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Physic
Q:
In the tropics, the trade winds drive equatorial ocean currents
A) eastward.
B) westward.
C) southward.
D) northward.
Q:
The primary driving force of Earth's weather is
A) atmospheric change.
B) solar radiation.
C) temperature difference.
D) the oceans.
Q:
What is responsible for causing weather on Earth?
A) the presence of the oceans
B) the unequal heating of Earth's surface
C) carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
D) the jet streams.
Q:
Energy is transported from the tropics to the polar regions chiefly by
A) winds.
B) ocean currents.
C) interchange of carbon dioxide.
D) none of the above
Q:
Define the Coriolis force and explain how each of the following influences it: (a) rotation of the Earth; (b) wind speed; (c) latitude.
Q:
Why does air pressure decrease with height more rapidly in cold air than in warm air?
Q:
If the Earth were not spinning, what direction would the surface winds blow at 15 south latitude? Why?
Q:
Explain the statement: "At the same pressure, cold air is more dense than warm air."
Q:
What causes pressure differences to arise, and hence causes the wind to blow?
Q:
What is the underlying cause of air motion?
Q:
Surface air blowing inward to a center of low pressure can rise, expand, and
A) cool, often condensing into clouds that produce precipitation.
B) warm, producing generally clear skies.
C) cool, producing generally clear skies.
D) warm, often condensing into clouds that produce precipitation.
Q:
Movement of air aloft can influence surface air pressure; sometimes air aloft spreads apartit divergesdecreasing the mass of air above the surface. This causes the surface air pressure to
A) increase and surface winds to blow inward toward the center of highest pressure.
B) decrease and surface winds to blow inward toward the center of high pressure.
C) increase and surface winds to blow inward toward the center of low pressure.
D) decrease and surface winds to blow inward toward the center of lowest pressure.
Q:
Movement of air aloft can influence surface air pressure; sometimes air aloft piles upit convergescausing the surface air pressure to
A) increase and surface winds to blow away from the center of highest pressure.
B) decrease and surface winds to blow away from the center of high pressure.
C) increase and surface winds to blow away from the center of low pressure.
D) decrease and surface winds to blow away from the center of lowest pressure.
Q:
In general, cold days are associated with
A) high surface pressure.
B) low surface pressure.
C) snow.
D) a pressure-gradient force.
Q:
Warm air aloft is associated with
A) low air pressure aloft.
B) warm summer nights.
C) high surface pressure.
D) high air pressure aloft.
Q:
In general, warm days are associated with
A) high surface pressure.
B) low surface pressure.
C) summer storms.
D) negative change in pressure gradient.
Q:
Air currents are sensitive to changes in pressure and temperature. In general, air moves from regions of
A) high pressure to regions of low pressure.
B) low pressure to regions of high pressure.
C) high temperature and low pressure to regions of low temperature and high pressure.
D) low temperature and high pressure to regions of high temperature and low pressure.
Q:
The winds in a Northern Hemisphere cyclone spiral
A) clockwise toward its center.
B) counterclockwise towards its center.
C) clockwise away from its center.
D) counterclockwise away from its center.
Q:
The flow of air in the upper atmosphere is predominantly from
A) east to west.
B) west to east.
C) north to south.
D) south to north.
Q:
Because of the Coriolis force, a wind in the Northern Hemisphere is deflected
A) upward.
B) downward.
C) toward the right.
D) toward the left.
Q:
Which of the following is not a major influence on atmospheric circulation?
A) the Coriolis force
B) the unequal solar heating of Earth
C) the distribution of continents and oceans
D) the major topographic features on the continents
E) the local variations in gravitational acceleration
Q:
The magnitude of the Coriolis force varies according to two factors:
A) the velocity of the moving object and the pressure-gradient force.
B) temperature and pressure.
C) the velocity of the moving object and the degree of latitude.
D) frictional force and pressure-gradient force.
Q:
In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes all free-moving objects in the air to curve
A) to the left of their intended path.
B) to the right of their intended path.
C) counterclockwise to their intended path.
D) clockwise to their intended path.
Q:
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes all free-moving objects in the air to curve
A) to the left of their intended path.
B) to the right of their intended path.
C) counterclockwise to their intended path.
D) clockwise to their intended path.
Q:
In the Northern Hemisphere, air rushing into a low-pressure region
A) spirals in a clockwise direction.
B) sinks.
C) spirals in a counterclockwise direction.
D) rises.
Q:
Air moves away from a high-pressure region where it
A) sinks.
B) rises.
C) cools.
D) stops.
Q:
Air moves toward a low-pressure region where it
A) sinks.
B) rises.
C) warms.
D) stops.
Q:
The Coriolis force greatly affects the path of air circulation, and is the result of
A) global winds.
B) Earth's rotation.
C) Earth's tilt.
D) all of these
Q:
The wind blows in response to
A) pressure differences.
B) Earth's rotation.
C) temperature differences.
D) pressure and temperature differences.
E) none of these
Q:
Wind is generated in response to
A) temperature differences only.
B) pressure differences only.
C) the unequal heating of Earth's surface only.
D) temperature and pressure differences, and the unequal heating of Earth's surface.
