OSU Geo 102
94) Remote sensing isA) a subjective determination of temperature.B) the monitoring of a distant object without physical contact.C) an earthbound technique not used in modern satellites.D) based on the principle that surfaces must be physically handled and directly measured for study.
b
36) The water balance for Kingsport, Tennessee exhibitsA) a net water surplus (SURPL) during each month of the year.B) net demands for water for 10 months of the year.C) water deficits in the summer months.D) water deficits each month of the year.
c
37) Between 20° to 35° north latitude and 20° to 35° south latitude areA) the largest zone of water surpluses in the world.B) warm and wet conditions, and the world's great tropical forests.C) the world's arid and semi-arid desert regions.D) cyclonic systems of low pressure.
c
37) Relative humidity isA) the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the normal amount.B) the amount of moisture in the air relative to your own sensible feelings.C) the amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature expressed as a percentage of the moisture capacity of the air.D) a basically unused concept when it comes to weather topics.
c
4) Over the last two decades, costs for weather-related destruction has, on an annual basis,A) decreased.B) increased two-fold.C) increased five-fold.D) stayed about the same.
c
4) Which of the following refers to primary circulation?A) migratory high and low pressure systemsB) the monsoonsC) general circulation of the atmosphereD) land-sea breezes
c
40) Which of the following is TRUE of the number of hours of daylight?A) The number of hours of daylight includes the hours between dawn and twilight, not just the hours from sunrise to sunset.B) The number of hours of daylight varies the most along the equator.C) The number of hours of daylight varies depending on the latitude of the observer.D) The number of hours of daylight varies the least at higher latitudes.
c
1) Geography is described asA) an Earth science.B) a human science.C) a physical science.D) a spatial science.
d
1) Which of the following is NOT true about our Solar System?A) It is embedded in the the Orion Spur of the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.B) It contains 8 planets and 4 dwarf planets.C) It is some 30,000 lightyears from Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way.D) It is located in the approximate center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
d
106) Which of the following cloud types is associated with tornado development?A) cumulusB) nimbostratusC) altocumulusD) cumulonimbus
d
11) When does Earth's perihelion position, the point of orbit when it is closest to the Sun, occur?A) During the Northern Hemisphere's summer.B) During the Northern Hemisphere's spring.C) During the Northern Hemisphere's autumn.D) During the Northern Hemisphere's winter.
d
112) Why are the winds in a hurricane and tornado so strong?A) The pressure gradient is strong.B) The pressure at the center of the storm is very low.C) Tremendous amounts of condensation occur in the center of the storm.D) all of theseE) Because of the strong pressure gradient and condensation only.
d
114) The atmospheric portion of the biosphere occurs in theA) lithosphere.B) heterosphere.C) ozonosphere.D) troposphere.
d
12) Which of the following is NOT true of sunspots?A) They can be several times larger than Earth.B) They can produce flares and prominences.C) They are surface disturbances caused by magnetic storms.D) They are brighter than the rest of the Sun's surface.
d
13) A magnetic disturbance on the Sun's surface is calledA) a sunspot.B) a magnetospheric cyclone.C) the solar wind.D) the electromagnetic spectrum.
d
136) Natural acidic rainfall primarily results from the interaction of water withA) sulfur oxides.B) PAN.C) ozone.D) carbon dioxide.E) nitrogen oxides.
d
141) Given the pH scale is logarithmic where each whole number represents a tenfold increase, a rain with a pH of 3 is how many times more acidic than rain with a pH of 7?A) 3B) 4C) 100D) 10,000E) 1,000,000,000
d
16) The scientific method is described by which of the following?A) the application of common senseB) a series of procedures developed by Sir Isaac NewtonC) the development of hypotheses for testing and predictionD) All of these are correct.
d
17) The Sun gives off electromagnetic radiation becauseA) matter and energy totally annihilate one another in matter-‐‐antimatter reactions.B) energy is converted into matter.C) kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.D) matter is converted into energy.
d
18) Which of the following is an example of a system?A) a leafB) a river drainage basinC) a midlatitude cyclonic stormD) All of these are examples of systems.E) None of these is an example of systems.
d
19) A battery can best be described as a/an ________ energy system and a/an ________ material system.A) closed; closedB) closed; openC) open; openD) open; closed
d
22) The term "deposition" refers toA) water freezing to ice.B) ice melting to water.C) vapor condensing into liquid.D) water vapor freezing to ice.
d
43) Air flow in a Northern Hemisphere high pressure zone isA) downward, outward and clockwise.B) downward, outward and counterclockwise.C) inward, upward and clockwise.D) inward, upward and counterclockwise.E) downward, inward and clockwise.
a
5) Which of the following refers to secondary circulation?A) migratory high and low pressure systemsB) weather patternsC) general circulation of the atmosphereD) mountain-valley breezes
a
50) The plane of Earth's orbit about the Sun is calledA) the plane of the ecliptic.B) a great circle.C) perihelion.D) aphelion.
