QUESTION 1
The SECOND most abundant gas in Earths 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 Earths 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 Earths atmosphere over geologic time?
Path: pWords:0
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?
Path: pWords:0
4 points
QUESTION 8
Why is heat transfer by conduction limited to the area very near Earths 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 Earths surface to the upper atmosphere
Earths 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?
Path: pWords:0
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 Earths 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 Earths 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?
Path: pWords:0
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?
Path: pWords:0
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 worlds 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?
Path: pWords:0
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 peoples lungs
all of the above
3 points