Deck 2: The Solar System,sun,and Earth

Question 1

The auroras in the upper atmosphere are caused by

A)visible light interaction with the asthenosphere.
B)the interaction of the solar wind and upper layers of Earthʹs atmosphere.
C)various weather phenomena.
D)AM radio broadcasts.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT true of sunspots?

A)They can be several times larger than Earth.
B)They are surface disturbances caused by magnetic storms.
C)They can produce flares and prominences.
D)They are brighter than the rest of the Sunʹs surface.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

On its way to Earth,the solar wind first encounters

A)Earthʹs surface.
B)the lower atmosphere.
C)the magnetosphere.
D)the atmosphere.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Earth and the Sun formed specifically from

A)the galaxy.
B)a nebula of dust and gases.
C)other planets.
D)unknown origins.

Question 5

Earthʹs magnetosphere is generated by

A)nuclear fission in Earthʹs core.
B)dynamo-like motions in Earthʹs interior.
C)gravitational accretion.
D)nuclear fusion in Earthʹs core.

Question 6

The Sun gives off electromagnetic radiation because

A)energy is converted into matter.
B)matter is converted into energy.
C)matter and energy totally annihilate one another in matter-antimatter reactions.
D)kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.

Question 7

According to findings from the Kepler telescope,the estimated number of planets in the Milky Way is with some in habitable zones.

A)50 billion; 500 million
B)1 billion; 25 million
C)300 billion; 125 billion
D)25 million; 3 million

Question 8

Light travels at a speed of approximately

A)80,500 kilometers per hour (50,000 mph).
B)300,000 kilometers per hour (186,336 mph).
C)1,000,000,000 kilometers per second (621,118,012 miles per second).
D)300,000 kilometers per second (186,333 miles per second).

Question 9

A magnetic disturbance on the Sunʹs surface is called

A)the solar wind.
B)the electromagnetic spectrum.
C)a sunspot.
D)a magnetospheric cyclone.

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE?

A)The Sun is also a planet.
B)The Sun is the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.
C)The Sun produces energy through fusion processes.
D)The Milky Way is part of our Solar System.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT true about our Solar System?

A)It contains 8 planets and 4 dwarf planets.
B)It is located in the approximate center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
C)It is embedded in the the Orion Spur of the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.
D)It is some 30,000 lightyears from Sagittarius A*,the black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

Question 12

When does Earthʹs perihelion position,the point of orbit when it is closest to the Sun,occur?

A)During the Northern Hemisphereʹs summer.
B)During the Northern Hemisphereʹs winter.
C)During the Northern Hemisphereʹs autumn.
D)During the Northern Hemisphereʹs spring.

Question 13

The distance between corresponding points on any two successive waves is known as the

A)wavelength.
B)frequency.
C)electromagnetic spectrum.
D)Kelvin.

Question 14

Which of the following is TRUE of Earthʹs orbit about the Sun?

A)It is elliptical.
B)It is perfectly circular.
C)It takes approximately the same time for Earth as it does the rest of the planets in the solar system to orbit the Sun.
D)The orbit does not vary over millions of years.

Question 15

The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of the

A)universe.
B)planets.
C)galaxy.
D)ocean basins.

Question 16

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe Earthʹs distance from the Sun?

A)Earthʹs orbit around the sun is presently circular and,therefore Earth is always equidistant from the sun throughout the year.
B)Earth is closer to the Sun in January (perihelion)and farther away in July (aphelion).
C)The Earth-Sun distance averages 150 million kilometers (93 million miles).
D)It takes light an average of 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth.

Question 17

Our planet and our lives are powered by

A)radiant energy from the Sun.
B)energy derived from inside Earth.
C)shorter wavelengths of gamma rays,X-rays,and ultraviolet.
D)utilities and oil companies.

Question 18

The basic idea behind the planetesimal hypothesis is that

A)planets form as a direct result of the nuclear fusion of nebular gases and planetesimals.
B)small grains of cosmic dust and other solids gradual accrete to form planetesimals that may grow to become protoplanets and eventually planets.
C)planets form from the remains of super-giant planetesimals that undergo nuclear fission and blow apart,thereby creating smaller objects the planets.
D)early in the solar systemʹs history,a star passed near to the Sun and pulled off gases that eventually condensed to form planets.

Question 19

Which of the following is FALSE?

A)The Sun and Solar System are part of the Milky Way Galaxy.
B)The Sun is by far the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.
C)Compared with other stars in the Galaxy,the Sun is average in temperature,size,and color.
D)The Sun produces energy through fusion.

Question 20

is a supermassive black hole sitting in the galactic center of the Milky Way.

A)Messier 31
B)Centaurus A
C)Sagittarius A*
D)The Orion Spur

Question 21

Which of the following is TRUE?