a
52) Air that is not saturated will cool or heat at a rate of ________ as it rises or descends, respectively.A) 10C degrees per 1000 m (5.5F degrees per 1000 ft)B) 6C degrees per 1000 m (3.3F degrees per 1000 ft)C) 6.4C degrees per 1000 m (3.5F degrees per 1000 ft)
a
58) Which of the following is an example of the consumptive use of water?A) water that evaporates from an irrigated fieldB) hydroelectric power productionC) using water for a bathD) river navigationE) all of these
a
63) The single most important control on temperature isA) latitude.B) altitude.C) distribution of land and water.D) evaporation.
a
76) Half of the total mass of Earth's atmosphere lies below an elevation of ________ meters.A) 5500B) 14,000C) 11,000D) 8300
a
84) Temperatures within the stratosphereA) increase with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation.B) decrease with altitude due to radiation losses.C) decrease with altitude according to the normal lapse rate.D) remain about the same from the tropopause to the stratopause.
a
19) Which of the following is true regarding potential evapotranspiration (POTET) in the United States?A) The highest values are in the South and East.B) The highest values are in the Southwest.C) Complete measurements and a map of POTET have yet to be prepared.D) It coincides with precipitation amounts.
b
2) ________ is a supermassive black hole sitting in the galactic center of the Milky Way.A) Centaurus AB) Sagittarius AC) The Orion SpurD) Messier 31
b
21) What type of feedback maintains stability in a system, i.e., what type of feedback keeps a system functioning properly?A) positiveB) negativeC) neutral
b
23) Which of the following is true of high pressure areas?A) Air converges and ascends within high pressure systems.B) Air descends and diverges within high pressure systems.C) They generally involve atmospheric pressures lower than 1000 mb.D) They are characteristic for areas along the equator.
b
86) In which two atmospheric zones does temperature increase with altitude?A) Stratosphere and mesosphereB) Stratosphere and thermosphereC) Troposphere and mesosphereD) Troposphere and stratosphere
b
86) The cool ocean currents that flow along the west coasts of continents promoteA) heavy rainfall.B) fog.C) thunderstorm development.D) all of these
b
86) The highest rainfall in the world occurs in an area where rainfall is generated byA) advectional cooling of air masses over cold ocean currents.B) orographic uplift of warm, moist air.C) convectional uplift of warm, moist air.D) radiative cooling of cold, moist air.
b
87) In which two atmospheric zones does temperature decrease with altitude?A) Stratosphere and mesosphereB) Troposphere and mesosphereC) Troposphere and stratosphereD) Stratosphere and thermosphereE) None of the abovefjtemperature decreases with increasing altitude in all layers of the atmosphere.
b
9) Water has a density ofA) 0.5 g/cm.B) 1 g/cm.C) 2.5 g/cm.D) 15 g/cm.
b
10) Normal sea level pressure has a value ofA) 1013.2 millibars or 29.92 inches of mercury in a barometer.B) 28.50 inches of lead.C) 32.01 millibars of mercury.D) 500 mb.
a
110) Which of the following is true of hurricanes in the western Atlantic?A) The peak months of occurrence are from August to October.B) They are generally called cyclones or typhoons in this part of the world.C) They are associated with the cool, southward-flowing Kuroshio current.D) They occur in association with local monsoonal winds.
a
114) When hurricanes first form in the Northern Hemisphere, they usually travel from ________, and later from ________ after they move to higher latitudes.A) east to west; west to eastB) west to east; east to westC) north to south; west to eastD) any path is equally likely
a
12) The average height of a column of mercury (Hg) in a barometer at sea level isA) 760 mm (76 cm).B) 1013 inches. C) something that can not be determined without knowing air temperature.D) 29.00 millibars.
a
12) Which of the following is true of the distribution of land and water on Earth?A) The Southern Hemisphere is dominated by water.B) The Northern Hemisphere is dominated by water.C) They are evenly distributed in both hemispheres. D) Most of the water on Earth is fresh water.
a
14) An increase in air pressure will cause the mercury in a barometer to ________.A) riseB) fallC) freezeD) none of these
a
16) Earth's average overall albedo isA) 31 percent.B) 51 percent.C) 69 percent.D) unknown.
a
16) The auroras in the upper atmosphere are caused byA) the interaction of the solar wind and upper layers of Earth's atmosphere.B) AM radio broadcasts.C) various weather phenomena.D) visible light interaction with the asthenosphere.
a
17) Water molecules bind tightly to one another. This is a result ofA) hydrogen bonding.B) covalent bonding.C) atomic friction.D) molecular hold.
a
19) The number of waves passing a fixed point in 1 second is known as theA) frequency.B) electromagnetic spectrum.C) Kelvin.D) wavelength.
a
2) The word spatial refers toA) the nature and character of physical space.B) items that relate specifically to society.C) things that are unique and special.D) eras of time.
