The Atmosphere-Ocean System questions

QUESTION 1

The SECOND most abundant gas in Earth’s present atmosphere is

nitrogen

argon

water vapor

oxygen

3 points

QUESTION 2

What factor most determines the temperature structure of different layers of the atmosphere?

the different portions of the solar radiation they absorb

their depth and height above Earth’s surface

the degree of cloud cover on any given day

the amount of water vapor they contain

3 points

QUESTION 3

The stratosphere is much less turbulent that the troposphere because it

is thicker and provides more room for particles to move around

has a constant temperature with depth

reflects solar radiation outward, thus preventing the formation of wind

has a temperature structure of increasing temperature with altitude

3 points

QUESTION 4

What are banded iron formations and what do they tell us about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere over geologic time?

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4 points

QUESTION 5

An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would lead to which of the following?

more UV-radiation on Earth

cooling of Earth

less solar radiation being reflected back to space

fewer cases of sunburn on Earth

3 points

QUESTION 6

At which part of Earth does sunlight strike with a lower angle and get spread out over a larger area?

middle latitudes

equator

poles

over the oceans

3 points

QUESTION 7

What is the Coriolis effect? What influence does it have on the movement of the atmosphere?

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4 points

QUESTION 8

Why is heat transfer by conduction limited to the area very near Earth’s surface?

the ground stays warmer than the air

the atmosphere is thicker there

little solar radiation reaches all the way to the surface

air is a poor conductor of heat energy

3 points

QUESTION 9

Which of the following best describes a cause of wind?

conduction of heat from Earth’s surface to the upper atmosphere

Earth’s spin on its axis

movement of air due to temperature differences

movement of air due to different changes is water vapor content

3 points

QUESTION 10

Where are the trade winds found?

over the equator

at the poles

between 0 and 30 degrees latitude

between 30 and 60 degrees latitude

3 points

QUESTION 11

Increased sulfur compounds from volcanic eruptions can have what kind of effect on the atmosphere?

make it slightly cooler for several months

deplete ozone from the stratosphere

increase the greenhouse effect

filter out harmful UV rays

3 points

QUESTION 12

Reductions in vehicle emissions, especially a reduction in nitrogen compounds, would likely lead to which of the following?

growth of the ozone layer

enhanced greenhouse effect

reductions in photochemical smog

production of more tropospheric ozone

3 points

QUESTION 13

What is the major human activity associated with depletion of the ozone layer? Why is depletion of the ozone a problem and what has been done about this problem?

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4 points

QUESTION 14

Of the following gases, which one contributes the most to the greenhouse effect?

carbon dioxide

methane

ozone

nitrous oxide

3 points

QUESTION 15

What happens to Earth’s greenhouse effect when human activities lead to increases in methane, carbon dioxide, and ozone in the atmosphere?

the greenhouse effect is enhanced

the greenhouse effect is decreased

the greenhouse effect is completely depleted

the greenhouse effect is unchanged

3 points

QUESTION 16

The salinity of ocean water is primarily determined by the balance between

sunlight and darkness

evaporation and precipitation

condensation and sublimation

depth and temperature

3 points

QUESTION 17

Except in polar regions, ocean water becomes

more mixed with depth

saltier with depth

lighter with depth

cooler with depth

3 points

QUESTION 18

Which of the following best describe the surface currents of the ocean?

driven by density differences

driven by wind

driven by salinity differences

driven by pulls from Earth’s gravity

3 points

QUESTION 19

Flat areas that occupy the deepest parts of the ocean floor are called the

abyssal plains

guyots

oceanic trenches

continental shelves

3 points

QUESTION 20

Describe the effect that warmer oceans may have on global atmospheric carbon levels. What effect will this have on global warming?

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4 points

QUESTION 21

Water of the North Atlantic Ocean is

cold and shallow

cold and salty

warm and shallow

warm and has very little salt

3 points

QUESTION 22

The global circulation of ocean water is likened to a huge conveyor belt. How does this “conveyor belt” move and what is the general pattern of global ocean water movement?

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4 points

QUESTION 23

At which of the following points does cold water from the North Atlantic merge with other cold water and begin moving eastward?

near Antarctica

east coast of U.S.

near Australia

north Pacific

3 points

QUESTION 24

Why are some of the world’s most productive fisheries found near areas of coastal upwelling?

The coastal upwelling makes the water calmer, making fishing easier.

The coastal upwelling brings nutrients into the water that feed sea animals.

The coastal upwelling dilutes the salt content of the area, making it suitable for freshwater fish.

3 points

QUESTION 25

Humidity is

a measure of air pressure

the temperature at which water condenses

a measure of how much water is in air

the energy associated with moving air

3 points

QUESTION 26

The atmosphere plays the major role is circulating heat and energy. Ocean currents do not affect climate very much.

True

False

2 points

QUESTION 27

What symbol is used to designate a polar climate?

E

B

A

D

3 points

QUESTION 28

Which direction does the jet stream flow?

west to east

north to south

south to north

east to west

3 points

QUESTION 29

Explain the difference between a warm front and a cold front. How does weather vary with each type of front?

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4 points

QUESTION 30

Large mountains can block the passage of moist air, making one side of the mountain receive more rain than the other.

True

False

2 points

QUESTION 31

Which layer of the atmosphere is bounded on the bottom by the surface of Earth?

exosphere

mesosphere

stratosphere

troposphere

3 points

QUESTION 32

Particulates in air pollution are of concern because they may

carry toxic metals

make the air look dirty

accumulate in people’s lungs

all of the above

3 points