Carbon dioxide

e. Carbon dioxide

Which common indoor pollutant can be found in old pipes and can cause nervous system damage? a. Asbestos b. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane c. Chloroform d. Styrene e. Lead

e. Lead

What action would be required to keep atmospheric concentrations of CO2 below 450 ppm and the atmospheric temperature from increasing more than 2°C (3.6°F) above the preindustrial level? a. Incorporating geoengineering solutions such as carbon capture and storage b. Having complete reliance on renewable energy by the year 2035 c. Transitioning our energy consumption to natural gas in the next few years d. Focusing on black carbon and soot=producing fuels e. Leaving 82% of coal reserves and 50% of natural gas and arctic oil reserves in the ground

e. Leaving 82% of coal reserves and 50% of natural gas and arctic oil reserves in the ground

coldest layer; burns up most meteors and asteroids before they are able to reach the earth's surface

mesosphere

found in stratosphere; layer of gaseous ozone (O3) in the stratosphere that protects life on earth by filtering out most harmful UV radiation from sun

ozone layer

contains earth's protective ozone layer

stratosphere

protects the earth, enabling space exploration and communication. It recycles water, absorbs the sun's energy and creates a moderate temperature

thermosphere

consists of short-term changes in atmospheric variables (temp, rain within day)

weather