a
20) Surface tension and capillarity are the result ofA) hydrogen bonding between water molecules.B) covalent bonding.C) atomic friction.D) molecular hold.
a
22) If Earth did not rotate, air would flowA) perpendicular to the isobars, i.e., straight across the isobars.B) to the right of its direction of motion in the Northern Hemisphere.C) to the left of its direction of motion in the Northern Hemisphere.D) parallel to the isobars.
a
22) If a system responds to a change in input by moving further away from its equilibrium condition, what type of feedback has occurred?A) positiveB) negativeC) neutralD) Not enough information is given to indicate what type of feedback has occurred.
a
23) The dominant wavelength of energy emitted by the Sun isA) shorter than that emitted by Earth.B) the same length as that emitted by Earth.C) longer than that emitted by Earth.
a
24) Which of the following is characterized by the longest wavelengths?A) Radio waves. B) Gamma Rays.C) X-‐‐Rays.D) Thermal infrared.E) Visible.
a
29) The average insolation received by the thermopause when Earth is at its average distance from the sun is known as theA) solar constant.B) energy balance.C) incoming solar radiation.D) solar wind input to the atmosphere.
a
30) When frost forms, itA) warms the air by releasing 680 calories of heat energy to the air per gram of water.B) warms the air by releasing 80 calories of heat energy to the air per gram of water.C) cools the air by releasing 680 calories of heat energy to the air per gram of water.D) cools the air by releasing 80 calories of heat energy to the air per gram of water
a
31) In the absence of friction, the combined effect of the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force produces A) geostrophic winds at high altitudes above the ground.B) surface winds.C) air flow from low to high pressure centers.D) air flow in a north-south direction.E) air flow perpendicular to the isobars.
a
31) When water evaporates, it ________ heat energy and ________ the surrounding air.A) absorbs; coolsB) absorbs heatsC) releases; coolsD) releases; heats
a
34) Which of the following is TRUE of the subsolar point?A) It only occurs at latitudes between the tropics (23.5° N/S).B) It never occurs beyond a few degrees of the equator.C) It occurs at all latitudes at least once throughout the year.D) The highest latitude at which it occurs is 60° N/S.
a
35) The intertropical convergence zone is characterized byA) convergence and uplift of warm surface air.B) convergence and subsidence of cold surface air.C) divergence and uplift of warm surface air.D) divergence and subsidence of cold surface air
a
36) The Sun's altitude refers toA) the angular height of the Sun above the horizon.B) the angular distance from the equator to the latitude at which direct overhead insolation is received.C) the subsolar point.D) how far the Sun is from Earth.
a
37) The Sun's declination refers toA) the latitude of the subsolar point.B) its altitude, in thousands of feet, above the horizon.C) how far the Sun is from Earth.D) the angular height of the Sun above the horizon
a
38) The capacity of the air to hold water vapor is basically a function ofA) the temperature of both the water vapor and the air.B) the water vapor content.C) freezing temperature.D) latent heat.
a
40) A humidity measure that remains constant as temperature and pressure change, and which is expressed as a mass of water vapor per mass (g/kg) of air, isA) specific humidity.B) vapor pressure.C) relative humidity.D) the dew-point.
a
40) The dominant surface winds from the subtropics to high latitudes are theA) westerlies.B) trade winds.C) polar easterlies.D) geostrophic winds.
a
41) The line of contact between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation is known as theA) water table.B) saturation contact.C) influent line.D) aquiclude.
a
85) If the Gulf Stream shifted away from Iceland and England, winter temperatures in these locations wouldA) become cooler, thereby decreasing the average winter temperature.B) become warmer, thereby increasing the average winter temperature.C) remain the same.D) It is impossible to say what would happen to the winter temperatures.
a
88) Why is the hole in the ozone greatest over Antarctica?A) Chlorine freed from CFCs elsewhere migrate to the Antarctic region, where they are trapped by the polar vortex.B) The ozone hole is a natural phenomenon related to high polar stratospheric clouds.C) South American countries have not ratified the Montreal Protocol and continue to release ozone-‐‐destroying CFCs. D) Ozone, a greenhouse gas which traps ultraviolet energy radiated from Earth's surface, has highest concentration in Antarctica.
a
95) Storm tracks across the United States and Canada generallyA) shift to the south in winter, and toward the north in summer.B) move east to west.C) move south to north.D) exist in spring and fall only
a
97) A satellite imaging system that beams electromagnetic energy at the surface and then records the energy that is reflected is classified as a/an ________ system.A) activeB) passiveC) photographicD) holographic
a
1) Weather isA) the climate of a region.B) the short-term condition of the atmosphere.C) the long-term atmospheric condition, including extremes that may occur.D) a reference to temperature patterns only.
b
10) When water freezes, its densityA) increases.B) decreases.C) remains the same as in the liquid state.
