Chapter 14

What three elements make up most of the atmosphere? A) nitrogen, oxygen and argon B) hydrogen, helium and oxygen C) water, oxygen and argon D) nitrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen E) neon, argon and helium

A) nitrogen, oxygen and argon

"Laughing gas" is most likely: A) nitrous oxide B) SO2 C) VOC D) O3 E) CO2

A) nitrous oxide

Where do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come from? A) paint thinners and solvents B) in the stratosphere C) from the sun D) from the ozone layer: E) we release it when we breathe

A) paint thinners and solvents

Paleoclimatology uses all except _______ to understand past climate. A) sea level history B) geo-sequestration C) oxygen isotopes from trapped air pockets in glacial ice D) sedimentary rocks E) fossils in the rock record

B) geo-sequestration

O3 is known as: A) oxygen B) ozone C) oxide D) methane E) carbon dioxide

B) ozone

The most complex models for the Earth's climate are called: A) the Kyoto Protocol B) the Global Climate Models (GCMs) C) feedback mechanisms D) intergovernmental panel for climate change (IPCC) E) eccentricity and procession models

B) the Global Climate Models (GCMs)

What are some common air pollutants? A) oxygen and nitrogen B) volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides C) argon and helium D) water vapor and xenon E) all are air pollutants

B) volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides

The "new car smell" is most likely: A) nitrous oxide B) SO2 C) VOC D) O3 E) CO2

C) VOC

Why is ozone important? A) it is dominant gas in the atmosphere B) it protects Earth from harmful greenhouse gases C) it protects Earth from damaging UV radiation D) it cleans the troposphere E) all of the above

C) it protects Earth from damaging UV radiation

President Obama's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ______ by 2050. A) 10% B) 25% C) 50% D) 80% E) 100%

D) 80%

Which of the following is an isotope of oxygen? A) O16 B) O18 C) O3 D) O2 E) all are isotopes

E) all are isotopes

What is the source of carbon monoxide? A) charcoal burners B) kerosene C) gasoline-powered generators D) exhaust from cars E) all of the above

E) all of the above

What is true about pure nitrogen? A) is commonly shipped in a cold, liquid state B) is the dominant element in the atmosphere C) can be used to preserve food D) can be used to freeze biological specimens E) all of the above

E) all of the above

Which of the following is a factor that influences climate? A) the intensity of the sunlight reaching Earth (solar radiation) B) distribution of water and land masses C) ocean circulation D) wind circulation E) all of the above

E) all of the above

Which of the following are greenhouse gases? A) CO2 B) NOx C) CH4 D) chlorofluorocarbons E) all of these

E) all of these

Our sun's luminosity has not changed since it formed millions of years ago (T/F).

False

The Earth's climate has not really changed much over geologic time (T/F).

False

The U.S. ratified the Kyoto Protocol (T/F).

False

Carbon dioxide is considered a pollutant (T/F).

True

In 2007, the IPCC indicated that most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century were very likely the result of an increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission (T/F).

True

The tilt of the Earth's axis has changed throughout geologic time (T/F).

True

There is not top to the atmosphere as gas molecules gradually decrease into space (T/F).

True

Define acid rain

a combination of sulfur dioxide or NOx and water

Define VOC's

chemicals like benzene, toluene, butane and propane

Define smog

combination of smoke and fog

Define NOx

family of nitrogen and oxygen compounds that are greenhouse gases

Define CFC's

hydrocarbon compounds that contain chlorine and fluorine widely used in refrigerators as coolants

Define cryognic distillation

method of determining what gases are present in the atmosphere

Define carbon sequestration

process that captures and stores carbon dioxide

Define feedback mechanism

the relationship and influences between different drivers of climate

Define glacial maximum

time of maximum extent of ice sheets in the past

Define tillite

type of soil generated by ice sheets