Q:
The variations in the angle at which the Sun's rays strike Earth's surface give us the seasons. Name four physical factors that contribute to the Earth's seasons. (Hint: Think of the big picture.)
Q:
If the Earth and all things on the Earth are continually radiating energy, why doesn't everything get progressively colder?
Q:
How does terrestrial radiation warm Earth's surface?
Q:
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion has increased with population. Yet the amount of carbon dioxide emitted is greater than the amount found in the atmosphere. Where does all the excess atmospheric carbon dioxide go?
Q:
Atmospheric CO2 levels have reached 400 ppm and global warming is no longer a questionit is a fact. Explain three consequences of this trend in climate change?
Q:
Efforts to curb climate change need to be done on a global scale. There is no "one-size fits all", but efforts must include
A) education, mitigationpreventative measures of reducing CO2 and the shift to cleaner energy sources, and adaptationreducing society's vulnerability to climate change.
B) more data and research to see if global warming is a real threat.
C) global government cooperation to understand the impacts of global warming.
D) increased reliance on solar energy coupled with terrestrial radiation.
Q:
The evidence for present-day global warming include
A) extreme weatherheat waves and droughts.
B) melting of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice and continental ice fields and glaciers.
C) severe winter storms, and increased downpours and flooding.
D) all of the above.
Q:
The increase of atmospheric CO2 levels to 400 ppm has tipped Earth's natural greenhouse effect toward global warming. The rise of CO2 is due to
A) human activitythe burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) and deforestation.
B) human activityoverpopulation and increased reliance on solar energy.
C) human negligenceefforts of not recycling waste materials for potential reuse.
D) the industrial revolution and increased cloud cover.
Q:
Air near the equator averages higher temperatures than air near the poles because
A) polar air is cooled by ice and snow on the ground.
B) solar energy is readily absorbed due to increased levels of CO2 and water vapor in the air.
C) sunlight falls in a more vertical position at the equator than near the poles.
D) the oceans near the equator are warmer than those near the poles.
Q:
If Earth is closest to the Sun in January, why is much of the Northern Hemisphere cold in January?
A) It is cold because it is winter.
B) The Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun in January.
C) Solar energy favors the equatorial regions.
D) The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun in January.
Q:
Short wavelength radiant energy is emitted by
A) relatively cooler sources, like Earth.
B) relatively cooler sources, like the Moon.
C) relatively hotter sources, like the Sun.
D) none of the above
Q:
Going from most significant to least significant, the atmospheric gases contributing to the greenhouse effect include
A) carbon dioxide and water vapor.
B) carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxides, and CFCs.
C) water vapor and carbon dioxide.
D) water vapor, CFCs, carbon dioxide, and ozone.
Q:
The warming of the lower atmosphere (the greenhouse effect) results from the
A) absorption of long-wave solar radiation.
B) reflection of long-wave terrestrial radiation.
C) absorption of long-wave terrestrial radiation by atmospheric gases.
D) release of atmospheric gases into the ozone layer.
Q:
The Earth's lower atmosphere is kept warm by
A) solar radiation.
B) terrestrial radiation.
C) short-wave radiation.
Q:
If more terrestrial radiation were able to leave Earth's atmosphere than at present, we would experience
A) global cooling.
B) no change in temperature.
C) global warming.
D) more severe weather.
Q:
If the composition of the atmosphere changed so that less terrestrial radiation was allowed to escape, the Earth would experience
A) higher average temperatures.
B) lower average temperatures.
C) greater atmospheric pressure and higher temperatures.
D) no change in pressure or temperature.
Q:
Almost all of Earth's supply of energy comes from
A) the oceans.
B) Earth's interior.
C) the Sun.
D) carbon dioxide.
Q:
At the end of December, all of the Southern Hemisphere is in
A) darkness.
B) light.
C) summer.
D) winter.
Q:
Earth's atmosphere is similar to the panes of glass in a greenhouse, it allows the Sun's
A) short-wavelength radiation to enter, but blocks long-wavelength terrestrial radiation from leaving.
B) infrared light radiation to enter, and prevents the short-wavelengths from leaving.
C) ultraviolet light to enter, and prevents the infrared light from leaving.
D) infrared light to enter, and blocks the visible terrestrial light from leaving.
Q:
Solar radiation consists of waves principally in the
A) ultraviolet, visible short-wavelength range.
B) long-wavelength infrared range.
C) long wavelengths that cannot escape the Earth's atmosphere.
D) short wavelengths that cannot escape the Earth's atmosphere.
Q:
Daylight and nighttime hours are equal
A) during the summer and winter solstices.
B) during the equinoxes.
C) in mid-June and mid-December.
D) during the equinoxesmid-September and mid-March.
Q:
Earth's lower atmosphere is warm because of
A) incoming solar radiation.
B) terrestrial radiation.
C) cloud cover.
D) outgoing short-wave radiation.
Q:
The lower atmosphere is directly warmed
A) by incoming solar radiation.
B) by the emission of terrestrial radiation.
C) from the weight of the atmosphere above.
D) by the absorption of terrestrial radiation.
Q:
The tilt of Earth's axis greatly affects the
A) change of Earth's seasons.