b
115) Which of the following is CORRECT regarding lapse rates in the troposphere?A) The term "normal (average) lapse rate" refers to the actual lapse rate in effect at any particular timeB) The environmental lapse rate refers to the actual lapse rate at any particular time and may differ substantially from the normal lapse rate.C) Temperatures generally increase with altitude in the troposphere.D) The normal lapse rate is always the same as the dry adiabatic rate (DAR).
b
14) Which of the following is true of precipitation in North America?A) The highest amounts occur in the Southwest and Midwest.B) The highest amounts occur in the Southeast and Northwest.C) The lowest amounts are received in the Midwest.D) The lowest amounts are received near Hudson's Bay.
b
15) Earth's magnetosphere is generated byA) nuclear fusion in Earth's core.B) dynamo-‐‐like motions in Earth's interior.C) gravitational accretion.D) nuclear fission in Earth's core.
b
15) Transpiration refers toA) the movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface. B) the outward movement of water from plant leaves.C) an amount of moisture loss from the surface that cannot be measured.D) evaporation.
b
19) Water is a good solvent becauseA) it expands when it freezes.B) it has an asymmetrical charge distribution (one end is positive and the other negative).C) it undergoes phase changes over a relatively narrow range of temperatures.D) it is transparent.
b
24) Which of the following best describes the condition of steady-‐‐state equilibrium?A) System inputs always exactly balance outputs so the system never changes.B) System inputs and outputs fluctuate around a stable average so the system does not move far from its average condition.C) System inputs produce large, random fluctuations in output, forcing the system into a new state of equilibrium.D) Systems slowly adjust to long-‐‐term changes in input and output.
b
25) The dominant wavelength emitted by Earth isA) gamma radiation.B) thermal infrared.C) X-‐‐ray radiation.D) visible light.
b
26) Which of the following sequences is arranged in order from shorter wavelength to longer wavelength?A) Gamma rays, microwaves, visible, X-‐‐raysB) X-‐‐rays, ultraviolet, visible, infraredC) Infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-‐‐raysD) Radio waves, light, heat, X-‐‐rays
b
27) A vertical air current that is generated by temperature-induced density differences is an example of heat transfer byA) advection.B) convection.C) conduction.D) transmission E) diffusion.
b
3) A principal methodology governing geographic inquiryA) is behavioral analysis.B) involves spatial analysis.C) uses chronological organization.D) is field work.
b
3) The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of theA) universe.B) planets.C) ocean basins.D) galaxy.
b
32) The uneven distribution of insolation by latitude is primarily a result ofA) variability in the Sun's output.B) Earth's curvature, which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.C) variation in the value of a watt.D) the changing distance of Earth from the Sun.
b
38) The sun's declination migrates through ________ of latitude annually.A) 66.5°.B) 47°.C) 30°.D) 133°.E) 23.5°.
b
39) Which of the following is easily determined using the position of the Sun or stars?A) longitudeB) latitudeC) altitude
b
4) Earth and the Sun formed specifically fromA) unknown origins.B) a nebula of dust and gases.C) the galaxy.D) other planets.
b
4) Earth's main energy inputs areA) longwave radiation and ultraviolet light.B) ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared radiation.C) near infrared and far infrared (i.e., longwave radiation).D) gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet radiation.
b
41) As temperature increases during the day, relative humidity usuallyA) increases.B) decreases.C) remains the same.
b
45) The elapsed time between two crossings of the equator by the Sun is known as the ________.A) summer.B) tropical year.C) parallelism.D) inter-‐‐equinox.
b
46) The general term that refers to the tendency of a parcel of air to either remain in place or change its initial position is ________.A) adiabaticB) stabilityC) conditional instabilityD) stasis
b
47) An air parcel is considered unstable when itA) either remains as it is, or changes its initial position.B) continues to rise until it reaches an altitude at which the surrounding air has a similar density.C) resists displacement upward.D) ceases to ascend.
b
48) Which of the following is NOT true regarding rotational velocities at different latitudes?A) At 60° latitude, the rotational velocity is 838 kmph (521 mph).B) At 90° latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph).C) At 30° latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph).D) At 0° latitude, the rotational velocity is 1675 kmph (1040 mph).
b
52) Which of the following is NOT true?A) Throughout the year, Earth's axis maintains the same alignment relative to the plane of the ecliptic.B) During the winter months, Earth's axis is aligned towards Southern Cross.C) The axis through Earth's two poles points just slightly off Polaris.D) Earth's axis is titled 23.5° relative to the plane of the ecliptic.
b
53) When water evaporates, the energy that was used to evaporate the waterA) is stored as sensible heat in the evaporated water.B) is stored as latent heat in the evaporated water.C) is transferred to the air by advection when the water evaporates.D) is conducted into the underlying layer of water.
b
54) Areas between 25 degrees to 35 degrees latitude usually become ________ because this area is dominated by air that is sinking and being ________.A) deserts; cooled by expansionB) deserts; heated by compressionC) rain forests; cooled by expansionD) rain forests; heated by compression
b
56) Within the upper-air westerly wind flow are great waving undulationsA) that were first described by Hadley, an 18th century English scientist.B) known as Rossby waves that involve contact between cooler and warmer air masses.C) that are unrelated to the jet stream.D) that are called Hadley cells.