A)Because the Sun is so far away,it is impossible to measure the wavelengths of its radiation.1
B)The Sun emits longwave radiation,whereas Earth emits shortwave radiation.
C)The radiation emitted by the Sun and the are roughly the same wavelength.
D)The Sun emits shortwave radiation,whereas Earth emits longwave radiation.

Question 22

The dominant wavelength emitted by Earth is

A)gamma radiation.
B)thermal infrared.
C)X-ray radiation.
D)visible light.

Question 23

The uneven distribution of insolation by latitude is primarily a result of

A)variation in the value of a watt.
B)variability in the Sunʹs output.
C)the changing distance of Earth from the Sun.
D)Earthʹs curvature,which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.

Question 24

Which of the following is TRUE of the subsolar point?

A)The highest latitude at which it occurs is 60° N/S.
B)It never occurs beyond a few degrees of the equator.
C)It only occurs at latitudes between the tropics (23.5° N/S).
D)It occurs at all latitudes at least once throughout the year.

Question 25

The average insolation received by the thermopause when Earth is at its average distance from the sun is known as the

A)incoming solar radiation.
B)solar wind input to the atmosphere.
C)solar constant.
D)energy balance.

Question 26

Which of the following sequences is arranged in order from shorter wavelength to longer wavelength?

A)X-rays,ultraviolet,visible,infrared
B)Radio waves,light,heat,X-rays
C)Infrared,visible,ultraviolet,X-rays
D)Gamma rays,microwaves,visible,X-rays

Question 27

Which of the following is TRUE of the Sunʹs 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.

Question 28

The dominant wavelength of energy emitted by the Sun is

A)the same length as that emitted by Earth.
B)shorter than that emitted by Earth.
C)longer than that emitted by Earth.

Question 29

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 Sunʹs rays are perpendicular to this surface.)

A)North Polar point
B)Subsolar point
C)Zenith
D)Solar point

Question 30

Which of the following is characterized by the longest wavelengths?

A)Gamma Rays.
B)Visible.
C)Thermal infrared.
D)Radio waves.
E)X-Rays.

Question 31

The number of waves passing a fixed point in 1 second is known as the

A)wavelength.
B)frequency.
C)Kelvin.
D)electromagnetic spectrum.

Question 32

The Sun produces which of the following?

A)Mainly ultraviolet and X-rays
B)Mainly visible light and infrared energy
C)Only radiant energy that is beneficial to life
D)Only solar wind

Question 33

The solar constant is measured at

A)the thermopause.
B)the edge of the Sunʹs atmosphere.
C)sea level.
D)the Sunʹs surface.

Question 34

The thermopause refers to

A)the Sunʹs surface.
B)the solar atmosphere that extends into space.
C)Earthʹs magnetic field.
D)the top of Earthʹs atmosphere.

Question 35

Incoming solar radiation is called

A)solar wind.
B)insolation.
C)solar constant.
D)thermosphere.

Question 36

Which of the following is TRUE relative to insolation at the thermopause relative to latitude?

A)Annually,lower latitudes receive more insolation than the higher latitudes.
B)Annually,insolation is evenly distributed with little change by latitude.
C)Insolation can only be measured longitudinally,not latitudinally.
D)Annually,higher latitudes receive more insolation than lower latitudes.

Question 37

Radio waves have a wavelength than visible light and are therefore energetic.

A)longer; less
B)shorter; more
C)shorter; less
D)longer; more

Question 38

Which of the following is CORRECT relative to global net radiation?

A)The highest positive net radiation is in midlatitude regions,especially over land.
B)There is a latitudinal energy imbalance,with positive values at higher latitudes and lower at higher latitudes.
C)Global net radiation is,more or less,equal,at all latitudes.
D)There is a latitudinal energy imbalance,with positive values at lower latitudes and negative at higher latitudes.

Question 39

The emits mainly which is also called .

A)Earth longwave radiation ultraviolet
B)Sun longwave radiation infrared
C)Sun shortwave radiation radio waves
D)Earth shortwave radiation infrared
E)Earth longwave radiation thermal infrared

Question 40

The term ʺnet radiationʺ refers to

A)the total amount of energy received by Earth.
B)the difference in amount of incoming and outgoing radiation.
C)radiation emitted by satellite networks.
D)the total amount of energy radiated by Earth.

Question 41

Which of the following characterizes Earthʹs revolution?

A)It is responsible for creating the circle of illumination,and hence,day/night relationships.
B)It is clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.
C)It determines the timing of seasons and length of the year.
D)It takes approximately 24 hours.

Question 42

Which of the following is TRUE regarding Earthʹs axis?