B) hours of daylight.
C) intensity of sunlight that reaches Earth's surface.
D) distribution of heat energy, hours of daylight, and the change in seasons.
Q:
The angle of the Sun's rays striking Earth's surface greatly affects the
A) Earth's seasons.
B) equatorial and polar regions.
C) intensity of solar energy received at Earth's surface.
D) distribution of solar energyfrom the poles to the equator, hours of daylight, and the seasons.
Q:
In which atmospheric layer does all our weather occur?
Q:
Why do your ears pop when you ascend to higher altitudes? Explain.
Q:
The extremely hot temperature of the thermosphere has very little significance because
A) the dense air molecules in this region move too quickly to absorb much solar radiation.
B) there is very little ozone in the air to absorb the solar radiation.
C) there are not enough air molecules and atoms colliding with one another to generate heat energy.
D) the thermosphere is very far from Earth's surface.
Q:
The temperature of the mesosphere decreases from 0C at the bottom to -90C at the top. This change in temperature is a result of
A) a decrease in air pressure.
B) low absorption of solar radiationair molecules emit more energy than they absorb.
C) low air density.
D) all of these
Q:
Temperature decreases with altitude in the
A) troposphere.
B) stratosphere.
C) thermosphere.
D) all of these
Q:
Temperature increases with altitude in the
A) troposphere.
B) thermosphere.
C) mesosphere.
D) all of these
Q:
Your ears "pop" when you ascend to higher altitudes because
A) air pressure is greater at higher altitudes.
B) air temperature is lower at higher altitudes.
C) air pressure is lower at higher altitudes.
D) air is dryer at higher altitudes.
Q:
The ionosphere
A) is produced by the action of solar radiation and atmospheric atoms.
B) consists of ozone ions.
C) reflects solar ultraviolet and atmospheric atoms.
D) occurs at roughly the same altitude as high clouds.
Q:
The ionosphere is an electrified ion-rich area
A) in the uppermost troposphere.
B) where atoms lose their electrons and are negatively charged.
C) where air density and solar radiation is low.
D) within the uppermost mesosphere and thermosphere.
Q:
The ozone layer is a region within the
A) troposphere.
B) stratosphere.
C) mesosphere.
D) ionosphere.
Q:
The layers of Earth's atmosphere, from top to bottom, are the
A) troposphere, stratosphere, ozonosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere.
B) exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.
C) exosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, ozonosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.
D) troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the exosphere.
Q:
Going from Earth's surface up toward space, the atmospheric layers are the troposphere,
A) troposphere, stratosphere, ozonosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere.
B) exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.
C) exosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, ozonosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.
D) troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the exosphere.
Q:
As you ascend in elevation, the air generally becomes
A) warm and heavy.
B) warm and less dense.
C) cool and heavy.
D) cool and less dense.
Q:
The atmosphere is divided into several layers. The troposphere is the
A) lowest and thickest layer, where Earth's weather occurs.
B) lowest and thinnest layer, where Earth's weather occurs.
C) atmosphere's third and thickest layer.
D) lowest and least dense layer in the atmosphere, where Earth's weather occurs.
Q:
At lower elevations the air is generally
A) warm and heavy.
B) warm and light.
C) cool and heavy.
D) cool and light.
Q:
Air temperature and pressure ________ with increasing elevation and ________ as you approach sea level.
A) decrease; increase
B) increases; decreases
C) cools and thins; warms and thins
D) cools and becomes denser; warms and becomes more dense
Q:
Which would have the greater effect on Earth's ocean tidesa Moon with a greater diameter, or Earth with an increased diameter? Explain.
Q:
The Sun exerts almost 200 times more force on the oceans of the Earth than the Moon does. Why then, is the Moon more effective in raising tides?
Q:
Identify erosional features of the shoreline. Identify depositional features of the shoreline.
Q:
Warm climates favor carbonate deposition because carbonates dissolve more easily in cold water than in warm water. Name two types of carbonate depositional environments.
Q:
What is the most common depositional feature created by the work of the oceans?
Q:
As the Moon and Earth pull on one another, the oceans bulge about 1m on opposite sides of the Earth. In Earth's daily rotation, the area that passes the bulge experiences high tide. The time of the high tides fluctuates because
A) not all areas of Earth use daylight savings time.
B) while Earth spins on its axis, the Moon orbits the Earththe timing is a bit off.
C) as Earth spins on its axis, the Moon spins on its own axisthe timing is a bit off.
Q:
If the Moon were four times as massive but twice as far from Earth, high tides on Earth would be
A) higher.
B) lower.
C) no different.
Q:
If the Moon were covered with water, tidal effects by Earth would find the Moon with
A) 1 tidal bulge.
B) 2 tidal bulges.
C) 3 tidal bulges.
D) 4 tidal bulges.
E) no tidal bulges.
Q:
For lunar tides to occur in the human body,
A) most of the body would have to be in the liquid state.
B) Earth's gravitation would have to be incredibly small.
C) parts of the body would have to be appreciably closer to the Moon than other parts.
D) the body would have to be female, as evidenced by women's monthly menstrual cycles.
E) none of these