b
58) Clouds that have vertical development and produce precipitation are calledA) stratocumulus.B) cumulonimbus.C) nimbostratus.D) cumulus.
b
66) 6.4C degrees/1000 m (3.5F degrees/1000 ft) refers toA) a latitudinal lapse rate.B) a normal lapse rate.C) an environmental lapse rate.D) a measure of air pressure.
b
7) Air flow is initiated by the A) Coriolis force.B) pressure gradient force.C) friction force.D) centrifugal force.
b
72) Which of the following is true regarding air masses?A) An air mass always retains the characteristics of its source region.B) They are homogenous in terms of temperature and humidity.C) They extend to the bottom of the stratosphere.D) They are classified based on their latitude.Answer: B
b
76) A mT air mass is likely to be ________ than a cT air mass because the mT air mass ________.A) wetter; is warmer than the cT air massB) wetter; forms over the oceanC) drier; is a cold air massD) drier; forms under the equatorial lowE) hotter; forms over the ocean
b
81) As a result of the characteristics of water, cities located near a coast should experience a temperature range that is ________ those of cities located in the interior at the same latitude.A) the same asB) smaller thanC) larger than
b
101) Which is TRUE of the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere?A) The level of CO2 has been much higher during the past 800,000 years than it is now.B) The level of CO2 has been decreasing at the rate of 3.1% per year since 2000.C) The level of CO2 increased at the rate of 1.1% per year from 1990 to 1999.D) CO2 is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere.
c
107) In 1974, Dr. Rowland and Dr. Molina made what observation regarding ozone (O3)?A) Automobile exhaust and sunlight were producing photochemical smog.B) Anthropogenic O3 releases were a major culprit in global warming.C) The photochemical interactions of chlorofluorocarbons and O3.D) Ground-‐‐level O3 irritates human eyes and respiratory systems.
c
108) Hurricanes derive their energy fromA) the latent heat of vaporization.B) the latent heat of fusion.C) the heat of condensation.D) the latent heat of sublimation.
c
109) Which of the following is TRUE of chlorofluorocarbons?A) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release fluorine which then destroys ozone.B) Most of the CFC-‐‐induced ozone destruction is occurring near the equator, rather than near the poles.C) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release chlorine which then destroys ozone.D) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release carbon which then destroys ozone.
c
113) Which of the following is TRUE regarding ozone depletion in Antarctica?A) The atmosphere above Antarctica has experienced a complete loss of protective ozone.B) Increasing levels of ultraviolet radiation have not actually been measured at this time.C) Maximum ozone depletion occurs during the Antarctic spring, following the development of polar stratospheric clouds in winter.D) There has actually been a decrease in ultraviolet levels measured at the surfacefjwhich is contrary to what is predicted by ozone depletion models.
c
13) Potential evapotranspiration refers toA) the moisture supply.B) the amount of unmet water demand in an environment.C) the amount of water that would evaporate or transpire if it were available.D) actual evapotranspiration under conditions of moisture deficit.
c
13) The largest portion of fresh water today is located inA) clouds.B) groundwater resources.C) ice caps and glaciers.D) the major rivers and lakes of the world.
c
130) Acid deposition results fromA) carbonic acids dissolved from atmospheric carbon dioxide.B) hydrochloric acid, formed from the combination of hydrogen chloride and water.C) nitric acid and sulfuric acid, formed from nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.D) hydrocarbons, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide
c
14) The inductive method of reasoning used by Earth scientists to discern patterns in natureinvolves reasoning fromA) the complex to the simple.B) the simple to the complex.C) the specific to the general.D) the general to the specific.
c
16) The normal range for air pressure at sea level isA) 500 to 1000 mb.B) 100 to 650 mb.C) 980 to 1050 mb.D) 1060 to 210 mb.
c
20) If precipitation and soil moisture are inadequate to meet potential evapotranspiration demands, the moisture condition is described asA) actual evapotranspiration.B) a surplus.C) a deficit.D) soil moisture utilization.
c
21) Which of the following is TRUE of the Sun's electromagnetic spectrum?A) It consists exclusively of visible light and infrared energy.B) It consists exclusively of streams of charged particles.C) It consists of gamma ray, X-‐‐ray, ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths.D) It consists exclusively of radiant energy made of gamma ray, X-‐‐ray, and ultraviolet wavelengths.
c
23) The sky is blue becauseA) blue light is absorbed more than other wavelengths.B) Earth's atmosphere allows only blue light to enter.C) the atmosphere scatters blue light more than any other visible wavelength.D) most of the light coming from the Sun is in the blue end of the visible spectrum.
c
25) Soil moisture that plants are capable of accessing and using is calledA) wilting point water.B) gravitational water.C) available water.D) hygroscopic water.