A)The axis is tilted 23.5° from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.
B)Axial tilt is unrelated to the phenomenon of seasonal change.
C)The axis remains parallel to the plane of the ecliptic.
D)The amount of axial tilt fluctuates during the year and forms the basis for seasonal changes.

Question 43

The Sunʹs altitude refers to

A)the subsolar point.
B)how far the Sun is from Earth.
C)the angular distance from the equator to the latitude at which direct overhead insolation is received.
D)the angular height of the Sun above the horizon.

Question 44

Which of the following is TRUE of the September equinox?

A)The sun rises at the South Pole,where it will remain over the horizon for the following six months.
B)All latitudes on Earth,except the Equator,experience unequal daylengths.
C)The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).
D)The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 ° N).
E)The Northern Hemisphere spring officially begins.

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT true?

A)Earthʹs axis is titled 23.5° relative to the plane of the ecliptic.
B)The axis through Earthʹs two poles points just slightly off Polaris.
C)Throughout the year,Earthʹs axis maintains the same alignment relative to the plane of the ecliptic.
D)During the winter months,Earthʹs axis is aligned towards Southern Cross.

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT true regarding rotational velocities at different latitudes?

A)At 90° latitude,the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph).
B)At 60° latitude,the rotational velocity is 838 kmph (521 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).

Question 47

The elapsed time between two crossings of the equator by the Sun is known as the .

A)parallelism.
B)summer.
C)inter-equinox.
D)tropical year.

Question 48

Changes in daylength,the Sunʹs altitude above the horizon,and the Sunʹs declination over the course of the year

A)produce Earthʹs rotation.
B)are factors that follow an irregular,random cycle.
C)are phenomena that occur only at the equator.
D)are responsible for the seasons.

Question 49

Which of the following is TRUE regarding daylength?

A)The people living at 40° N or S latitude experience about six-hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.
B)Daylength varies more at the equator than at higher latitudes.
C)Nowhere on Earth does daylength vary by as much as 24 hours.
D)The equator experiences at least six-hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.

Question 50

Which of the following best describes the direction of Earthʹs rotation?

A)Clockwise.
B)Eastward
C)Counterclockwise
D)Counterclockwise when viewed from the North Pole; clockwise when viewed from the South Pole,eastward when viewed from the equator.

Question 51

Earthʹs rotation is described as

A)west to east.
B)north to south.
C)east to west.
D)clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.

Question 52

Which of the following is TRUE of the number of hours of daylight?

A)The number of hours of daylight varies depending on the latitude of the observer.
B)The number of hours of daylight varies the most along the equator.
C)The number of hours of daylight includes the hours between dawn and twilight,not just the hours from sunrise to sunset.
D)The number of hours of daylight varies the least at higher latitudes.

Question 53

Based on your understanding of the march of the seasons,which of the following is TRUE of Quito,Ecuador (0° 15ʹ N,78° 35ʹ S)?

A)Quito experiences days and nights of equal lengths throughout the year.
B)Quito is at a latitude that is never the subsolar point.
C)At noon on June 21st,the sun is directly overhead in Quito.
D)During the June Solstice,Quito experiences 24 hours of darkness because it is completely outside of the circle of illumination.

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the seasons?

A)The timing of Earthʹs perihelion and aphelion
B)The shape of Earth
C)The revolution of Earth around the Sun
D)Earthʹs axial tilt

Question 55

The Sunʹs declination refers to

A)the angular height of the Sun above the horizon.
B)its altitude,in thousands of feet,above the horizon.
C)the latitude of the subsolar point.
D)how far the Sun is from Earth.

Question 56

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding daylength?

A)The equator always receives equal hours of day and night.
B)The range of daylength is shortest in the polar regions.
C)The equator experiences six hours difference in daylength between the summer and winter.
D)Daylength is uniform at all latitudes throughout the year.

Question 57

At all times during the year,the circle of illumination

A)divides Earth into eastern and western halves.
B)divides Earth between equal halves of lightness and darkness.
C)divides Earth between Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
D)separates winter from summer.

Question 58

Which of the following cannot be attributed to the effects of Earthʹs rotation?

A)Daylength
B)Rise and fall of tides
C)Deflection of the winds
D)Deflection of the ocean currents
E)Latitudinal variations in net radiation

Question 59

The sunʹs declination migrates through of latitude annually.

A)47°.
B)23.5°.
C)66.5°.
D)133°.
E)30°.

Question 60

The plane of Earthʹs orbit about the Sun is called

A)perihelion.
B)the plane of the ecliptic.
C)a great circle.
D)aphelion.

Question 61

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres summer solstice.
B)The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is also the Southern Hemispheres vernal equinox.
C)The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres winter solstice.
D)The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres autumnal equinox.

Question 62

On the June Solstice,this area experiences 24 hours of daylight.