c
25) Which of the following describes the Coriolis force?A) It drives air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure.B) It decreases with height above the surface.C) It causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.D) It is the only force acting on flows of air in the upper troposphere.
c
26) Conduction refers toA) the vertical movement of air in response to temperature-induced density differences.B) strong vertical motions in the atmosphere.C) the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy that diffuses through the material.D) the behavior of something.
c
26) Which of the following phase changes involves the greatest number of calories?A) meltingB) evaporationC) sublimationD) condensation
c
27) Which of the following is true when the soil is at field capacity?A) A surplus definitely exists.B) No gravity drainage has occurred.C) The soil is holding the maximum amount of water that it can hold against the pull of gravity.D) The capillary force is not acting.
c
28) The difference between the wilting point and field capacity is approximately equal toA) wilting point water.B) gravitational water.C) available water.D) hygroscopic water.
c
3) Approximately what percentage of our bodies is comprised of water?A) 5 percentB) 25 percentC) 70 percentD) 99 percent
c
31) Which of the following is TRUE relative to insolation at the thermopause relative to latitude?A) Annually, insolation is evenly distributed with little change by latitude.B) Annually, higher latitudes receive more insolation than lower latitudes.C) Annually, lower latitudes receive more insolation than the higher latitudes.D) Insolation can only be measured longitudinally, not latitudinally.
c
32) The realization that Earth was a sphereA) did not occur in Europe until the first voyages of Columbus.B) had to wait until the modern era (1800s).C) was first made by Pythagoras, 580-‐‐500 BC.D) was made by Isaac Newton.
c
33) What is the name of the location on the surface of Earth that receives insolation when the Sun is directly overhead? (When this occurs, the Sun's rays are perpendicular to this surface.)A) ZenithB) North Polar pointC) Subsolar pointD) Solar point
c
41) Which of the following is TRUE regarding daylength?A) Daylength varies more at the equator than at higher latitudes.B) The equator experiences at least six-‐‐hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.C) The people living at 40° N or S latitude experience about six-‐‐hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.D) Nowhere on Earth does daylength vary by as much as 24 hours.
c
43) How far north you live from the equator is measured as your ________, whereas an imaginary line marking all those places at that same distance north of the equator is called a ________.A) longitude; meridianB) meridian; longitudeC) latitude; parallelD) parallel; latitudeE) location; place
c
44) The amount of heat energy present in any substance is expressed as itsA) temperature.B) latent heat.C) sensible heat.D) surface motion.
c
44) Which of the following characterizes Earth's revolution?A) It is responsible for creating the circle of illumination, and hence, day/night relationships.B) It takes approximately 24 hours.C) It determines the timing of seasons and length of the year.D) It is clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.
c
47) Earth's rotation is described asA) east to west.B) clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.C) west to east.D) north to south.
c
49) All adiabatic temperature changes occur as a result ofA) the addition or removal of heat energy from the air.B) changes in the absolute humidity of the air.C) expansion or compression of the air.
c
5) Our planet and our lives are powered byA) shorter wavelengths of gamma rays, X-‐‐rays, and ultraviolet.B) energy derived from inside Earth.C) radiant energy from the Sun.D) utilities and oil companies.
c
53) The wet adiabatic rate is ________ than the dry adiabatic rate because ________.A) greater; condensation heats the airB) greater; condensation cools the airC) less; condensation heats the airD) less; condensation cools the air
c
54) The Southern Hemisphere's summer solstice occursA) during the Northern Hemisphere's equinox.B) on or around December 21.C) on or around June 21.D) at the same time as the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice.
c
55) Of the average precipitation over the lower 48 states, what percentage evaporates and transpires on the average per day?A) 29 percentB) 51 percentC) 71 percentD) 49 percent
c
56) The letters PM stand forA) prior majolica.B) previous morning.C) post meridiem.D) possible meridian
c
6) Earth is properly characterized asA) the land planet.B) a small star.C) the water planet.D) lacking a hydrosphere.
c
6) In the water budget, ________ is the major receipt and ________ is the major expenditure.A) sunshine; radiative coolingB) outgassing; dissociationC) precipitation; evaporation and transpirationD) evaporation and transpiration; precipitation
c
60) Which of the following are correctly matched?A) flat or layered clouds — cumulusB) puffy or globular clouds — cirroformC) puffy or globular clouds — cumuliformD) wispy clouds — water droplets
c
61) Land-sea breezes are caused byA) the fact that water heats and cools faster than land surfaces.B) cooler air flowing offshore (toward the ocean) in the afternoon.C) onshore (toward the land) air flows that develop in the afternoon as the land heats faster than neighboring water surfaces.D) the fact that warmer air is denser and settles to the surface of the land.
c
63) Mountain-valley breezes are caused byA) warmer air descending mountain slopes during the day.B) valley air ascending the mountain slopes at night.C) warm air rising upslope during the day and cooler air descending the slopes at night.D) gravity-drainage.
c
66) The top of Earth's atmosphere is approximatelyA) 3,200 km (1,988 mi) above Earth's surface.B) 2,000 km (1,243 mi) above Earth's surface.C) 480 km (300 mi) above Earth's surface.D) 1,000 km (621 mi) above Earth's surface
c
67) Which of the following is TRUE about Earth's atmosphere?A) It is denser at higher altitudes.B) It allows gamma rays and X-‐‐rays reach the surface.C) The ozonosphere and ionosphere shield the surface from harmful radiation.D) Variable gases are the dominant gases in the atmosphere.
c
69) A fog that develops when warm, moist air blows over a cold current (such as the California Current) is an example of ________ fog.
c
78) The larger the scale of a map, the ________ the area covered by the map and the ________detail it provides.A) larger; moreB) larger; lessC) smaller; moreD) smaller; less
c
87) The wetter, intercepting slope of a mountain is termed the ________ slope, whereas the drier, downwind slope is termed the ________ slope. A) left side; right sideB) west side; east sideC) windward; leewardD) leeward; windward
c
9) When light passes from one medium to anotherA) transmission happens.B) Rayleigh scattering is the predominant effect.C) refraction occurs—a process that is important to the formation of rainbows.D) it is usually not affected physically.
c
90) Which of the following lists the CORRECT sequence of gases, from most to least concentration, in terms of percentage within the homosphere?A) Oxygen, nitrogen, neon, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxideB) Oxygen, ozone, nitrogen, PAN, carbon dioxideC) Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, trace gasesD) Nitrogen, argon, oxygen, xenon, carbon dioxide
c
94) Which of the following is TRUE of nitrogen?A) Nitrogen is a variable gas.B) There is very little nitrogen in the atmosphere.C) The nitrogen that the human body needs is derived from foodfjnot the air.D) The human body obtains the nitrogen it needs from the air.
c
22) Which of the following is TRUE?A) Because the Sun is so far away, it is impossible to measure the wavelengths of its radiation.1B) The radiation emitted by the Sun and the are roughly the same wavelength. C) The Sun emits longwave radiation, whereas Earth emits shortwave radiation.D) The Sun emits shortwave radiation, whereas Earth emits longwave radiation.
d
27) The thermopause refers toA) Earth's magnetic field.B) the Sun's surface.C) the solar atmosphere that extends into space.D) the top of Earth's atmosphere.
d
28) Incoming solar radiation is calledA) thermosphere.B) solar constant.C) solar wind.D) insolation.
d
29) When water condenses, it ________ heat energy and ________ the surrounding air.A) absorbs; coolsB) absorbs; heatsC) releases; coolsD) releases; heats
d
30) The solar constant is measured atA) sea level.B) the Sun's surface.C) the edge of the Sun's atmosphere.D) the thermopause.
d
33) A value for Earth's circumference was first calculated byA) Columbus.B) Pythagoras.C) modern satellite measurements.D) Eratosthenes.
d
37) Of the example stations, which of the following experiences the greatest moisture deficits?A) Kingsport, TennesseeB) Omaha, NebraskaC) Jacksonville, FloridaD) Phoenix, Arizona
d
39) A mass of air always becomes saturated when it reaches theA) highest temperature of the day. B) lowest temperature of the day.C) specific humidity point.D) dew-point temperature.
d
39) Winds that blow predominantly from the northeast and the southeast are theA) westerlies.B) polar easterlies.C) horse latitudes.D) trade winds.
d
41) If you were between 40° and 50° north latitude and you wanted to stand with the average winds blowing in your face, you would stand facing
d
42) A water-bearing rock stratum is called a/anA) water table.B) aquiclude.C) zone of aeration.D) aquifer.
d
44) The elevation at which the bottoms of clouds begin to form represents the elevation at whichA) dew point occurs.B) relative humidity reaches 100 percent.C) absolute humidity reaches 100 percent.D) both A and BE) both A and C
d
46) Which of the following best describes the direction of Earth's rotation?A) EastwardB) Clockwise.C) CounterclockwiseD) Counterclockwise when viewed from the North Pole; clockwise when viewed from the South Pole, eastward when viewed from the equator.
d
49) Which of the following is a potential source of ground water pollution?A) septic tanksB) pesticides and fertilizersC) dumpsD) all of these
d
51) Assume a warm air parcel at Earth's surface has a temperature of 21 degrees C (70 degrees F) and begins to rise upward. Assume it becomes saturated at 1000 m (3300 ft) altitude, and continues to rise to 2000 m (6600 ft) altitude. What would the approximate temperature of the parcel be at an elevation of 2000 m (6600 ft)?A) 7 degrees C (44.6 degrees F)B) 8 degrees C (46.4 degrees F)C) 9 degrees C (48.2 degrees F)D) 5 degrees C (41.0 degrees F)
d
55) The letters AM stand forA) after midnight.B) after morning.C) ante majolica.D) ante meridiem.E) after meridian.