A)between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle
B)below the Antarctic Circle
C)between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle
D)above the Arctic Circle

Question 63

The Tropic of Capricorn refers to

A)the parallel that is the farthest northern location for the subsolar point during the year.
B)that parallel that is 66.5° south latitude.
C)that parallel that is 23.5° south latitude.
D)the location of the subsolar point on September 22.

Question 64

The Tropic of Cancer refers to

A)the parallel that occurs at 23.5° south latitude.
B)the parallel that is the farthest northern location for the subsolar point during the year.
C)0° latitude when the Sun crosses the equator.
D)the location of the subsolar point on September 22.

Question 65

For observers in the Northern Hemisphere,which of the following is TRUE?

A)Daylength decreases from the winter solstice until the vernal equinox,when it begins to increase.
B)Daylength variations are negligible for all locations throughout the year except above the Arctic Circle.
C)Daylength is longest on the summer solstice and is shortest on the winter solstice.
D)Daylength becomes increasingly longer during the period from the summer solstice until the winter solstice.

Question 66

Which of the following is TRUE of the March equinox?

A)At all latitudes between the poles,day and night are of equal length.
B)Moving south of the equator,the daylength increases,while moving north of the equator the daylength decreases.
C)In the Southern Hemisphere,it is known as the vernal equinox
D)The suns direct rays strike perpendicular at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).

Question 67

Based on the image,which of the following must be TRUE?

A)Hydrogen has a higher atomic weight than oxygen.
B)All but 0.001 percent of the atmosphere is accounted for within the troposphere.
C)The ozonosphere stretches from Earthʹs surface to approximately 50 km (30 mi.)
D)The ozonosphere corresponds with the stratosphere.

Question 68

The equinox

A)is when the subsolar point is at one of the tropics.
B)has 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night for all locations.
C)is the longest day of the year at any given place.
D)occurs four times during the year.

Question 69

Air consists of

A)a mixture of gases that behaves as if it were a single gas.
B)mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor.
C)gases that are not well mixed.
D)oxygen only.

Question 70

Based on temperature,the atmosphere is divided into

A)two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun.
B)four regions: ranging from the troposphere to the thermosphere.
C)nitrogen,oxygen,argon.
D)two broad regions.

Question 71

Why are humans and other living things NOT crushed by the pressure of the atmosphere?

A)Atmospheric pressure increases with altitude and is,therefore,lowest near Earthʹs surface.
B)Humans and other living things exert pressure outward,counterbalancing atmospheric pressure.
C)While the atmosphere exerts pressure,it is a negligible amount.
D)The tropopause serves as a buffer against the pressure exerted by the atmosphere.

Question 72

The longest days of the year in the Southern Hemisphere are experienced at the Northern Hemisphereʹs

A)spring equinox.
B)autumn equinox.
C)summer solstice.
D)winter solstice.

Question 73

Based on composition,the atmosphere is divided into

A)the troposphere and the stratosphere.
B)two broad classifications: homosphere and heterosphere.
C)one continuous region.
D)two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun.

Question 74

On Earth,the Sun passes directly overhead at 25 ° north latitude times a year.

A)4
B)2
C)0
D)1

Question 75

Which of the following relationships is INCORRECT?

A)December solstice - subsolar point is at 23.5 S latitude.
B)June 21 - subsolar point is at 23.5 N latitude.
C)September equinox - subsolar point is at 23.5° S latitude.
D)March equinox - subsolar point is at 0° latitude.
E)June solstice - subsolar point is at 23.5 N latitude.

Question 76

Three criteria used for classification of the atmosphere are

A)composition,temperature,and function.
B)structure,origin,evolution.
C)structure,origin,temperature.
D)composition,origin,evolution.

Question 77

The top of Earthʹs atmosphere is approximately

A)2,000 km (1,243 mi)above Earthʹs surface.
B)3,200 km (1,988 mi)above Earthʹs surface.
C)1,000 km (621 mi)above Earthʹs surface
D)480 km (300 mi)above Earthʹs surface.

Question 78

The longest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere are experienced at the

A)vernal equinox.
B)time of 24-hour days at the South Pole.
C)winter solstice.
D)time that the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
E)autumnal equinox.

Question 79

Based on function,the atmosphere has

A)five regions beginning with the outermost thermosphere.
B)one continuous region.
C)the troposphere and the stratosphere.
D)two areas that absorb radiation from the Sun.

Question 80

Which of the following is TRUE about Earthʹs atmosphere?

A)It allows gamma rays and X-rays reach the surface.
B)It is denser at higher altitudes.
C)The ozonosphere and ionosphere shield the surface from harmful radiation.
D)Variable gases are the dominant gases in the atmosphere.