d
59) The jet streams help controlA) the movement of high and low pressure systems.B) the movement of storms.C) the boundary between cold polar air to the north and warm air to the south.D) All of these.E) The movement of high and low pressure systems and storms only.
d
6) Which of the following refers to tertiary circulation?A) migratory high and low pressure systemsB) subtropical high pressure systemsC) general circulation of the atmosphereD) land-sea breezes
d
60) If a clock on a ship indicates that it is 2:00 PM in its home port, while another clock on the ship indicates that it is 12:00 noon at the ship's present location, what is the difference in longitude between the ship's position and its home port?A) The ship is 2 degrees east of its home port.B) The ship is 2 degrees west of its home port.C) The ship is 30 degrees east of its home port.D) The ship is 30 degrees west of its home port.E) The ship is 45 degrees west of its home port.
d
61) Which of the following is a middle-level cloud type?A) cirrostratusB) stratocumulusC) cumulonimbusD) altostratus
d
63) Which cloud type is specifically a good indicator of an arriving storm, say within the next 24 hours?A) fogB) cumulusC) stratocumulusD) cirrus
d
64) The Tropic of Capricorn refers toA) the parallel that is the farthest northern location for the subsolar point during the year.B) the location of the subsolar point on September 22.C) that parallel that is 66.5° south latitude.D) that parallel that is 23.5° south latitude.
d
64) The winds that blow off the ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland areA) similar to land-sea breezes.B) mountain-valley breezes.C) unrelated to pressure differences.D) called katabatic winds.
d
67) Cooling of a surface overnight that chills the air layer directly above that surface may formA) an advection fog.B) an upslope fog.C) an evaporation fog.D) a radiation fog.
d
7) The hydrologic cycle includes waterA) at the surface of Earth and in the oceans.B) in the atmosphere.C) at a depth of up to several kilometers below the surface.D) all of these are involved in the hydrologic cycleE) at and below the surface only.
d
70) Ocean currents are produced byA) the frictional drag of winds.B) the Coriolis force and water density differences.C) land-sea breezes.D) friction, Coriolis force, and water density differences only.
d
73) Air masses that develop over Canada are examples of ________ air masses. A) mTB) mPC) cTD) cP
d
74) A well-developed, newly formed cP air mass would have which of the following characteristics?A) cold temperaturesB) clear skiesC) high pressureD) all of these E) none of these
d
75) Which of the following is FALSE?A) The atmosphere exerts a force of 1 kg/cm2; i.e., 14.7 ln/in2.B) Air molecules exert air pressure through their motion, size, and number.C) Air pressure decreases with increasing altitude.D) Air pressure decreases through the troposphere then increases in the stratosphere.
d
8) Light travels at a speed of approximatelyA) 1,000,000,000 kilometers per second (621,118,012 miles per second).B) 300,000 kilometers per hour (186,336 mph).C) 80,500 kilometers per hour (50,000 mph).D) 300,000 kilometers per second (186,333 miles per second).
d
8) Which two gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect because of their ability to absorb infrared energy?A) oxygen and hydrogenB) ozone and dustC) nitrogen and oxygenD) water vapor and carbon dioxide
d
80) The Intertropical Convergence Zone is characterized byA) cold, dry rising air.B) cold, dry sinking air.C) warm, dry rising air.D) warm, wet rising air.
d
82) Orographic refers toA) convection stimulated principally by local heating.B) lifting along the edges of conflicting air masses.C) air mass modification and the formation of secondary air masses.D) forced uplift due to the presence of a physical barrier.
d
89) Which of the following is TRUE of the ionosphere?A) It primarily absorbs harmful infrared wavelengths.B) All radio signals pass through this region virtually unaffected.C) It is being depleted through interactions with human-‐‐produced chlorofluorocarbons.D) The region principally absorbs gamma rays, X-‐‐rays, and interacts with the solar wind.
d
97) In which of the following areas will thunderstorms not develop?A) in areas of orographic upliftB) in areas of surface convergenceC) along frontal boundariesD) under areas of strong high pressure
d
98) Which of the following is an example of an active remote sensing device?A) filmB) infrared sensorC) video cameraD) radar
d
99) Which of the following is a capability of a geographic information system (GIS)?A) data storageB) data manipulation and analysisC) map production with overlays of different information layersD) GIS systems can do all of these.E) data storage, manipulation, and analysis only
d
73) Which of the following is true of upwelling zones?A) They are nutrient-rich.B) They occur along the west coasts of continents.C) They are most common above deep ocean basins.D) They are nutrient-rich and along the west coasts only.E) All of these are true.
e
88) Which of the following statements is true?A) When air is cooled, its ability to hold moisture decreases.B) There is greater precipitation near the equator than near the poles.C) Winters in Siberia should be very dry, with little precipitation.D) Precipitation should occur when moist air rises over a mountain.E) All of these are true.
e